Come and chat to Michael Palin, Thursday 11 September, midday - 1pm.

[RachelMumsnet]

We're just a bit excited that the comedic legend that is Michael Palin will be joining us at Mumsnet Towers on Thursday (11 September) between midday and 1pm when he will be telling us about his latest book and answering YOUR questions. Furthermore, all those who join the webchat will be entered into a draw to win a SIGNED Copy of Travelling To Work and 2 tickets to his first ever one man show.

"I'm drawn to risk like a moth to a flame" writes MP and the latest volume of his diaries are proof of this, charting his life and work from 88 - 98, a period when he was seriously in demand as a presenter, actor and author. His work took him across the world (Around the World in 80 Days), saw him tackle his toughest role yet (in Alan Bleasdales' award winning drama series GBH) and pen his first novel, Hemingway's Chair'. He writes of the diaries: 'The great journeys which underpin these diaries made me realise, more clearly than ever before, that I don't like to be confined to the main road ahead, that I'm drawn to the backstreets and the side alleys, to the quirky ordinariness of everyday life, to the unexpected and the unexplored.'

Michael has just launched his first ever one-man show 'Travelling to Work' which is touring the UK over the next few weeks. Find out details of tour dates on Michael's website.

Come and chat to Michael on Thursday at midday and if you're unable to join us at that time, put your question to him in advance by posting it up on this thread.

[SmileAndNod]

Ooh I do like Michael's travel programmes.

I have a question if I may as I'll be collecting DD from her first day at school on Thursday. I don't get to travel much at all now I have children but where should I plan to visit before I'm too old? What in the world should not be missed?

[LineRunner]

Hope you don't mind me asking a Monty Python question, but it is about your use of real women playing characters.

Carol Cleveland was just a pair of knockers, really. Underwritten, objectified, ephemerised.

It was a shame because because you all had brains.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

How exciting! I was listening to him on radio 4 yesterday. I have a few of his books. I'm going to try and think of a question......

Ooh I have a weather one what is the worst weather he has ever been in and what was it like?

[Meglet]

What was the scariest moment when you were travelling? Did you ever panic and think that even being a BBC presenter wasn't going to be enough to get out of a tricky situation?

My parents raised us on Python. .

[Coumarin]

[HazelDormouse]

Do you enjoy the time spent travelling? Or is it just a necessary evil to get to the place you want to really explore? Do you entertain yourself by people watching or do you just zone out?

[Lillilou]

What is the most important thing you have learned whilst travelling?
By the way, I loved seeing you and your mates at the O2 this summer. ??

[kinkymouse]

I would love my children as young adults to travel before life gets them by the short and curliest. What's the best thing I can do to turn them on to travelling with very limited budget?

[GiantGraspingCeramicFist]

[MrsBungle]

I'm sorry mine is so boring but I absolutely loved around the world in 80 days.

Out of all the places you've visited, which was your most memorable?

[SixImpossible]

I must think of a question!

But, in default of a question, may I just mention that I have chatted with Michael Palin in real life? I was at a work-related party and stepped into a passageway for a bit of chill-out. There he was. Ended up chatting for half an hour. He was very interesting, unassuming and utterly lovely. (We were both sober - I'd embarrassed myself at another work do a few weeks earlier, and that was not going to happen again!)

[Badvoc123]

Hello Michael.
One of my fondest teenage memories is of watching "Around the world in 80 days" on TV with my family.
I have always wondered....you were so perfect (sorry, but you were!) Did the BBC approach anyone else to the show? Were you always first choice?
I am really enjoying introducing my 11 year old son to the Python films...his fave bit at the moment is the black knight in holy grail :)

[NecesitoDormir]

What traits makes a great travelling companion?

[NecesitoDormir]

What do you miss most when away?

[wannabestressfree]

I watch the programmes on repeat all the time and for someone with a chronic illness who would struggle to do the trans Siberian railway I feel connected to the journeys through the programmes.....
My question would be on these epic journeys and seeing these wonders has there even been something that people rave about that you have found unwhelming especially when you are using local guides and are teeth achingly polite? :)

[GiantGraspingCeramicFist]

Among many other wonderful, admirable moments in your career, I have always found your character in Brazil utterly chilling. Was there a collaborative process with Terry Gilliam there, or was everything scripted out beforehand?

[Coumarin]

Six I'm not sure I'd be capable of speaking though. It'd come out like gobbledygook.

[figgypuddings]

Hello and welcome!

Did it hurt when John Cleese whacked you with the fish?

[stinkingbishop]

If you had to choose one moment on your travels where you were utterly awestruck, out-of-time, open-mouthed by the magnificence of this planet...where?

On family holidays did you drag them round Outer Mongolia or did they have to make do with Bognor?

How did Mrs Palin and the mini Palins cope with your prolonged absences? How did you?

[dinkystinky]

Wow - Michael Palin! I love his travel programmes and am so envious of the amazing places he's been!

Michael - what is your best/most memorable family holiday and why?

[SteamTrainsRealAleandOpenFires]

Hello Mr. Palin.

I've recently read that you have been asked to narrate "The Clangers". Will they be new stories or will they be the old ones?

[WhitegoldWielder]

Hello Mr Palin.

One wonders with all your traveling what would now be your best recommendation for fellow travelers to have in their 'emergency kit'? A bath plug? A box of Imodium? A disguise? Or something else?

[LindaMcCartneySausage]

Dear Michael Palin

I bunked off school in 1989 in Glasgow to get you to sign a copy of Around The World In 80 Days! I was a huge Python fan. My taught me to say "Llamas are larger than frogs" in my high chair and to burst into a room as a toddler shouting "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!"

Anyway, my first question is did you do all your travels around the world in real time, without stopping the clock if that makes sense? I got the feeling that perhaps you got time to go home to North London and wash your socks, stock up on DEET and resume where you left off after two weeks R and R, while the programme was edited to make it look continuous.

Second question - I've just finished the Palin Diaries 1969-1979, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I did think they'd been pretty heavily edited with all the really shocking opinions, details and sex stripped out. Is that right? Are you going to publish the un expedited version when you die and can no longer be sued?

[NormaStanleyFletcher]

Michael, would you like to come for dinner sometime? Or failing that lunch?

And , inevitably, what is your favourite biscuit?

[SixImpossible]

At the beginning of your career you clearly chose to do what you enjoyed, and accepted the risks that came with that choice. Now you have the stature to pick and choose, and can do what you enjoy. Was there ever a time in your career when you had to accept jobs even though you had no passion for the role or task? If so, how did you deal with it, and did you come to enjoy the work?