A blog dedicated to the most amazing weather forecaster there is-- Tomasz Schafernaker! *Established in September 2009*
Please see my profile info for more stuff on the great man himself!
BBC Southeast couldn't contain Tomasz for long: The Schaf is to return to BBC national news, hurrah. That will also mean casual Countryfile/Country Tracks, with a bit of luck.
A statement from the man himself:
"I'm really excited to be returning to the Met Office and BBC, I've
enjoyed working on some really interesting projects over the last 18
months but I'm pleased to be back working with two of the most
respected organisations in the world"
His Loveliness was back on today, with a classy blue tie and tanfastic glow. However Tomasz did seem a little distrated; I swear I saw a strange shadow on the screen for one or two of his forecasts-- it's sabotage I tell you!
We did have an adorable (but minor) slip-up: Referring to the cold night over Northern Ireland, The Schaf said that the morning would be "crusty". What could make it crusty there, I wonder? Perhaps there are many hippies in Norn Iron, so there are. Of course our weather god meant "cold and frosty". Least he can laugh at himself...
The calming influence of Northern Ireland's finest, Maxine Mawhinney, meant that things ran more smoothly at 13:56..
Either way, seeing Tomasz on telly makes me as happy as Rustie Lee on Pro-Plus.
Meanwhile over on Twitter, Tomasz wants you to show off your prize-winning pumpkin! He aims to showcase the finest photos of pumpkins on his website. Speaking of which, the website has been updated with some nice pics of Tomasz on London-Paris bike-ride, plus a Halowe'en themed header. As you may know, Tomasz is famed for his Halowe'en parties....
Tomasz also kindly thanks everyone for the kind messages on Facebook, and is "still at the weather centre, for the moment". Reportedly the 'regime change' is due at the end of November-- I'm pleased to say his website remarks he's on "throughout November".
He's scheduled to be on Country Tracks tomorrow. As interesting as Jodie Kidd is, The Schaf ought to be on in the last quarter-hour (between 12:00 and 12:15). I'm sure the wonderful Terratec will capture the moments of glory for us! Thanks for the two uploads today, by the way.
It appears Tomasz will be on for the 23rd and 24th of October, for the lunchtime shift! Please, please, please can there be a Country Tracks then: Although there's little chance of a short-sleeved rugby shirt during this cold snap, but it would be a treat to see Tomasz in *those* jeans, maybe the last time for a while.
The 25th and 26th will see Tomasz doing the overnight stint-- so Shipping Forecast and BBC World-- Canadian fans rejoice for the latter (or wherever else you international Schaffanatics may lurk)! Also Radio 2, so a chat with the classy Janice Long on the cards for the wee hours of Monday morning. He also may be on BBC radio station near you (BBC Devon is often a good bet)
The 28th and 29th has Tomasz on the News Channel/BBC News At One, plus Radio 4 after You & Yours. Let's hope these appaearances will remind the Met Office and the Beeb what a superlative chap His Loveliness is!
Rumour on Twittersphere is that Radio Five Live are coveting Tomasz to be their weatherman. I hope my mentioning of this rumour, helps it to come true... my spies tell me that Tomasz was approach to do Strictly Come Dancing this year!
I can't see Tomasz appearing on Britain's Got Diarrhoea (confer this month's Viz). Let's hope he can do something for Children In Need? Let's Sir Terrence on the case. Even if he doesn't, the latest Janet & John CD is available from www.charitygoods.com-- Clinging To The Wreckage.
In absence of Tomasz this week, a bedtime story for you...
I did have a nice picture of Tomasz, but a little box says the image upload gubbins, is unavailable at present [comedy harumph]
... not a comment about Tomasz's stylish choice of knitwear on Country Tracks, but his wonderful bathetic moment of whimsy on News At One yesterday. The Schaf remarked that in comparison with the rest of the British Isles, that the Channel Islands were warm: It made him want to catch a plane, and have a spot of lunch down there-- I bet a few guys would welcome him with open arms in St Helier
Bless him: Is that his subtle of saying to his bosses, he would like a holiday? A double-bill here, from today's and yesterday's News At One. Thanks once again to Terratec for kindly uploading the following
Meanwhile, I've been thinking about Tomasz's groovy surname. Now I'm aware it's Austrian, but I wonder what it means? I recall from my German A-level that Schafer (or rather "Schäfer") is the German for shepherd, from Schaf which is a sheep. However "naker" is proving more of a puzzle, I presume it's an Austrian dialect word?
