Over the pandemic, I found a new TV show, that’s become my favourite. It’s Micheal Portillos Great British Railway Journeys. Although I do like his Contintental series aswell. And the others are good too.
When I couldn’t go anywhere, he took me round the world. To Europe, Australia, America, Asia, in so many series. I could discover all these wonderfully beautiful places, learn more about the world, and the people and places in it. I didn’t feel so trapped, so isolated, with his railway journeys.
So his shows quickly became my favourite. And they still are. I do like other travel programmes. But his are my favourite. You always learn something, with Micheal Portillo. He’s good at explaining things and always makes it easy to understand, and even enjoyable. There’s always something new to discover, a new fact about a town or railway station that you never would have known. His enthusiasm for knowledge is hard to resist, and you can tell he enjoys learning, trains, and adventures. He’s not afraid to ask questions and tackle larger issues, and even go out of his comfort zone to discover something new.
He’s always full of kindness, and hope. He’s always happy to try anything, admit he makes mistakes. He’s always happy to try new languages or different food, to experience the culture and connect with everyone and anyone.
It’s a quiet show, and it comforts me, with its gentle soundtrack. It calms me, and the bass clarinet staccato solos make me smile, helping me find joy when mine has run out. The short episodes make it easy to concentrate, something i find difficult with long run times in other shows. It’s always on after work, and has become my reward after long days.
And he inspires me. He doesn’t let anything stop him, whether it’s his abilities or his age. And I admire that about him. He’s even inspired a character in my novella, an older explorer.
My sister mocks my love of his railway journeys. She says there’s too much of them on tv. But I love them. And I won’t give up the things I love.
