Post #1160
Hello darlings! It's your favourite Pink Tutu Queen, back with another adventure, and this time we're taking a trip to the fabulous seaside town of Barrow in Furness! I know what you're thinking – "Barrow in Furness?! Isn't that a bit, well, grey?"
But my dears, you'd be surprised! It turns out Barrow has a vibrant arts scene, a fantastic harbour, and some of the most gorgeous countryside you'll find in all of Cumbria. I wouldn't be here, strutting my pink tutu stuff if it weren't true!
This is actually a pretty special trip for me. You see, back in the day – before I became Pink Tutu Sparkles, back when I was just a science-obsessed lad called Alex – I had a real hankering for all things dramatic. But it was a secret passion, tucked away in my little Derbyshire heart.
Then one fateful day, I went to a charity event with the university ballet club. The highlight, for me, was the dress-up. And wouldn't you know it – they had a glorious, sparkling pink tutu! I tried it on, and that, my lovelies, was that. That's when the pink tutu bug really bit!
Now, back to the journey. You all know how much I love the romance of the rails! It took me just a few hours from Derbyshire, snoozing off to a symphony of gentle rattling, and before I knew it, I was being welcomed by the beautiful Barrow in Furness station.
First stop – the most adorable little vintage shop I've ever seen, packed with feather boas, sequins, and glitter, ready for a drag queen like me! It reminded me of my own wardrobe at home, only, well, bigger!
And you can bet your bottom dollar I didn't leave empty handed. Now, I love to mix and match. And my trusty suitcase is home to so many tulle treats. From delicate ballerina skirts to flamboyant feathered beauties, each one holds a special memory.
Next, I had to pay a visit to Barrow's gorgeous town hall! Not only did it provide a dramatic backdrop for a fabulous photo shoot, but it was also home to the fascinating history of this wonderful seaside town. I found out all about its maritime history, and it’s just so interesting to see how places like this have developed over time!
Then, darling, I was off to the theatre. It was the kind of place that felt like magic: low lights, red velvet seats, a faint whiff of old-world charm. That evening, they were hosting a young local talent competition! What a wonderful opportunity to discover some emerging performers – and hopefully, I may have even been an inspiration to a young wannabe tutu queen or two!
And then, the final hurrah! I’d been keeping an eye out all day for the perfect location for a proper, sparkly photo shoot in full drag. My friend on Twitter recommended The Furness Railway. It felt almost theatrical! With the majestic hills and valleys in the background and that gorgeous sunset - truly the stuff of a drag queen’s dream.
What’s been most fantastic is that I've met some truly kind and enthusiastic people here. People who embraced Pink Tutu Sparkles with open arms! The energy of Barrow has truly been uplifting. Even those who didn’t seem as "into" the glitter had a wonderful, warm smile and were super keen to chat! I swear, you could sense the energy and kindness just bubbling up!
It's times like these when I remember why I do what I do. I'm not just here to bring the glam – I want to inspire people to wear their hearts on their sleeves, to embrace their inner sparkle. To embrace the pink! And Barrow has really embraced me – a total drag queen success story.
I know some of you will be reading this thinking "Barrow?! What a weird place to visit." Well, darling, it’s all about having an open mind, being curious, and finding the joy in unexpected places. Barrow has shown me that it's not the size or location of a place that matters, it’s the people and the energy you find there. And Barrow has truly stolen my heart!
And what about the tutus? Yes, my darlings, of course, I took plenty of opportunities to wear my very favourite bright pink one while I was in town! From my shopping spree to my performance and photoshoot, I twirled with confidence and spread that fabulous pink joy around this fantastic seaside town. And if it encourages anyone to find their inner sparkle and wear a tutu - even just a pink ribbon on their hair – that’s a big win for me.
Till next time, darlings, and remember…
Stay sparkly and embrace the pink!