The nearest formal German words are "Nacken" (nape of one's neck); or "nackt", which means "naked". I remember that the noun suffix "-er", has much the much the same function as English, a person/agent that performs the proceeding action: So in English we have cook(er), bowl(er), speak(er) and so on.
My educated guess would be that Schafernaker either literally translates as "sheep nakeder"-- thus a sheep-shearer. Or perhaps more grimly a "sheep necker", somebody slaughters sheep by breaking the necks of sheep. I think I prefer the former...
Unless it's some other shepherd's activity involving sheep {i}, perhaps one of my Teutonic-tongued readers has the answer? Or the good man himself of course [thumbs up]. Interesting to note how many Teutonic names survive, from when Gdansk was "Danzig".
Simon McCoy unwittingly (?) insulted The Schaf today, with an unfortunate dangling modifier: "The weather: Dull, grey and boring-- here with the details is Tomasz Schafernaker".
Tomasz gave a grin at this... but I'm charitable to think this was a non-sequitur on Mr McCoy's part [chuckle]. I would hope that Simon wasn't calling our Tomasz "dull, grey and boring". Otherwise he's in trouble with The Schaffanatics! {i}
I love the way he says "exhilarating" and talk of "arcing and swirling" weather fronts-- plus the cute aside about cloud colouring. Never mind grey skies, Tomasz can loom across my horizon any day.
Tomasz has joined me and has migrated his own {i} blog to Blogspot-- you can access it here:
I've noticed from a couple of recent headshots, that His Loveliness has taken to apparently shaving a slice out his right eyebrow... not sure what to make of it?! What does anyone else think? {ii}
As long as he doesn't get a piercing or tatoo... but otherwise I'm not worthy ["schwing" emoticon]. In case you are wondering, it was Laura Tobin yesterday on Country Tracks. Me neither, lovely as she is.
Apologies for the tardiness of imparting information about Tomasz's blog, but I was out all day yesterday. I was pushing a converted fridge-freezer along the A2 in between Sittingbourne and Faversham, for a very goos cause in fact. If you are on Facebook, please take a moment to visit the following site-- many thanks.
{i} Angry letters to Points Of View, refusal to pay the Licence Fee, picket at Television Centre-- that sort of thing. {ii} Being a young fogey and not being 'down widda kids', I always was under impression it was a chav thing-- hope Tomasz isn't turning into a Burberry ape [ha]!
Cześć! Sorry for the tardiness of my posting, I was out yesterday. I was driving and hiking around the sun-kissed (!) slopes of the south Pennines yesterday-- still snow around the tops-- especially up Blackstone Edge (White House pub was aptly named!)
Anyway The Schaf was back in his rightful place yesterday, on Country Tracks. He was talking about moisture coming down from the sea; I certainly have moisture running down my leg watching the following, I hope it's sweat:
Tomasz told us that he could play around with all sorts of parameters for weather fanatics, and his parameters certainly looked impressive on that forecast for the Schaffanatics. His sleeves were tantalising folded back, to give us a cheeky peek of the legendary biceps-- niesamowity. Click on the pictures to magnify Did anybody else get slightly excited by Tomasz's artistic hand movements towards the end of the forecast? He has technique. Not quite as impressive as his jeans, but nice trouser choice... Of course a weather forecast from the Divine One, wouldn't be complete without out The Smile... A big thank you to Terratec for the video and Tzukenut for the pictures-- great work guys!
First the latter: Tomasz reports on Twitter that he has this weekend off, so no Country Tracks performance from him this Sunday. I shall rectify this with an archive performance later!
