R2OK!

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6792

...with Michael Portillo on BBC 2 at 6-30 Mon to fri

A little gem of a series that returned to our screens this week...where we find out, through Mr P, lots of titbits of information about the places he stops at and how the railways changed them

Quite delightful early evening viewing

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

I watched this series the first time round and really enjoyed it

I like Michael Portillo and think he is far better at TV presenting than ever he was at politics although he has a good command of the subject

The series takes me back to the early 70s when as a sixteen year old I would buy either a Freedom of Scotland or Freedom of Wales ticket and travel around for a whole week on trains in those places stopping off en route to investigate interesting places sometimes on my own

If a sixteen year old did that today it's a fair bet the Social Services would stick their oversized noses in within a very short time
Happy days Very Happy

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becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6792

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Great Becky, I just assumed they were repeats

I'll be watching next week and try to catch up with this week's output Smile

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ColinB · Guest

I haven't seen any lately, but the first series was very good. Portillo does a very good job in researching, writing and presenting.

His family has close links with transportation - all across the Costa del Sol in Spain you'll see buses operated by "Automoviles Portillo" which is a family business.

becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6792

I was one of those cheering loudly when Mr Portillo lost his seat in the 1997 General Election because of my perceived view of him which was that he was a smug individual but watching him on this programme has changed my perception of him..if anything I think he is a little shy...his obvious interest in everything he comes across is a pleasure to watch...

Schizoidman · Joined: 20 Sep 2010 Posts: 1140 Location: Rural West Sussex

Portillo had been incredibly smug during that election and hadn't even done any canvassing, just assuming a Tory victory in his Southgate seat.

I love the railway programmes that he's doing, for the history, the scenery, the railway facts. TV at its best.
I like him on This Week. He's certainly better than the appalling Diane Abbott.

ColinB · Guest

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5747 Location: Hampshire

I loved the first series and am thoroughly enjoying this new one. I think he is an ideal presenter as he is obviously passionate about railways and their history. He's a little gawky sometimes when he meets and talks to contributors but that's all part of his charm.

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

This programme is back on our screens today on BBC 2 at 6.30pm

I've just watched today's episode showing a journey from Newcastle to Chester le Street which was really interesting

I don't know whether this is a repeat of the series back in January or a new series but I missed some of the previous ones so it could have been on before

Anyway I'm sure a lot of people on here like me will be glad to see its return
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Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7183 Location: North Yorkshire

They are all repeats, but well worth watching.
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iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I watched last night's on the iplayer and have set today's to record. Living in the area, we visited Soutar Lighthouse last year and saw the info notices re the lost village of Marsden--eerie.

Once started a course of training in the traditional Rapper dancing but simply didn't have the coordination for it. But it's a great sight.

Ian.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19300 Location: Cheshire

A great series and worthy of a repeat. Hope they will do another one!

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5747 Location: Hampshire

He packs a lot in and there's no waffle and no gimmicks. Everything is to the point. Lovely series.

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7183 Location: North Yorkshire

A new series started yesterday at 6.30pm on BBC 2.
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Pirate Johnnie Walker played my request on 11 April 2009

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19300 Location: Cheshire

I set the series record for this as they were excellent last time.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Great news for the New Year - one of the best things on television

I missed the episode today but I'll be watching from tomorrow onwards Very Happy

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becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6792

Nice to see this programme back on our screens ...it is a treat to watch.

Michael Portillo is a very disarming guide

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5747 Location: Hampshire

I love this series. Seeing parts of the country unfamiliar to me is always interesting but I revel in the programmes visiting areas that I do know.

FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5747 Location: Hampshire

My facsimile hard-cover Bradshaw's arrived a couple of days ago. A well-spent £5 from A*z*n Smile

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19300 Location: Cheshire

I think it's now in the book charts Eileen!

For anyone who is interested BBC4 are showing re runs starting tonight at 7.30. Not sure which series though.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Thanks Helen - I'll definitely be watching

I looked at Bradshaw's Guide stuff on E Bay but a lot of it seemed to be rather tacky and overpriced

I'll try where you suggest Eileen - thank you Smile

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Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19300 Location: Cheshire

I think it may be the first series which I think I missed Ruddles.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

The power and popularity of an innocuous teatime diversion on BBC2.

