Queen Elizabeth

[Keith Tindell]

A programme on BBC2 tonight at 1830hrs that may be interesting to some, Micheal Portillo is on the QE to see how they lay tables, and the history of Cunard steamers. The programme is called Great British railway journeys, KT

[happy daze john in oz]

A prog about ships called railway journeys???? Is this a governmnet programm????????

[Keith Tindell]

Strangely enough John, the presenter is an ex government minister, they get everywhere to earn a few bob,, KT

[Ivan Cloherty]

Doesn't he walk funny, like an automon, never moves his arms, seems surprised by everything

[cappy]

#4 ministery of funny walks

[Keith Tindell]

I was expecting more from the programe than him putting knives and forks on the table!!!, but at least saw some of the ship itself, KT

[alf corbyn]

portillo lost his seat at I think north Finchley and was moved a couple of times to other seats but lost those too. I always maintain that if you lose your seat you should be out not have another try. we are talking politics Mr Strange, not buses or cafe's.

[Keith Tindell]

Also saw on the programme the sad state of the Mayflower pier, many happy hunting hours there on the Wednesday night dance, prior to sailing the next day. Whenever i land on the ferry there from the Island i must have a smile on my face !! KT

[John Arton]

I actually enjoy Portillo's program on both Great British Railways and his other one Great continental Railway journeys as he offered some fascinating insights into many parts of Britain and how the railways have interconnected with many sea ports and the cargoes shipped from them. A lot of the U.K. railways were built to link sea ports with the industrial areas of the U.K. and there have been some fascinating insights into Britain's trade with the rest of the world and its sea ports. For instance their is now a derelict harbour on the Cumbrian coast that at one time was one of the busiest ports in the North of England (Its not Whitehaven or Workington) exporting slate, coal and iron ore.
Although not strictly maritime in nature the programs are well worth a watch as he uses a guide written in the 1850's to base his programs on.
rgds
JA

[Ivan Cloherty]

Also enjoy the programmes John, just commenting upon his walk and his constant surprise at everyday things, he maybe multinational, multilingual, just surprises me at what he doesn't, or appears not to know about everyday life, but it is a good way for couch potatoes to see Britain (and Europe) my neighbours think life ends after they've got as far north as Exeter