An Emotional Journey

This week, he's back in Spain and the Catalonian Pyrenees, and this journey is a deeply personal one. In 1939, Michael's father Luis Gabriel Portillo Perez fled through these mountains as a political refugee from the Spanish Civil War. At the tiny village of La Vajol, where many refugees headed to cross the border into France, Michael meets Margaret, some of whose family escaped through here. Together, they walk part of the route many refugees took and share their families' stories. Reflecting on what his father must have gone through, Michael says, ‘I hope he might think that my coming here is a tribute to him and to his suffering.' Continuing downhill across the Emporda Plain, he meets other people who share a special bond with this area. Vineyard owner Jordi left city life to return to his great grandparents' roots. Michael samples his organic wine and finds out how a slower pace of life and re-connecting with nature has brought Jordi happiness. At a tortoise sanctuary, Michael discovers how one of the founders, Joan, has a passion to protect this smallest of endangered native Pyrenean creatures for the future. Pressing on, Michael reaches the most easterly point on the Spanish mainland, the Cap de Creus — a protected Natural Park. He's joined by local guide Merce, who was drawn back here by wonderful childhood memories and ‘la alegria' — the joy of the area. Michael finally makes it to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. On this spectacular coastline that once inspired the surrealist Salvador Dali, he reflects on his 12-day adventure and the wonderful people he's met, and he bids farewell to his constant companions throughout his journey — the Pyrenees.