Hello my beautiful ballet-loving bunch!
It's Emma here, your pink-tutu-clad travel companion, back with another whirl-wind adventure! Today I'm all about the magic of Surbiton. Yes, you heard me right - Surbiton! Now, this place might not be on the top of every ballerina's travel list, but for me, it was the perfect destination for a day filled with twirls, trains, and a healthy dose of wildlife spotting.
Now, some of you might be wondering why Surbiton? Well, firstly, it’s a mere 20 minutes on the train from London Waterloo. Let's face it, a little break from the bustling city is always welcome. I simply had to jump aboard that train! Second, my dearest darling (and yes, he wears pink too!) told me about this absolutely divine little cafe in Surbiton, with delicious scones and even more divine teas. He swears the cakes are made with pixie dust (or maybe that's just him being poetic!)
After a morning train ride filled with dreams of sugar-dusted pastries and pinks of every hue (my obsession is legendary!), Surbiton finally greeted me with its charming Victorian charm. Now, you wouldn’t think that Surbiton would have any link to my world of dance, right? Well, hold your pirouettes – I discovered the cutest ballet studio! Nestled within a picturesque Victorian building, The Dance Place in Surbiton is truly a hidden gem. Their classes were a mix of traditional and contemporary ballet, which totally appealed to my artistic spirit. The instructors were warm and welcoming, making it a safe and joyful space for me to lose myself in movement.
The lovely instructors suggested that I should visit the Richmond Theatre to catch the touring production of Swan Lake. "Just a hop skip and jump away," they told me! Richmond Theatre is an elegant venue, steeped in theatrical history, and as soon as I saw the stage, I knew I had to have my picture taken with it – the quintessential tutu moment!
And because a trip to Surbiton would be incomplete without a spot of nature, we found ourselves by the lovely banks of the River Thames, where I, quite accidentally, managed to snap some incredible pictures of swans with cygnets. My goodness, these swans were totally rocking a sophisticated black and white palette – pure style! They might be wearing feather “tutus,” but there’s no denying their elegant posture and graceful movements! If anything, those swans really had me wondering if a ballet inspired by avian life might be just the thing!
After an evening of reflection and a bit of post-swan-watching inspiration, I had a feeling it was time to return to my London apartment for a much-needed dance session (and some more dreamy cake, of course!)
My Surbiton journey was, as ever, filled with so much inspiration. Whether it's a small village like this, a ballet studio, or a theatrical production, my love for pink, my love for tutus, and my love for ballet seems to blossom at every turn.
I leave you now with this simple message: Don't be afraid to explore! Pick a train, grab a friend, or even pack your own picnic and embrace the joy of discovery, whether that’s discovering the elegance of Swan Lake in a historic theatre, the joy of a ballet studio in a charming Victorian building, or the beauty of nature, swan-style, on a picturesque riverbank! Remember, there are pink tutus waiting for you to wear them, and stories waiting to be written.
Till next time, darlings, keep twirling! And never forget, wear your pink tutu with pride!
xx
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
