Dropping bombs

The Schaf was back from his sub-Arctic adventure, it appears his tongue hasn't thawed out-- or he's been taking diction lessons from James Naughtie (who called Jeremy Hunt something else today!). If you listen carefully, as I'm sure some bored Metro/Daily Wail scribe will have done, Tomasz almost dropped a verbal bomb-- but thankfully averted the giggles. Not as bad as referring to snowfall in terms of just centimetres though, when people 'on the street' talk in terms of inches; although I suppose being stuck in four inches of snow sounds less 'tragic' than 10cm.

A lovely frost-themed tie and hair waiting to be ruffled...



Sadly Media Monkey at the Guardian has been stirring, with this delightful posting. Anyone would think Media Monkey was jealous of Tomasz's popularity, or something. Does MM not realise that he may have been sent out on this special report, because the BBC think highly of him and people would interested in seeing him there (perhaps a trial for a future role with the BBC)?

Also Media Monkey forgets that sending weather reporters 'into the field' is not so uncommon. Liam Dutton reported from floods a couple of years ago, Simon King spent time in Afghanistan.

MM fails to mention that The Schaf was enthusiastic, engaging, proved his worth and his broadcast was well-received. To such an extent, Tomasz gave us a real treat today, obviously mindful that the icicle has struck a chord with many:



I'm sure you have your own phallic-themed comments to make. However two questions: Firstly what is an unexploded bomb doing stuck in Braemar (right background)? And what is that scarf lower down keeping warm. I'll get my thick-lined winter coat...

Oh thanks to Terratec for the video, much appreciated.

PS: Tomasz will be going to Poland for Christmas, so will be disappearing for a couple of weeks around that time. Still on-air a few times before then though!

An icicle made for two

Tomasz did us proud on BBC Breakfast and the News Channel this morning, proving why he got that TRIC award.

He was indeed on location in Braemar, commenting that "Mother Nature is an artist" when it comes to this wintery weather. She certainly did a good job with Tomasz; he looked a treat with his stubble, his furry hood, brown leather jacket and denims.




At 07:40 Tomasz was concerned, because "some of his equipment is to starting to freeze over". Judging by those jeans, I don't think that was problem-- any volunteers to warm it up? Hang on... what's that Skippy... ah Tomasz meant his technical equipment. Silly me.

However it wasn't weather for kangaroos: Tomasz duly showed his I-pad, which displayed a temperature of -17C at the time of broadcast. Tomasz didn't have a record to celebrate, the lowest it got was -20C; but he's never seen snow like it in his life! Coming from a Pole, that's quite a statement! The 5ft 8in Schaf {i} struggled to tackle some of the drifts, poor soul.



Then on News At One he got it out-- a huge and impressive specimen-- wide as his leg. Yes he produced a javelin-like icicle, typical of those found hanging from homes in Braemar.



More of said ice-features, in pictorial form courtesy of His Loveliness:





Tomasz did acknowledge such weather conditions were common in those parts; however he had spoken to the locals, and they can't remember anything like this in late autumn. I can just see Tomasz wandering around, charming the locals. Why can't a 'freak' weather condition happen in my village, so Tomasz can come round and charm me? A 'mere' -7C round my way, and no only a inch of snow on the ground at most.

As if being on the News Channel all morning and being the star-turn of BBC Breakfast weren't good enough, we even have an online report from His Loveliness.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11907610

Overall superb missives from Tomasz. Engaging, phlegmatic, enthusiastic, informative and even poetic at times. It would be great if they could send him out on location more, hopefully in kinder weather (perhaps a beach location [haha]). Of course he didn't have to go up there, good of him to 'suffer' for his profession. Wasza praca jest bardzo dobra, Tomasz!

PS update. Let's hope Tomasz has a safe journey home:
After last nights crazy temperatures, Scottish transport has been badly affected. My flight to a "balmy"(ish) London was cancelled. Hoping to return in the morning. Another pretty cold night in the glens...The 4x4 was showing -6C to -9C at 4:30pm in tiny villages en route to Aberdeen.

Let's hope he doesn't suffer from a frozen ball.

PPS:
A big thank you to Terratec and Dom for their excellent work.

Carry on up the Cairnwell

The Schaf was due to be on the News Channel over lunchtime, but he was mysteriously supplanted by Susan Powell {i} et al.

The mystery was soon solved, as The Schaf informed us that has travelled up to Nowheresville! Perhaps it's to atone for *that* incident; I hope the locals don't make him into a wicker-man, to keep themselves warm.

I jest of course: The reason he has been sent up there, is because the BBC recognise his worth, his enthusiasm over the possibility of a record low temperature and we can't wait to see him report up there. He is off the Braemar in Aberdeenshire, where it's likely that the temperatures may reach below -27.2C. It was here in 1895 and 1982 when temperatures dipped to that record low; in 1995 temperatures also dropped that low at Altnaharra (Scottish Highlands).

Tomasz has kindly supplied us with a picture at Braemar, the bench giving some indication of the depth of the snow:



Tomasz explains:
I'm off to Braemar in Cairngorm, Scotland today with the BBC. I'll be reporting on BBC Breakfast and the News Channel tomorrow morning from what could be the coldest place in the UK. Near record temperatures are possible down to minus 25C.

Tomasz is sensibly taking a 4x4 up Cairnwell, rather than cycling up there. For those who like trivia, "The Cairnwell" is the highest public road in the UK, at 665m (2181ft). The highest road in the UK is to an aircraft-radar station upon Great Dun Fell, at 848 m (2782 ft)-- the second highest point in the Pennines.

So what is causing these low temperatures, you may ask? When there is not snow on the ground, by day the ground absorbs heat from sunlight and the air; by night this stored heat is gradually drifts into the air, giving some relative warmth at ground level. However several inches of snow on the ground; it acts like lagging, and keeps any stored heat in the ground (also sunlight reflects off the snow). This factor, combined with clear skies and cold winds, give us the plunging temperature.

Thankfully temperatures are not so cold elsewhere, only a predicted -7C round my way tonight, hope it isn't to raw where you are.So make sure you tune into BBC Breakfast tomorrow, to watch His Loveliness live from Aberdeenshire. Also the News Channel around the same time. Stay safe Tomasz!