Post Number 9887 - www.pink-tutu.com
Hello, darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad adventurer, Emma, and guess what? I'm back with another travel tale, this time taking me all the way up to the lovely city of Carlisle, a real gem nestled in the heart of Cumbria.
Now, let's be honest, there's something absolutely magical about travelling by train. The rhythmic clickety-clack of the wheels, the changing scenery whipping past your window, and that feeling of anticipation as you get closer to your destination. It's like stepping into a storybook, and let me tell you, my little adventure in Carlisle was full of them.
My mission this time was two-fold: to explore the charming city of Carlisle, and to find the perfect spot for my next ballet photoshoot. As a ballet dancer with a heart for the stage, there's nothing more fulfilling than capturing that artistry in beautiful settings.
Before I tell you all about my adventures, though, let's chat about the outfit. Of course, no journey is complete without my beloved pink tutu, but today, I wanted a touch of fairytale whimsy, so I donned a shimmering pink tulle skirt that billowed in the wind like the wings of a fairy. I paired it with a white crop top, a touch of silver glitter around my eyes, and voila - a ballerina ready for a day of enchantment.
The City of Carlisle
Carlisle itself was everything I'd hoped for: charming, historic, and just brimming with character. The cobbled streets were perfect for twirling (just imagine the sound of the tutu swirling against the stone), and the old stone buildings whispered stories of a rich and colourful past. The River Eden, a glittering ribbon snaking through the city, added to the idyllic ambiance, and let me tell you, there's no better place for a fairytale photoshoot than by the water.
Now, you know I'm a huge fan of history, so I had to explore the magnificent Carlisle Castle. Standing proudly on the banks of the River Eden, its imposing towers have seen a lot of action over the years, and I almost felt like I could hear whispers of Roman legions marching across the grounds and Scottish warriors defending the city walls.
And what’s a city visit without some good old fashioned retail therapy? I found the most adorable shop nestled in a back alley - it was a little pink and white dream of a place called 'Tulips' - just my kind of style, darlings. I bought the most charming hand-painted teacups - perfect for afternoon tea and tutus with my girlfriends back in Derbyshire. I can already picture us having tea parties with scones and cucumber sandwiches on a lazy afternoon, surrounded by pink and glittery tutus.
A Touch of Magic in the Wildlife Park
Carlisle also holds the delightful secret of a wildlife park, where I spotted the cutest, most mischievous monkeys and peacocks. You know my obsession with animals, and the joy they bring - it makes me want to wrap them in tulle skirts, too! It's almost a crime to have so much beautiful nature on our doorstep, not to be embraced!
But the most enchanting spot of all was, of course, by the lake, where the reflections of the trees in the still water shimmered like silver, almost like a mirage. It was the perfect place to pull out my pink tutu and let it flow with the breeze, capturing some of that magic on camera.
Finding Inspiration in Dance
It's always the most beautiful thing when ballet seeps into the soul. It's in the quiet corners, in the rustling leaves of the trees, and even in the wild antics of the animals I watched. There’s something magical about the natural world and how it mirrors grace and strength, qualities that I think every ballerina should embody.
It’s also no surprise that my heart was drawn to a lovely ballet studio right in the centre of Carlisle. And wouldn't you know it, there I met the kindest group of dancers who welcomed me with open arms and gave me the sweetest, most inspiring classes!
We had a proper girly bonding experience in those studio walls, learning new routines and discussing all things tutus, and I think I just made some fantastic new friends! You know how much I love meeting new faces and being inspired by different stories and different experiences, and it’s important for us all to support each other and push each other’s boundaries, in pink tutus or not.
A Reminder of Why I Dance
Carlisle is truly a beautiful city, with history, charm and enough beautiful locations to give even a ballerina a serious case of photographic inspiration. I really feel like I've just taken a journey into the heart of a fairy tale, and my trip to Carlisle served as a beautiful reminder that life itself can be a magical dance. It’s all about letting your tutu spin and twirling through every adventure.
As always, I urge you to go out and live your best ballet life, and I promise, if you start wearing a pink tutu regularly, it’ll unlock an extraordinary new world of adventure, too!
Until next time, darlings. Don’t forget to wear your tutus!
Emma xoxo
www.pink-tutu.com
