Hello my gorgeous tutu lovers! It's Emma here, fresh from a whirlwind trip to Basingstoke and feeling more sparkly than ever! Pink is, as always, the colour of the day and, wouldn't you know it, I found the most divine sporty tutu to wear on my travels. Yes, you read that right - a sporty tutu! Think delicate pink tulle, but with a little more structure and a whole lot of bounce. Perfect for leaping onto the train and bounding through Basingstoke's charming streets.
This trip was all about exploring a new city and getting lost in the world of ballet, a combo that always leaves my heart doing pirouettes! Now, you know how much I love a good ballet performance, but this time I was in for a treat - a whole weekend of ballet bliss!
We began at The Haymarket Theatre. A gorgeous old venue, it had an atmosphere that was truly magical. The performance was absolutely spectacular – graceful leaps, swirling tutus, and passionate storytelling. Honestly, I could have watched those dancers for hours. And of course, I felt utterly inspired! Afterwards, I couldn't help but spend some time watching the mesmerising choreography in the foyer of the theatre, imagining myself centre stage in a spotlight, shimmering tutu and all!
But before we get lost in dreams, let’s rewind to the train journey! The great thing about a long journey is having enough time to enjoy a good book, but nothing quite beats a window seat. Basingstoke rolled by like a film. So green and beautiful - all those countryside vistas made me feel like I was part of a classic ballet scene. Even better was catching a glimpse of a field full of wild horses! They were magnificent, just galloping across the open space. Truly a perfect blend of beauty, nature, and… well… tutu inspiration, of course!
On Friday, I was feeling truly inspired! It was time for a class. And not just any class. Oh no, it was a special "ballet street" session at Basingstoke's fabulous Dance Centre. Can you imagine - learning choreography on the cobblestone streets! It was like something out of a fairytale. I’ll admit, it was a bit daunting at first to dance with other people – I mean, let's face it, not everyone has the guts to embrace a tutu in public – but after a few pirouettes and pliés, everyone was feeling confident and bubbly. Honestly, those cobblestones made for the most satisfying “tap-tap” as we danced across the cobbled street. The whole thing had such a lovely, spontaneous, and uplifting atmosphere!
And what's a visit to Basingstoke without a trip to their fantastic market? I’m talking about stalls filled with delicious smells, handcrafted treasures, and a sense of genuine community. Of course, I managed to find a little something pink for myself. How could I resist? But the real gem of the market was a cute little vintage shop crammed with delightful treasures. Imagine my joy when I spotted the most gorgeous, powder-pink feather boa! You know me, can't resist a bit of feather-tastic fun. I had to add it to my collection!
I must confess, you really can’t mention Basingstoke without mentioning the iconic Festival Place! This mall has everything your heart desires, from boutiques to bakeries, and let’s not forget, enough yummy treats to tempt even the most disciplined tutu dancer. Of course, I indulged in some of those heavenly chocolate pastries. But no, I haven't given up on my pirouettes! They just require a little bit of fuel, don’t you think?
Speaking of fuel, there’s a reason I chose the train over car travel: because I found an incredibly quaint cafe nestled near the market. They do the best afternoon tea! Imagine a tower of fluffy scones, dainty finger sandwiches, and perfectly brewed tea, all served on beautiful, vintage china. They were serving up delicious cakes and pastries galore! But what made the whole experience even more delightful was that they had a little stage, and – get this – they were putting on a mini ballet show with live music! Honestly, I almost did a triple pirouette from pure joy!
But wait, there’s more! What trip to Basingstoke would be complete without exploring their charming river? After an afternoon of shopping and delightful afternoon tea, there was nothing quite as enchanting as a stroll by the picturesque River Loddon! We stopped to watch a group of swans, gliding majestically on the water. And then came the cherry on top of a perfect weekend: a visit to Basingstoke Museum! It’s tucked away in a lovely park with gorgeous flowers and trees everywhere you look, truly inspiring.
The weekend flew by in a flurry of ballet bliss and new discoveries. As I boarded the train back to Derbyshire, I felt my heart overflowing with joy and inspiration. I'd embraced my love of dance in a whole new way, from those spontaneous dance sessions to the grand performance, I discovered even more beauty in this lovely ballet life of mine.
Until next time, keep shining and don't forget, you're never too old or too shy to start dancing. Go grab that pink tutu, find a friend, and twirl into the world with all the grace and confidence you've got. Because when you twirl, you're celebrating the power and beauty of movement and expressing yourself!
See you soon, my lovely tutu lovers!
XOXO Emma
