[Closed] Simon Reeve

I think I'm actually a bit in love with Simon Reeve.

Hi background is fascinating, his book The New Jackals was about Al-Qaeda and predicted a big attack on the west 5 years before 9/11. No-one paid any attention to it until 9/11, he then suddenly was regarded as a world authority on Al-Qaeda. His books Step by Step and Journeys to Impossible Places are superb.

hand wringing pieces about how tourism is having such a negative impact are doing my head in

I think these are fairly even-handed to be fair - tourism beings benefits and problems.

I think his stuff is pretty well balanced and smart generally. And I suspect he won't end up on GB News thankfully unlike some other we could mention...

I think these are fairly even-handed to be fair – tourism beings benefits and problems.

I am a big fan of Simon Reeve's books and programs. I also think it was even-handed - highlighting the issues from both perspectives. The first episode was in similar vein looking at the issues &
impacts created by types of farming, but balanced by the viewpoints and issues facing the farmers themselves.

I couldn't get further than the first segment in the first episode, when he described red squirrels as 'iconic' three times. He had already called the Lakes 'iconic' too.

Diego Maradona is iconic. The Eiffel Tower is iconic. Squirrels are not.

I think it's a bit over the top. Drone shots and commentary of the deforestation of Ennerdale, for example, clickbait type rhetoric when actually it's removal of commercial forestry monoculture to plant more native species and provide better biodiversity.

He's too sensationalist at times for me.

I'll watch anything he makes. Really enjoyed Step by Step.

Watched the first couple last night. His stuff is great, he is very down to earth and presents a balanced view.
His one on Cornwall was similar really, presenting a balanced view on the benefits tourism can bring but how it can really impact locals in a negative way.

I'm really enjoying the series so far. I'm one of those that grew up there and then moved away, so I've a soft spot for the Lakes. Locals being priced out of the villages and no / few jobs in the area are huge problems not just for the lakes but any tourist area (peaks / cornwall / etc)

I like his series as he does tend to show areas that are not highlighted by your glossy tourism brochures.

when actually it’s removal of commercial forestry monoculture to plant more native species and provide better biodiversity.

Which is exactly what he said it was

Watched the second episode. Certainly highlights the big issues faced by the lake district.

I thought he was just trolling the squirrel lady. Carol Baskin of the lakes.

I agree its very balanced. But ultimately its a great big advert for the lakes, like so many other programmes, so to then say "but it has too many visitors" is a bit hypocritical.

I now file him along with Brian Cox as people who have turned into parodies of themselves.

My brother (Simon Thomas) is in this series. He’s a manager for Cumbria wildlife trust & is talking about the Management of Peatland.

If you watch the series trailer he is in the helicopter next to Simon R.

I've liked his earlier series and he's fascinating when interviewed, I'll look out for that earlier pre 9/11 piece though.

I think he's better in places where the content is more geopolitical (the one on Lebanon etc). He's wasted on squirrels and footpaths.

Quite like him but wish he stopped saying "youngsters"

I also like Brian Cox but the soppy way he says "billions and billions of stars" always makes me laugh

I watched his show when he was travelling through Turkey and thought it was really good. Got the Lakes thing on record.

briefly watched an Ep, he met some kids who were running a farm, all of them no more than 18 years old The young chap who actually owned the farm had tragically lost both his parents, poor lad.

Diego Maradona is iconic.

Really, I think he's a bloated drug taking cheat.

The young chap who actually owned the farm had tragically lost both his parents, poor lad.

He was clearly in a bad way, head wise, I hope he does okay.

I'm a big fan.

Obviously trotting round the UK isn't his normal MO but well, he's had little choice of late.

I'm a grumpy 53 yo that normally dislikes tv personalities but even I find it hard to dislike the guy.😁

IHN
Full Member
when actually it’s removal of commercial forestry monoculture to plant more native species and provide better biodiversity.

Which is exactly what he said it was

Eventually. But the intro and links to global deforestation as a lead in to the piece were nothing more than sensationalism and unnecessary. It was like a sort of false jeopardy! I'll tell you it's one terrible, extreme thing and then suddenly tell it for what it is and you'll be blown away.

Having visited the Lakes for the first time this year I watched the first episode with interest. I was shocked by the distinct lack of wildlife and whilst I wouldn't advocate a complete rewilding of the area, subsidising hill farmers to steward the land with reduced impact seems sensible.

It's kind of his schtick though isn't it, done in Africa, India, the Pacific etc: this place is beautiful, the culture is amazing, but isn't all so depressing.

He makes very good points and it's all very eye-opening just... you're not always in the mood to be reminded how sh*t the world is!

Having visited the Lakes for the first time this year I watched the first episode with interest. I was shocked by the distinct lack of wildlife and whilst I wouldn’t advocate a complete rewilding of the area, subsidising hill farmers to steward the land with reduced impact seems sensible.

It is a green desert, not helped by the NIMBY retired population

They should reforest the bracken covered hillsides, no useful agricultural output, next to no value for wildlife, stop farmers canalising rivers, and reduce the deer population

I also like Brian Cox but the soppy way he says “billions and billions of stars” always makes me laugh

A stick he was regularly beaten with by Robin Ince on the Infinite Monkey Cage shows

I love Simon Reeves programmes and I think I have watched every series he's made. I think his focus on showing both the positives and the negatives of a particular place is a much more insightful and interesting approach than most other 'travel' programmes which feature some celebrity gushing about how wonderful the place is as they walk/drive/campervan/train through an area (Paul Merson, Julia Bradbury, Michael Portillo etc.)

His book 'Step by Step', which is a fascinating read, shows how he has progressed from being a fairly delinquent youth to becoming a leading expert on Al Qaeda before 9/11 and onto presenting his many TV travel series, which is quite an inspiring personal journey.

Diego Maradona is iconic.

Really, I think he’s a bloated drug taking cheat.

I suspect he’s gone past the bloated stage now unfortunately.

Really, I think he’s a bloated drug taking cheat.

Alleged rapist also

Diego Maradona is iconic. The Eiffel Tower is iconic. Squirrels are not.

If yer gonna dis red squirrels you're gonna have to invest in some bicycle clips for your next ride because they're gonna be waiting for you - ready to be bury your nuts and then deliberately forget where they left them.

I'm enjoying this programme, also liking the fact he's showing places outside the National park that few tourists will visit such as Carlisle and Barrow in Furness.

The 18 year old farmer who's parents had died was heartbreaking. Seeing his young friends helping out was wonderful. What a burden that young man has on his shoulders.

big_un_daft is correct - too many retired townies moving into the Lake district and not understanding how the countryside works, they also move into the gorgeous villages and dislike the amount of tourists, then try and change their new neighbourhood into a mini version of London imo.