Michael Palin - live webchat Tues 8 Oct at 11am

Hi Michael, welcome to Gransnet! My brother got me interested in Monty Python and have been a big fan ever since. In all of your travels, is there one (or possibly more) surreal, Pythoneque experience that sticks most in your mind? Good luck with the new book, show and please keep them coming!

How do we access the webinar? Cannot find any guidelines.

Hello Michael,
I wanted to thank you for all the joy you've given us over the years, with your comedy, books, travel programs and art programs.
You have zig zagged the world a time or two (or three) and probably get asked what your favourite places are all the time, but having just moved to England I was wondering if you could recommend something for me to do in London that is perhaps off the beaten track and can't be found in a guidebook?

Thank you, and oh, see you on Thursday in Wimbledon

Hello Michael, i think you're fab. I actually named my 2nd son Samuel Palin - after you (I couldn't have Michael as there's already a Michael in the family).
I'm hoping he turns out as funny and adventurous as you.

You have a reputation for being a very lovely person, what do you do not to let fame & fortune go to your head?

Hello Michael, like everyone else it seems, I am a huge fan

I would like to know about your experiences of Brazil. It looks an amazing place to visit but I have heard many stories which make me wonder if it's safe for two not-so-young people to travel there on their own. How much effect are the forthcoming world cup and olympics having?

My favourite book is the Himalya. Interesting with beautiful pictures too.

Hi Michael,
I am the much travelled wife to the 'buffer' who doesn't move around much now but he would love to hear of any recent railway experiences.
Just have to echo all those above in congrats for your excellent works.
Need to know though about the Favelas. Have they diminished and will 'they' benefit from the Olympics.
Regards and 'Lang may your Lum.........'

"Forty (five) years without a job..." Do you still feel you have never really had A Job? It seems to me that you have had so many. Long may your jobs continue! You have brought so much pleasure over the years to not only my generation. Youngest daughter, when leaving school, had to choose a book for her leaving presentation - she chose Full Circle. She left school and set off, aged 17.5 for India and beyond and her wanderlust hasn't diminished since then, despite now being a mum to two toddlers

In the 80s, I had the pleasure of publicising you for ABC-TV (Australia) and have been following you ever since. I'm presently reading your 'New Europe' alongside Jan Morris's 2001 'wrap' on Trieste and her inner life. Like Morris, you capture the essence of the people around you as you travel, which moves your books - and even brief visitations via TV - into the realm of journalism teaching. Where else would you like to travel /revisit; and by which means? PS Would you consider a talk for the Chartered Institute of Journalists on the subject - or similar - of 'getting inside a country's skin', please? Vivienne DuBourdieu, Chair, Freelance Division, CIoJ. travlark.com/

Michael what is your favourite place to holiday.

Michael, I've loved all your travel series, and need more! Are you making any new films in the near future? Do you need a companion?

Hi Michael Palin, how lucky we are to have you answering questions.
If you could go back in time, what would you say to your 16 year old self? and how did you go from doing comedy (Monty Python, Fish called Wanda) to travel? Was it an easy thing to do?
You seem like such an amiable man and I have long been an admirer. May you keep on going for many years to come as I believe age is no barrier to many things we, or celebs, like to do.
Good luck to you.

This is not so much a question as a thank you. I believe that the media generally can make the public distrust a country even a whole nation of people by its selective reporting. You always seem to actually try to understand the people amongst whom you travel, and not judge them by how 'British' they are or how they conform to the ideas and values that we hold dear on our little island.

Hello Michael

What has been the biggest factor in your wanderlust? Is it genetic or did it stem from being brought up in Sheffield and needing to seek wider horizons?

With enormous admiration and respect for your work.

Hi Michael. I just wondered what the most shocking and/or embarrasing thing you have ever done or been asked to do on your travels?

I love all of your work, Thank you.

My son discovered the world through the eyes of Michael Palin from the age of 12, on seeing your book 'Full Circle' on a supermarket shelf.
From that day he dreamed of leaving our shores and exploring the world.
Now aged 30 with a family of his own, he is passing on his own memories from afar, having achieved his dream before settling down.
How does it feel, Michael, when a mother tells you what a profound effect your character and inspiration has had on generations to come?
Thank You 5 times over, from me, from him and his three children.

hello Mr Palin I would just like to ask where you like to go on holiday? love the programmes by the way.

Sorry, there were a few typos in my message, here's the Edited version:

Hello Mr. Palin,

I have an unusual and very silly request if you don't mind. I follow Mr. Eric Idle on Twitter and he often tweets about you and even once declared how much he loves you. Would you mind providing a 'shout-out' to him via this Q&A? I shall tweet him with your response!

Thank you!

I have really enjoyed all of your programs and books...just wondering how do you get on with your Travel insurance for all these places now you are in a more mature age group?
We love travel but find travel insurance for the over 65s difficult..still at least we have your programs to follow and can go all over the world with them.
Thankyou so much for sharing all your experiences with us, it has brought us a great deal of pleasure.

A very big HELLO from Thailand, Mr Michael.

I enjoyed all of your travel programs and I have all of your books, films, and of course Monty Python things. I have two questions for you if that is OK.

The first is: Will you be acting in more television and films again? (I've recently saw The Wipers Times and I was in awe of how amazing you are in that role. I rewatched a lot of your old films many times like The Missionary, Jabberwocky, A Fish Called Wanda, and American Friends. I hope you will continue taking roles because we have been deprived of your amazing acting for so long.)

The second is: It seems to me that the elements in Monty Python, first on Flying Circus and later on films, tend to be philosophical in some way, and then on your travel programs, you are discovering and interacting with new people, culture, traditions, religion, and practices, which in the end can be summed up to something philosophical as well. So, if many, many hundred years from now, your work survives and the people of the future interpret you and the rest of the Pythons as philosophers, what would you say to them? Was working in all these projects (of course in addition to the fun and love you have with and for them) a part of a journey for you to seek a kind of Truth or shall we say 'The Meaning of Life'?

Thank you, Mr Michael for your time and kindness and your lovely silliness. We love you! (And please don't retire!)

Hello Mr. Palin,

I have an unusual and very silly request if you mind. I follow Mr. Eric Idle on Twitter and he often tweets about you and even once declared how much he loves you. Would mind providing a 'shout-out' to him via this Q&A? I shall tweet him with your response!

Thank you!

Hi Michael,

Have you ever thought of making a film on traveling around Britain in a unusual way? Especially as I cannot afford exotic places abroad.