I note somebody on Twitter called this site "slightly weird" [sharp intake of breath, chuckle]-- I think post-modern is the term that Tweeter is looking for! What's weird about about worshipping The Schaf hmm? Obliquely he's calling the dozens of Schaffanatics who visit this site, watch his Youtube vids, sigh when he comes on telly and write rightfully complimentary stuff on 'his' Facebook pages weird! Eee, I don't know...
Then again, everybody is somebody's else weirdo. I think we're all weird, because we all have our own quirks and foibles; which means being weird, is being normal. Oof, not thought it through have I?
So the good news! Tomasz has proved how amazing he is once more, by setting up his own website. Feast your eyes on this...
I'm glad to see Tomasz likes Norway {i}-- I have a strong hankering to go there. More impressive is Tomasz's artwork, he really is a talented artist... plus some great photos of Gdansk. Eell we wouldn't expect anything less would we? He is the best thing to come out the Długie Probrzeże, after all.
Plus there's the story of how he become a weather forecast and meteorlogist. Also details of his exercise regime, diet and musical tastes... I let him off for the prominence of R&B [shudders], for the fact he has included Scatman John! {ii}
I'm sure like me, you will be eagerly monitoring Tomasz's site for future developments. It probably mean that fewer will visit this site though [sniff, melancholic chortle]... but who I am to argue with The Schaf
An archive Country Tracks clip, from July 2009. I love the blue shirt, or rather the isobars behind it! Nice hand action and sound effect near the beginning, and he ought to wear those trousers more often too...
Thanks to pj8210 for the video
{i} Great culture, lovely language, rugged/beautiful landscape and rugged/beautiful men... what's not to like eh? God kveld to any folk from Norge who may be reading. {ii} This will stick in your head for the rest of the week. RIP John... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEVUKofgNrU
Oh Tomasz... your Country Track forecasts just get better and better! I'm not worthy. Jesteś najpiękniejszy.
The Schaf was looking stunning today; I was certainly overcome with joy and let out a big sigh watching the forecast. Once again Tomasz had a perfect choice of jeans; plus the shirt showed off his amazingly curved isobars.
I was particularly interested when Tomasz talking of a "front sliding in". I know, I need to get out more! Actually if I do, it's likely to be a touch parky outside... more snow forecast too, which is typical since I'm off to funeral {i} in Skipton (N Yorks) on Friday too-- in the centre of the Pennines!
Judging by Tomasz's forecast, there's a reason why he aren't getting warmer weather. A large area of high-pressure to the south-west backed up by a pertly-packed mass, thrusting the cold air towards us. You'll see what I mean {ii}...
Thanks to pj8210 for the video
{i} I prefer funerals to weddings-- at least you don't have to hope for a happy ending. {ii} Or as they say in Polish: "On ma ładny tyłek". I think that's right.
Sadly no Tomasz today on Country Tracks. I was secretly hoping he'd do a forecast wearing a Santa costume, or perhaps just some tinsel with a pair of shiny baubles.
Since it's a parky out, I'll go back to the end of August. Tomasz show us how to roll up sleeves neatly, whilst wearing a pair of jeans as only The Schaf can. Looking tanfastic here...
The Schaf was on form today! He made an unexpected appearance on Country Tracks, but certainly a welcome one nonetheless.
Tomasz was portentously forecasting bitterly cold (and strong) winds from the east later this week, perhaps bearing snow. Thankfully Tomasz showed us what a lovely and well-developed warm front he has, courtesy of a nice black sweatshirt. Always pleasing to see Tomasz in jeans too; if raw winds do develop, I hope he has his prominent extremities lagged just as well as they are supported!
