Michael Portillo’s Cornwall and Devon walk

Michael Portillo has emerged from his political career as an informative and engaging travel and railway enthusiast and presenter.

As he retired from politics at the end of the last Century many will only now know him for his television programmes.

On “catch-up” I chanced upon with his 2022 Channel 5 programme walking the coastal path of Devon and Cornwall.

I know both north and south Cornwall well and have walked some of these coastal paths, notably the one from Fowey to Menabilly.

The coast is rugged and the views out to sea breath-taking.

You might not agree with Portillo’s views (it’s unlikely his Spanish Republican father would) but the views of the scenery would appeal to anyone.

You also have to admire a man who is metropolitan and not a natural athlete taking on aged such an arduous walk aged 70 and testing himself in cliff diving, rowing and braving the Atlantic elements.

A friend of mine has a second home in Penzance and has observed that you have to be five generations of Cornish to be accepted.

My beef is that, with little local industry left, Cornwall has done very nicely thank you from tourists – as well as benefiting from much subsidy so might perhaps extend a warmer and more appreciative welcome.

Some of the people he meets on the way seem less by chance than arranged but this is still an engaging programme by a presenter who clearly thinks deeply about his retirement from the day job.