Hello darlings! It's your girl Pink Tutu Sparkles, signing in from the sunny (okay, it's actually quite grey!) streets of Newton Aycliffe! This is post number 7209, and as always, you can find it over at www.pink-tutu.com where I update my travels every single day. You wouldn't believe the adventures I've been on this week...
Riding into Town
You know how much I love a good train journey, so naturally, my first experience in this lovely little town was on a train journey all the way from my home in Derbyshire! My train arrived right on time, the sun was shining through the window, and my gorgeous new pink tulle skirt swirled around me in the wind! If only I had had my trusty pink tutu on hand to twirl in as well, but even without it, I was in a fabulous mood. The countryside flew by like a watercolour painting, a gorgeous patchwork of fields and houses. You wouldn't catch me on a motorway anytime soon!
The Magical North East
Now, I've never been to Newton Aycliffe before, but I'd heard wonderful things about the North East! It's such a vibrant area with friendly folk, rich history, and charming towns and villages. Even before stepping off the train, I could already sense the special energy in the air! You're in for a real treat today because I’m going to tell you all about my journey, my visit to the local library, my pink tutu adventures, and how much this place has captured my heart!
A Book Lover's Paradise
One thing that's really important to me is being able to get into a good book. That's why I love libraries - they’re full of so many stories! It’s also a brilliant place to meet people. As a performing artist, it's always important to chat with other people and stay inspired. I popped into the lovely library in Newton Aycliffe and was instantly captivated! The staff were so warm and welcoming and the shelves were just bursting with books! There was everything from vintage cookbooks and glossy magazines to poetry collections and graphic novels!
The shelves even had a little dedicated corner with a range of theatre and performance books, all just begging to be read. You could just feel the excitement buzzing within the library. It's the perfect place to spark a bit of creativity!
Tutu-rific Treats
While I’m not technically on a diet (don’t even ask! As a performing artist I need all the energy I can get), I’ve made some small changes to make sure I can slip into my stunning pink tutus comfortably. Luckily there's an adorable little cake shop next to the library with some truly incredible treats, and I have to say I was a little excited. There were so many colourful cakes, from chocolatey squares to red velvet, lemon drizzle, and raspberry and white chocolate. And of course, there was plenty of pink icing everywhere!
I indulged in a single raspberry macaron with a delicate pink sugar glaze - a perfect treat for a travelling diva! I even saved a couple of the delicious strawberry-lemon muffins to share with my drag family in the evening.
Meeting The Locals
The afternoon found me wandering around the heart of Newton Aycliffe, which is the historic market town! It's beautifully preserved, with little charming alleys and colourful shop windows. As soon as I turned onto the High Street I bumped into some absolutely darling ladies with their little girls! One of the girls was sporting a bright pink frilly tutu! I immediately squealed with excitement and did my classic dramatic hair flip, because any girl who's a fellow tutu fan deserves a special treat!
I had a proper chat with these lovely people and let me tell you, I love how friendly the North East folks are! The girls were thrilled to meet me, and even got a chance to ask about how I chose my fabulous name and even take some selfies. It's truly the little things in life, right?
Dancing With My Dream Team
Tonight I’m putting on my fabulous, feathery, sparkly pink tutu and my best glittery boots! The reason? Why, a magnificent performance of "Swan Lake" at the Aycliffe Arts Centre! It’s not every day that I get to go to a ballet, especially as a full-blown drag queen, but I'm really looking forward to seeing the ballerinas' incredible skill and elegance. And maybe even trying out some graceful swan movements myself!
Oh, and you won't believe this! It turns out the ballet director is also a huge fan of my blog! So guess what? I’m getting the chance to chat with her after the performance. I can't wait to get her perspective on the arts in this wonderful little town, maybe even steal some inspiration for my own drag performance. You’ll just have to read all about it tomorrow!
From Science to Sparkles
It might seem surprising to find a drag queen with a background in science. But for me, it's the perfect combination! While I love swirling and twirling on stage, I actually work as a scientist, a “Fabric Alchemist” as I call myself, in a lab here in Derbyshire. The way I see it, it's not so different to what I do as a drag performer. Both involve meticulous observation, attention to detail, a lot of creative energy, and, most importantly, passion. Both also involve transformations, pushing boundaries, and exploring the world around us. That's what I find fascinating about being a scientist and a drag artist. And don't even get me started on how fabulous the sparkly pink pipette covers I have in the lab are!
So, as a true drag queen who’s always working, I'm looking forward to another adventure. Newton Aycliffe, you've welcomed me with open arms! But as a devoted traveller and performer, I know it's just the start. This tiny town has got some serious character, and there's something magical in the air. And let’s just say, Pink Tutu Sparkles is all about letting out her inner magic, sharing it with the world, and always, always twirling in style!
Stay tuned for my next blog post, where I will delve into my adventures in Durham and share all my favourite hidden gems with you! Remember, darlings, you don’t need a special occasion to put on your pink tutu, it's about unleashing the magic within. Love yourself, be proud of who you are, and most importantly, stay fabulous!
Pink Tutu Sparkles xxx
