Hello my darling darlings, it's your favourite pink tutu wearing, sparkle-loving queen, Pink Tutu Sparkles here, and boy, oh boy, have I got a story for you! You see, I've always loved a good seaside adventure, and Ramsgate just called to me like a siren song, beckoning me with its quaint charm and oh-so-pretty harbour. This week's travel was especially magical as it took me back to my childhood. Now, you may think it's a bit odd, a drag queen like myself going on about a seaside holiday. But hear me out, dear readers! This wasn't your typical 'bucket and spade' kind of trip, oh no! This was a pilgrimage for a fellow lover of all things pink and frilly - a pilgrimage to the magnificent Ramsgate Tunnels.
Yes, that's right, the Ramsgate Tunnels! Imagine, a network of tunnels hidden beneath the town, echoing with the whisper of history. You could almost feel the stories they held within their damp, dark embrace. As a little girl, I used to be absolutely fascinated by stories of underground tunnels, dreaming of hidden kingdoms and magical fairies. I think it's safe to say this childhood fantasy manifested in a big way as Pink Tutu Sparkles! After all, what's a drag queen without a little mystery and a dash of fantastical flair, eh?
As soon as I got off the train, I felt the thrill of adventure running through my veins! It wasn't a boring ol' train journey either, mind you, oh no! I travelled first class, being a drag queen is definitely glamorous! Even though I can usually afford a horse-drawn carriage (after all, horses and pink tutus - match made in heaven!), sometimes even I need a little help to get from Derbyshire to the coast. I settled into the plush, velvet seat, a delicate, lavender scented hand cream in my hand (you gotta stay moisturized, darlings!), and dreamt of the magical adventures that awaited me.
My first stop in Ramsgate was naturally, the Tunnels. I was ready to experience the thrill of exploring the Victorian-era network of hidden pathways! Now, if you're picturing some gloomy, spider-infested labyrinth, you'd be oh-so wrong, darling! The Tunnels were beautifully preserved, full of light and colour, and it felt like stepping into a history book, but with the best fashion sense! Imagine, stone walls adorned with murals of local scenes, twinkling lights that reflected in the pools of water, and enough space to host an epic ballet performance (if only! That would be a truly unique performance location.) I'm definitely picturing a tutu-wearing dance troupe - oh the spectacle! But then I realised I'd need to add some glitter, some feathers and maybe even a couple of disco balls - maybe in the next post I can convince the tunnels folks to let me do a performance down there. The tunnels were just begging for a little sprinkle of Pink Tutu Sparkles magic!
And talking about magic, the next thing on my agenda was a spot of ballet. Now, I'm no prima ballerina, but I love the elegance and artistry of the dance. Every time I watch a ballet performance, I feel like my inner queen comes to life - all swirling skirts and graceful movements. So, I headed to the town’s beautiful theatre - what an absolutely beautiful setting! They had the prettiest chandelier I have ever seen - it's totally making me reconsider a tutu upgrade to feature one as a headpiece, now wouldn’t that be fabulous? And the performance itself - wow! They truly had it all - exquisite costumes, beautiful music, and talented dancers who moved with such grace and passion that I almost cried a river of pink glitter! It was so inspiring that I even found myself reaching for a sparkly hand mirror, twirling and doing some graceful ballet moves in the theatre aisle! Everyone thought it was charming - except a fussy old couple, who kept staring at me and muttering "How extra" under their breath - well honey, extra is my middle name!
The next day, it was time to explore Ramsgate itself! Now, if you're looking for a place to experience some serious fashion inspiration, Ramsgate is the place for you! Think colourful houses with perfectly painted doors, boutiques full of independent designers, and seaside promenades teeming with people in vibrant clothes and unique outfits! For example, a family on a stroll in pink-tinted, flowery-printed matching tracksuits! My heart skipped a beat! How amazing would a Pink Tutu Sparkles tracksuit be? - pink obviously, but with sparkles - the thought alone is exciting! This gave me so many fashion ideas - a bright-pink, flower-power themed dress and matching oversized handbag - maybe a pink wig with floral accents? It wouldn't just be fashion though, I would incorporate my science background and feature fabrics with special characteristics like iridescent pink and UV reactive sequins that shimmer like the sun!
Of course, no trip to a seaside town is complete without some fresh seafood! Oh, honey, a seaside town in the UK, without fresh fish and chips! Can't even! So I devoured a plate of crispy cod and chips at a charming little seafood restaurant right by the harbour! I swear the salt air and the taste of fried fish was enough to make my heart sing. The staff there were all dressed in such bright, cheery colours too, so it really enhanced the positive energy of the day!
But it was the town’s colourful, Victorian arcades that stole my heart. Arcades crammed full of trinkets, quirky gadgets and enough vintage memorabilia to make your head spin. I could have stayed in those arcades for days, searching for that one-of-a-kind souvenir that screamed “Pink Tutu Sparkles!” (But my purse was protesting!)
Now, there's something a little special about watching a sunset over the ocean. You see, the sun slowly dips below the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of orange and purple - like a canvas splashed with the most beautiful, natural colours you've ever seen. The air takes on a quiet, reflective quality, and you're reminded of how small you are in the face of all this beauty. Well, Ramsgate gave me that special feeling - the sense of magic that fills you when you’re surrounded by the perfect blend of history and beauty. I stood on the promenade, feeling the cool ocean breeze kiss my skin, a glass of pink gin in hand (it had to be pink, darlings!) ,and felt so grateful to be part of this moment - and maybe a little bit glamorous too!
You see, my darlings, Ramsgate is more than just a pretty seaside town. It's a place that nourishes the soul, inspires the imagination, and brings out your inner princess.
I guess it really doesn't matter whether you prefer a ballet performance or a plate of cod and chips. The real beauty of a place lies in what you discover, how you choose to experience it, and how much fun you decide to have along the way. I chose to spread the sparkle and make the most of every moment! After all, isn't that what life is all about?
And remember darlings, if there is anything you want to do with Pink Tutu Sparkles in this beautiful world - don't be shy! Drop me a comment, send me a DM - let's make our dream world come to life! Until next time, my loves, stay fabulous and don't forget to sprinkle a little sparkle on everything you do!
Love,
Pink Tutu Sparkles
P.S. Be sure to visit www.pink-tutu.com for my daily blog posts, follow me on Insta and TikTok too, darlings! Let's bring some pink tutu love to the world!