At least 15,000 copies of the facsimile Bradshaws have been sold, and publishers Old House are overjoyed. It's now £7.50, I notice.

As you might expect, it is quite a dry read, and very fine print - a magnifying glass would be handy. "Hello, I'm Michael" picks out the juicy bits, and of course the interest is in the places off-rail that he visits.

I'm mildy surprised that his rather paternal, or princely, manner, hasn't drawn some flak, but they have been very enjoyable, relaxing series.

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

It doesn't seem to be on BBC Four this evening for some reason - or at least not in the usual time slot Sad

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Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19300 Location: Cheshire

I hadn't realised as I have it on series record, although we are up to date with this week's.

Just checked RT and it's back on Monday. The series has 20 episodes according to series link info.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Thanks Helen -I never seem to get round to consulting RT these days

I don't think I've seen the first series before or at least not the very early episodes so I'm finding them really enjoyable Very Happy

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Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19300 Location: Cheshire

I'm the same some weeks with RT!

I know I posted that Monday's edition seemed to be a 'new' series but again on the Sky planner info it said 2/20 and it did seem we had missed the first leg of the journey but I've no idea when it was broadcast!

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

preraphaeliteangel · Joined: 16 Nov 2010 Posts: 249 Location: Yorkshire

I enjoyed the glimpse around the (very posh) Devonshire Arms Hotel at Bolton Abbey this week. We often go walking around that area but I've never been to the hotel. I remember years ago when I worked for the Yorkshire Regional Health Authority some of the big wigs had an away day (or it might even have been an away couple of days) at the Devonshire Arms - all paid for the taxpayers of course. Evil or Very Mad

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Most odd.
Episode 1 was last week, No 2 was Monday and in a couple of hours - 02.35 Friday morning.
It then jumps to No 5 on Monday 20th and No 6 on Wednesday.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19300 Location: Cheshire

Episode 3 and 4 were on Tuesday and Wednesday Ron. Strange programming though!

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Oops, so they were.
Following it on the BBC's page for BBC4.
No repeats for 3, 4 or 5 but 6 gets an early Thursday morning one, 3.40.

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

How do they expect keen viewers to watch when they keep swapping the times around?

I assumed last night's episode might have been rearranged because of the regular TOTP on Thursdays but even this wasn't shown

I don't want to watch The Sky at Night in a prime time slot - it's traditionally been a programme shown late at night for a minority audience and as far as I'm concerned that's where it belongs Mad

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becky sharp · Joined: 01 Dec 2008 Posts: 6792

Another delightful start to the 5th series of this popular and very interesting programme.

Monday...

Manchester to Birkenhead

On the first leg of a journey from Manchester to Chesterfield, Michael Portillo finds out how Manchester gave birth to a revolutionary political movement.

Beautiful trams and lucky Michael got to have a go at driving one!

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

Excellent. He's been doing the promotional rounds lately - and he must have been busy in the last year because he's also shot the European journeys series as well.

ruddlescat · Joined: 16 Sep 2010 Posts: 18010 Location: Near Chester

Great news - missed the editions so far this week but will certainly catch up Very Happy

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FleetingEileenM · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 5747 Location: Hampshire

Great to see Michael again. I quite enjoyed his European excursions but have to admit that I get a lot more pleasure from the UK jaunts.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19300 Location: Cheshire

I've the whole of the Continental series still to watch. I wonder if maybe an hour long is maybe too long though? I too prefer the British ones, maybe because they are just half an hour and often watch them in between other programmes.

H
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88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Colin · Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Posts: 916

I really enjoyed his journey from Madrid down to Gibraltar, largely because I'm familiar with several of the locations he stopped off at. I also thought it wasn't long enough!

I quite fancy doing the journey by train myself, in fact.

Toggy · Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 1239

I'm glad somebody posted about this as I had no idea a new series was doing the rounds. I have caught up with episodes 1&2 on iPlayer and thoroughly enjoyed both of them.

I like both the British and Continental journeys and would actually like the British one to be an hour long, half an hour flies by.

Great to see Portillo back, I think he's a superb presenter and comes across as a very likeable bloke.