However Tomasz was less than supportive {iii} about his BBC News mucker Chris Hollins; as Maxine Mawhinney pointed out, Mr Hollins made it through to the final of Strictly Come Dancing {i}. Of course I would love see Tomasz on there, especially in some of those costumes... I bet he's a groovy mover as well-- has rhythm and stamina no doubt. Hmm... imagine doing the samba with him, or a nice cha-cha [mind wanders]. Alas the only dance I can do is big-fish-little-fish-cardboard-box {ii}
Earlier on the News Channel, 'Maaaxane' commented Tomasz "was on standby"; so much so, he was rudely cut off at the end, with a frozen ball no less. The techies letting our weather god down again. Least we got to hear a bit of Tomasz's delicious chuckle! Wearing the pink tie again too, perhaps he's trying to tell us something [wink]
Ta muchly to Terratec365, for uploading the videos. Didn't he do well?
{i} "Good game, good game... ahvuhvuhvuhvuh" {ii} As they used to do in the 1990s. I could see Tomasz getting his glostick out {iii} I love it when he gets bossy, very masterful isn't he?
I noticed on Country Tracks today, that Ben Fogle was going for the snuggly-fitting jeans look-- but of course he was no match for The Schaf!
Tomasz sporting a fine pair of denims today for the five-day forecast, with glistening buttons which caught the eye; conspicuous because the strain they were under, no doubt [wink]. He generously turned sideways to the screen plenty of time, giving us a nice view; just to prove I was paying attention to the Tomasz's report, it was the wettest November on record {i}.
Tomasz had a nice T-shirt today too, with an interesting-looking logo. Sadly we couldn't see what it was, or if it had any holes in it; he was wearing a white fleece-style garment over it, which both complimented and complemented his physique-- plus we got a cute smile at the end. Oh you do know how to treat us Mr Schafernaker, in these gloomy late-autumn days...
I love the way he talks about showers flirting with the south coast. Just for balance, Tomasz looking dashing in a suit and leaving us embued with optimism. The man is priceless!
Thanks to Terratec365 for the videos.
{i} There's a joke I could make there... but I won't
I turned on {i} at 11am today, to watch Tomasz on the News Channel. He instructed us to get an eyeful of his weather ball, which was indicative of the weather today-- wet. However Tomasz's balls must have magical powers {ii}, because it's been dry where I am-- nearly all day with sunshine!
I certainly got an eyeful when I watched Country Tracks today-- I'm definitely not complaining! Tomasz wearing his best jeans {iii} today; only Tomasz can wear them like that, hugging his eye-catching contours. I liked the way his belt-end was sticking out, easier to rein him in perhaps... a thick belt as well, needed for the support by the looks of it [suggestive wink #1].
He also was wearing a wonderfully revealing shirt, when turned sideways-- he could do with losing a few more of those buttons though [suggestive wink #2].
Of course there's more to Tomasz's five-day fares than just his inherent beauty in casuals (yes there is!). A commanding dramatic delivery, "windows rattling in Plymouth and Penzance... hail and thunder... clouds racing"-- sounds like something out of a Jim Steinman song-- classy stuff.
Back on the News Channel, Nicholas Owen had the cheeky to suggest Tomasz is "bad news"! Poor Tomasz was having to cycle back through inclement weather {iv}-- it should Mr Owen getting on his bike, for making cheeky remarks about our weather god-- definitely not cricket [conventional wink].
I love the way Tomasz gets artistic about the weather chart, something about the way he says turbulent... or is it that just I who thinks that. Must be time for my lie down again...
And Tomasz shouldn't worry about 'almost' offending Norwich, they won't mind-- one big happy family there [post-modern stereotyping wink] Thanks to Terratec365 for spotting the latter video, and for uploading the first video too.
{i} In both senses {ii} I like to think so {iii} Lucky jeans or what? {iv} Lucky saddle or what?
No Tomasz on Country Tracks yesterday, so a forecast from back in the day-- July this year. The Schaf is very smart-caj here (it’s all the rage y’know):
Thanks to pj8210 for the video.
[“Forthcoming rant” alert]
I was surfing an internet forum yesterday, and the topic of conversation was about our Weather God {i}.
There are people *still* giving him grief about the Nowheresville incident {ii}-- it’s been two-and-half years-- that’s a long time for even a Scot to hold a minor grudge against a stranger {iii}.
