Hello my darling dancers! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing, ballet-obsessed blogger, bringing you a brand-new adventure from the sunny (and oh so windy!) seaside town of Bournemouth.
I know, I know, you're thinking, Bournemouth? A seaside town? What's the ballet connection? Well, my darlings, this is Emma we're talking about! You see, a true ballerina always knows where to find beauty, and this charming seaside town certainly boasts it in spades. I'm talking pastel-coloured Victorian architecture, rolling hills overlooking the sparkling sea, and even a smattering of charming boutique ballet shops. This is definitely my kind of place.
But let's back up a bit. This jaunt to Bournemouth started as a grand adventure, beginning with a train journey that felt straight out of a Jane Austen novel. Imagine this: a perfectly sunny afternoon, fields of golden wheat rolling past the carriage window, a charming gentleman in a tweed jacket reading a newspaper... except it wasn't quite as picturesque as I'd hoped. A certain "pink tutu" and a slightly outlandish collection of ballet bags hanging from the luggage rack might not have entirely fitted in with the scene, but hey, it's just me adding my own little je ne sais quoi, right? 😉
First stop: the ballet shops! I mean, it wouldn't be a true Emma adventure without a spot of retail therapy, wouldn't it? Let's just say I stumbled upon a little gem of a boutique hidden down a quaint side street. A veritable treasure trove of leotards, tights, tutus and ballet shoes, it was a dancer's dream come true. They even had a beautiful pale pink tutu with a scattering of diamante detailing. Needless to say, I left with a whole armful of goodies (including that very same tutu, naturally!) and a huge smile plastered on my face.
A Walk Along the Beach
Then, with the wind whipping my (rather tight, might I add) pink tutu, I took a stroll along the promenade. The sand, soft and golden, felt perfect beneath my toes. The scent of salty air and the sound of waves crashing on the shore - pure bliss! I'm not going to lie, a little bit of me wanted to pull a graceful pirouette on the beach, but the gusts of wind and the potential for a face plant (not a good look for my Instagram feed) quickly deterred me. A walk, admiring the beauty of the coast, was more than enough for this ballerina.
Exploring the Town
Of course, I wouldn't be Emma if I didn't seek out some ballet inspiration. Bournemouth, believe it or not, has its own Little Theatre which holds a wide array of performance arts events. They even had a ballet class open to the public that afternoon. You can't say no to a spontaneous ballet lesson, can you?
I have to admit, being surrounded by locals in an impromptu ballet class, doing pirouettes and arabesques, with the sounds of seagulls in the background... well, it just felt utterly charming. A delightful way to spend the afternoon, if I do say so myself.
Dining like a Ballerina
Evening rolled in with a beautiful dusky sunset painting the sky in hues of peach and violet. The day called for a meal, and my dear reader, a meal fit for a ballerina. I found a tiny, charming Italian restaurant that oozed dolce vita. Think: dim lighting, flickering candles, delicious pasta dishes with a glass of chilled Prosecco. It felt very much like the sort of restaurant I'd imagine Giselle or Swan Lake's Odette dining at, no? It’s true, some things are simply just too perfect.
Ballet dreams in the air
This day trip to Bournemouth has definitely solidified one thing for me - you can find ballet magic anywhere. Whether it's in a charming seaside town or a big city centre, the world is overflowing with opportunities to find the dancer within. The important thing is to embrace the journey, appreciate the small things and never stop twirling!
Final thought
Of course, my adventures wouldn't be complete without a little advice for you, my dear readers! If you are a fellow ballerina with a love for tutus and travelling, let me tell you - there are so many enchanting places out there to explore, ballet related or otherwise!
So, pack your ballet shoes and your biggest smile, take a leap of faith and let's tumble into some exciting adventures! Don't forget to tag your favourite ballet photos on Instagram with #pinktutu – I’m always searching for inspiring ballet fashionistas!
See you next time!
Lots of love,
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
