The Pyrenees with Michael Portillo
TRAVELOGUE 9PM, CHANNEL 5
In this new series, Michael Portillo is on a journey between the summits of the Spanish and French Pyrenees. He’s in a reflective mood – not only is he about to turn 70 next year, but he’s also thinking about his parents, who met in Oxford in circumstances heavily influenced by the Basque Country, which is where he begins his trip. Dressed in a warm coat and sturdy walking boots (not a pastel-coloured blazer in sight), he braves some grim weather but is rewarded with stunning landscapes. Those he meets include a miller who revels in his solitude, a former bootlegger (he’s in prime smuggling country) and a British writer who’s settled here. It’s a very promising start to the journey. ★★★★ JP