Portmeirion

Re-posted from my wordpress blog. Originally posted on 25/04/2016

Ah, Portmeirion, a strange mini Italy in the North of Wales and film set for the Prisoner and Doctor Who, among other things.

The reason for my visit I admit was to see where Doctor Who was filmed, the 4th Doctor story the Masque of Mandragara which was meant to be set in 15th Century Italy. Instead of Italy they filmed it in Portmeirion which in the story is fairly believable apart from the gloomy weather that we have over here and they don’t have in Italy.

And of course it’s famous connection to the 1960’s show The Prisoner that makes less sense than the majority of Stephen Moffat’s Doctor Who. It’s a very strange show set in a place called ‘The Village’, which I can’t say without putting on a dramatic voice. Although I think what most people know about it is that there is a giant balloon bouncing along trying to capture the Prisoner Number 6 as he tries to escape again. Interestingly enough you can by these Sentinel Balloons in the Prisoner Shop that’s in the place they filmed his house. It’s the cheapest thing there.

Leaving Doctor Who and The Prisoner behind, Portmeirion is a hotel as well as an occasional TV set. It was designed with Italy in mind, (hence Doctor Who) and it is such a beautiful place, when it’s sunny.

I did have a rather interesting encounter with some fish. Someone thought that it’d be a good idea to have a picture with these statue fish which are hidden in a damp corridor down below near the entrance. It was surprising bright down there and below is the photo I’ve been talking about. Thanks a lot to whoever it was who came up with this one.