Bernard Levin, Michael Portillo, Simon Sebag Montefiore
What do the three above have in common? You may be surprised by my answer: a Panama Hat.
Sir Ttevor MacDonald recently paid an affectionate tribute to Bernard Levin. . This tribute also included his travel programmes, made late in his life following Hannibal’s march and the length of the Rhein, in which he wore a Panama Hat.
Simon Sebag Montefiore presented a history of Spain over 3 programmes in which he wore his Panama Hat.
Michael Portillo on Channel 4 has presented a programme on Andalusia.
This is certainly one of my favourite regions and a few years ago so greatly enjoyed a trip to Seville, Cordoba and Granada.
Portillo’s first two programmes featured Granada and Malaga in – you guessed it – a Panama Hat.
A Panama Hat is useful headgear.
It’s portable, packs well and protects the head. Above all its quintessentially English. You would not call the above quintessentially English but required garb for such programmes.
