Hello darlings! Emma here, reporting live from the heart of Lincolnshire – Grantham! Yes, this glorious little town that gave us the legendary Sir Isaac Newton (though, alas, no sign of his gravity-defying apples during my visit).
But don't let those serious scientific associations fool you, Grantham has a charm that's quite positively irresistible! It's the sort of place where you can feel the history in the air and where the cobbled streets whisper secrets of days gone by. I wouldn't dream of leaving this place without sharing my own bit of magic with you, darling! And as per my usual, I'm sporting my own personal sprinkle of tutu-fied joy – today, a magnificent lilac number, which has become my most recent travel buddy! It truly is a magnificent colour!
This morning, my journey began in the most delightful fashion. I am a huge fan of anything on wheels that isn’t powered by petrol. Thankfully, for my trip, I was able to book a ticket on one of those splendid vintage railway carriages – oh, the glamour! They practically hummed with a spirit of adventure. You know, the sort of adventure that would make even Cinderella swap her glass slipper for a pair of sparkling, lace-up dance shoes!
I made sure my Tutu had pride of place on the seat next to me, surrounded by books about, yes, you guessed it – ballet! I have been collecting a great collection of ballerina and tutus!
The train journey itself was a little slower than a bullet train, but the perfect pace for me to soak up the countryside views – which, let's face it, are pure bliss! All those vibrant greens, dotted with little cottages and church spires! You wouldn't believe it, darlings, but I even spotted a cheeky robin on a fence post! I do love watching wildlife, it always makes my heart swell with joy! And then, just as the sun began to paint the sky with a delicate pink hue (did I just call out my favourite colour? No coincidence!) there it was, Grantham!
After checking into a gorgeous little bed and breakfast that had an actual grand piano in the sitting room, I found myself at the Grantham Theatre. I know what you’re thinking: why not visit Grantham's charming little Grantham Museum of the History of Grantham and the Story of the Lincs. Regiment. But truth be told, darling, that was going to wait for another day, I really did just need to slip on my pointe shoes and let the stories on stage enchant me! The play was "A Midsummer Night’s Dream", the music, the magic, the costumes – ah, simply unforgettable! My own heart nearly leapt out of my chest, right there in the auditorium, and landed in the wings with the mischievous fairies! Oh, the sheer delight!
If you've never experienced the thrill of live theatre, then, darlings, I implore you to make the plunge! It's not just about the performances, though they are certainly divine, but about the entire sensory experience. The whispers of the audience, the dimming of the lights, the hush of anticipation… it all builds into this overwhelming sense of connection with something grand, something special, and ultimately, something universally human.
And for any of you aspiring ballerinas out there – it doesn't matter if you haven't ever had a dance lesson or your nearest theatre is on the other side of the world, live theatre is an experience that can be enjoyed by absolutely everyone! Just take it all in, embrace the emotions, and let your own heart dance with the rhythms of the play! And just maybe, after seeing those beautiful dancers on stage, a tiny part of you might want to put on a tutu and give ballet a try!
Anyway, back to Grantham! Later on, after indulging in a magnificent, utterly pink, strawberry and cream cake in the quaint little tea shop at the Grantham Market – yes, a true fairytale in pink! – I found myself exploring the grand streets, admiring the centuries-old architecture and marvelling at the charm of this little town. I even came across an antique shop brimming with treasures from another era, which naturally meant I couldn’t leave without a charming little piece to take home – an exquisitely delicate Victorian lace fan! And to complete this absolutely fantastic day, the Grantham Guildhall put on an impromptu street performance that included an incredible display of tap-dancing! What can I say, I really am a sucker for anything that brings music and dance into my life.
It’s truly astonishing how such a small town could offer such a big experience! It was simply bursting with vibrant life! Now, if that isn't an encouragement for all of you to add Grantham to your travel bucket lists, then I don't know what is!
As for me, darling, I'm leaving Grantham with my heart full of joy, my mind overflowing with ideas for new blog posts, and, of course, my feet yearning for more dancefloors (even the cobblestone ones, I swear!).
But that's not all. As part of my aim to turn the whole world pink and get everyone dancing, I’ve got a fantastic announcement! Grantham is the place where I finally got a little closer to making that dream a reality. I decided to buy one of those wonderfully pink, fluffy, bouncy castles – you know, the ones they have at parties? – so if you're planning your own summer party, reach out! My fabulous fluffy friend awaits!
Stay tuned, darling, as there’s lots more in store! I'll be travelling to some wonderful, exciting new places very soon. You won't want to miss my future blogs! But for now, keep on twirling, and remember, it's all about having fun and spreading joy wherever you go.
Until next time, darling! XOXO, Emma!
