From Nordic Walking to Swan Lake
Copyright @ Birmingham Royal Ballet website
I guess I’m back to “normal” again, though I still drift off in daydreams of Portugal. Overall it’s been a good week. Much tramping about in leaves and mud with my walking groups. Definitely ended on a high. How could I get to this age and never have been to a performance of ballet?
The Birmingham Royal Ballet were performing at nearby Sunderland Empire Theatre and I was offered a last minute ticket when somebody dropped out of the group. Very serendipitous, and very lovely. I enjoyed every minute. We had a laughter-packed meal together beforehand at Luciano’s Italian restaurant. Quite delicious!
Maybe England isn’t so bad. Off to zumba soon, humming Tchaikovsky as I go.
Hope you’re joining in with Cate’s Six Word Saturday? She’s a lovely hostess. The header and links explain what it’s all about.
Swan Lake was my 5th birthday treat from an Aunt, Margot Fonteyn and Robert Helpmann. Always loved, never forgotten.
Aw, glad to’ve stirred nice memories, Viv.
Holiday blues are the worst
I know. Part of me feels ungrateful. It really was lovely and I know I’m lucky to have been able to go. But I so wish I was back there… Planning, scheming and daydreaming again.
Hi Jo, welcome back. “We have arrived!”
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Hi Jim! I take it you’re in the UK? I’ll pop over to yours later to confirm.
I’ve never been to a live performance of a Ballet, each time I fly into Birmingham I hope that the Royal Ballet will be there but so far to no avail. Better luck next time. So glad you enjoyed yourself.
It was really beautiful, Gerty. As someone who is completely uncoordinated, I could only gawp! You’ll make it- it’s taken me a while!
I really do hope so.
Welcome back, JB. Ballet seems like a great way to decompress, re-enter.
Funny, Ron. My husband calls our son JB. (he’s a James) I looked over my shoulder to see if you meant him? Can’t quite imagine him at the ballet but it’s a fun thought. I loved it, anyway.
What a lovely mix of tastes you have – Portugal, blogging, ballet, Tchaikovsky and zumba. I must admit to never having been to the ballet either, in a houseful of males I’d be challenged to find someone to go with.
I actually went with my Nordic walking friends, Fi. My husband looked askance too!
I am planning to learn nordic walking- and I adore Swan Lake- can’t tell you how often I have seen it performed. But haven’t tried Zumba yet…eeek.Happy SWS.
You just need to live long enough to fit everything in. It’s a constant challenge. Pilates is my next “must do” but I’m struggling.
I’ve never been to a ballet either – glad you enjoyed it. Blessings!
Thank you. It was so delicate and beautiful.
How lovely to go to see ‘Swan Lake’. I never have. Enjoy the Zumba and the mud tramping. All sounds good over there.
Hey, it could be so much worse. What’s a bit of mud!
Glorious mud!
I have ALWAYS wanted to see that ballet..
It was lovely, Brenda. I’m hopping round the kitchen, flapping my wings today. (sight for sore eyes!)
brought back lovely memories – I remember going to see this when I was a child! fab!
I am completely in awe of the muscle power and control to do all those pirouettes, Aly! I can fall over crossing the street.
Sounds like a lovely adventure! I’d love to see a ballet someday. I shall put that on my bucket list!
Happy Saturday!
Oh, the dreaded bucket list! Have a good weekend, Linda.
It was the first ballet I saw aged about 7 at Covent Garden – all the seats had been taken out and we paid a pound and sat on the floor. Magical memories and the start of a love affair with ballet. Thanks for bringing back the happy memories!
Aww, that’s nice. We were a little more upmarket in the plush red velvet, (for the old bones) but the dancing’s the important thing, and it was superb.
I’ve never had the opportunity to attend a ballet, but someday I hope to! This was such a lovely happenstance for you, and I smiled to think of you there!
Thanks Josie. The highbrow me came out of the closet. It was very uplifting (the ballerina, fortunately- not me!)
I have been lucky enough to go to the ballet many times. I think my favourite ballet is The Nutcracker. My favourite Swan Lake was probably the Matthew Bourne version where the swans were danced by male dancers – caused quite a stir at the time.
I vaguely remember that, Elaine, but having seen the grace and beauty of the cygnets, I’m not sure that I’d like it.
I wasn’t sure about it before I saw it, but it was wonderful. They had a different type of grace.
Always dance away the blues! even by yourself! I love England….so far all my visits there have been wonderful! This is a stunning photo too!
Yes, dancing in any form is great, Karen. I’m a huge “Strictly Come Dancing” fan. Just had my weekly “fix”.
I went to my first ballet (Alice) in my mid-forties and fell in love. I’m dying to see another. Lucky you to see Swan Lake!
I hadn’t thought much about it till I was offered a ticket, Tilly. It’s really not the same on TV, and the husband usually flicks the channel off anyway. I loved it.
Great image Jo and I`m happy for your travel,Thanks for sharing my friend
Thanks Jake. I’ve been busy with azulejos and the Douro posts all week, but I’m back to yours today.
It’s hard to settle in after holidays – but you’ve done very well with Swan Lake (it was the first live ballet I ever saw)
I loved that I knew all the music, Dianne. And it always amazes me that they look such delicate little creatures but they have such control and strength.
Hiking shoes to ballet shoes..love it. My youngest daughter works for the Tulsa ballet as box office manager. I not only get to see ballets, but get to know the dancers also.
Now that must be amazing, Suzie. I have to stick to the hiking boots I’m afraid. I love to dance but there’s no skill involved- just enthusiasm!
Your photos are amazing. I am always amazed at how beautiful the world is around us and how many people are lucky enough to capture those moments.
Confessions time, Austine- this is a Birmingham Royal Ballet clip. They didn’t allow photos in the theatre. I should add a credit but was in a hurry at the time! Apologies.
“Off to zumba soon, humming Tchaikovsky as I go”
Don’t know about Zumba, but I do hope I get to watch a live ballet someday.
Doesn’t sound like England at all
It took me a long time, Madhu, but I really loved it.
Wow, Jo! hat is such a striking, heart-felt shot! I can almost feel their emotions. Nice capture. And no, England isn’t so bad sometimes…
I was almost evicted for trying to take photos, Tahira, so I borrowed this shot from Birmingham Royal Ballet’s website. I wish I was this good.
Where did you go in Portugal? Did you like it here?
Love it! We have a home in Tavira in the Algarve, and are regularly there, but this trip we started in Porto. We spent a couple of days in the Douro valley before boating back to Porto (a fabulous experience), then finally to the Algarve. My last couple of posts have been azulejo-crazy!
Glad to hear that. If you like azulejos, did you ever see Santarem’s train station? It has a beautiful azulejo’s panel.
Not yet. I’m steadily working my way around Portugal, so will put this one on the list. We’ve passed close by but never been into the city.