Michael Portillo

[PaulOfHorsham]

Am I, then, the only one here who watches Great British Railway Journeys and was startled, as well as pleasantly surprised, to see one of the group in conversation with Mr. P this evening?

[Aqualung]

Am I, then, the only one here who watches Great British Railway Journeys and was startled, as well as pleasantly surprised, to see one of the group in conversation with Mr. P this evening?

Was that the one where he went to a Labour Club in Nelson where they could tell he was a Tory because he hadn't paid for his tea? I couldn't stand MP as a politician but he's won me over as a TV presenter with his appalling lack of taste in clothing and his willingness to take on anything even if it makes him look like a complete tit. I still don't always agree with him on the late Thursday politics show but at least I'm prepared to listen rather than just hurl the TV through the window.

[Tris39]

Was that the one where he went to a Labour Club in Nelson where they could tell he was a Tory because he hadn't paid for his tea? I couldn't stand MP as a politician but he's won me over as a TV presenter with his appalling lack of taste in clothing and his willingness to take on anything even if it makes him look like a complete tit. I still don't always agree with him on the late Thursday politics show but at least I'm prepared to listen rather than just hurl the TV through the window.

I'm not sure if I trust his railway programmes. I saw an episode where he exited Machynlleth railway station then stayed the night at The George III Hotel . The next morning he left the pub and got back on the train at Machynlleth, despite it being an hour's journey - with a change - from Barmouth, the pub's closest station.

[Aqualung]

I'm not sure if I trust his railway programmes. I saw an episode where he exited Machynlleth railway station then stayed the night at The George III Hotel . The next morning he left the pub and got back on the train at Machynlleth, despite it being an hour's journey - with a change - from Barmouth, the pub's closest station.

I didn't see that episode but wondered if that Hotel was mentioned by name as it's quite a famous place. Morfa Mawddach is actually the nearest station and is sited at the old junction of the Coast line and the one to Dolgellau and Bala. It was an important station then rather than the little used halt that seems to occasionally serve the odd walker. I've noticed on other episodes that the journey described isn't always consistent.

[Tris39]

I didn't see that episode but wondered if that Hotel was mentioned by name as it's quite a famous place. Morfa Mawddach is actually the nearest station and is sited at the old junction of the Coast line and the one to Dolgellau and Bala. It was an important station then rather than the little used halt that seems to occasionally serve the odd walker. I've noticed on other episodes that the journey described isn't always consistent.

Interesting. My mate lives directly opposite the pub over the estuary. Perhaps Morfa Mawddach is nearer but less convenient on the London via Birmingham route as my mate always picks me up from Barmouth. Beautiful location though, and a walk along the disused railway line (now footpath with signals) to Barmouth is excellent; so is the stunning view from the mountain of the pub which I took with my crummy iPhone 4.

[Aqualung]

Interesting. My mate lives directly opposite the pub over the estuary. Perhaps Morfa Mawddach is nearer but less convenient on the London via Birmingham route as my mate always picks me up from Barmouth. Beautiful location though, and a walk along the disused railway line (now footpath with signals) to Barmouth is excellent; so is the stunning view from the mountain of the pub which I took with my crummy iPhone 4.

You would never call Morfa Mawddach "convenient" but if you were heading for Penmenpool on foot or by bicycle you would definitely go there. The four platforms and doube lines on both routes are long gone and there is now just a short platform with a crude hut on it, rather like Llanbedr further North where the hut disappeared in a storm some years ago!
The station was originally known as Barmouth Junction.
The Mawddach estuary is superb on the odd occasion when it stops raining.

[NickDavies]

I'm not sure if I trust his railway programmes. I saw an episode where he exited Machynlleth railway station then stayed the night at The George III Hotel . The next morning he left the pub and got back on the train at Machynlleth, despite it being an hour's journey - with a change - from Barmouth, the pub's closest station.

I expect the film crew had things like cars and vans and everyone stayed in the same hotel the whole time it took to make the show. They might well have had to do a train ride more than once if some dickhead ruined a shot by being being noisy or pushing past, as they do.

[AlanH]

Am I, then, the only one here who watches Great British Railway Journeys and was startled, as well as pleasantly surprised, to see one of the group in conversation with Mr. P this evening?

Great to see our top Midlands reviewer on the Birmingham to Stoke edition having a good five minute chat with Mr. P

[PaulOfHorsham]

Of course, I'd hoped the conversation would end with Portillo saying, "Thanks, Soup. Now; where can I get a decent pint of MILD round here?".

[Quinno]

Soup soup soup!