I’m amazed that people still insist on taking him out of context over that comment. I can understand some SNP {iv} types putting spin on it; the main complaint is that Tomasz’s unfortunate comment reflects an England-centric attitude of the English (Tomasz is Polish, duh) and the alleged parochial nature of the BBC; would the Tomasz be talking about weather in Scotland, if the latter were true?
Tomasz gave an explanation and a sincere apology for the remark {v}; what else do his detractors want, for him to be burnt as a wicker man? I think people still begrudging Tomasz for this incident ought to get some perspective and a sense of humour. I suspect they are just jealous that so many people adore him, and take their 'issues' out on him.
Polemic ends
{i} One of many threads about Tomasz, it has to be said. Generally complimentary… a few non-fans, I suspect it must be very cold where they are. {ii} Yes I know, an inherent irony in my bringing it up on here! {iii} Only messing, I have Scottish relatives-- post-modern stereotyping, innit. {iv} Does such really adavance their cause? Besides I would’ve thought the SNP would have better things to do than picking on Tomasz, such as running Scotland. {v} http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ifs_news/hi/newsid_6379000/6379935.stm
The Weather God was in action today, for a Country Tracks five-day forecast. He suggested to the people of Northern Ireland, that they should cherish the forthcoming sunshine. If I were watching the forecast in 'Norn Iron', I would be more inclined to cherish Tomasz instead.
He was wearing a horizontally-striped sweatshirt, which flattered his physique; ditto with his lightweight Craghopper{i} trousers, and what he was wearing under them was 'enhancing'. Indeed when Tomasz told us about about weather-systems coming in from the south-west, my eyes were drawn to the very south-west of the screen, I spotted a very prominent front-- and I could feel a damp spell coming on already.
Here's another forecast from 10:56am today, albeit with Tomasz in his 'smarts'-- nice tie! However somebody in the gallery appeared to be irritating him at 00'52": No need to apologise to us Tomasz, we don't want anybody breaking your stride.
Thanks to Terratec365 for videos
{i} Other brands of lightweight, waterproof trousers are available. Unless I get a free pair of Craghoppers sent to me.
No Tomasz on Country Tracks today {i}, so a rummage into the archives once more-- this time from August 2nd this year.
It's one of Tomasz's most popular Country Tracks performances: Perhaps owing to the flattering rubgy shirt he was wearing, showcasing his amazing biceps and the rest of his stunning physique.
Forget even Jonny Wilkinson, Tomasz knows how to wear a rugby shirt. I wonder if Tomasz has played ruggers in the past: I can see him being going for it in a scrum, being rough around the touchline and handling his tackle well {ii}. Well he is 'scrummy' after all {iii}.
He may have forecasted nice aestival weather that week, but I wasn't paying attention the charts. It was all about the arms (and the rest of him for that matter)
Oh... Laura Tobin did the five-day forecast this morning, just in case you were wondering. Footnotes follow.
{i} Disgrace, outrage, we should demand our Licence Fee back etc {ii} I'm still talking about rugby. Of course. {iii} See what I did there.
No Tomasz on Country Tracks this lunchtime [harumph], so I have plundered the archives once more. This is from the end of August, and Tomasz pays tribute to Julie Andrew's foremost creation.
Personally I don't trust Mary Poppins-- she said: "A little bit of sugar makes the medicine go down"; irresponsible advice if you are an insulin-dependent diabetic, because you could end up in coma. Julie Andrews ought to be ashamed of herself.
Anyway, Tomasz is wearing a very flattering pair of jeans in this, if you know what I mean. His shirt is not half bad either...
I know I ought to be refined, and discuss the finer points of Tomasz's bewitching presentation style, weather forecasting and jolly phraseology. However yesterday was a Country Tracks performance, and Tomasz was wearing his casuals; as ever, he did not disappoint.
I suspect that Tomasz must lie in the bath wearing his jeans, to get them to be so co-operatively taut. So nicely taught in fact, I'm sure we could see his other 'nether garments' at a couple of points (not talking socks or shoes either). He is certainly blessed with the physique to wear jeans in such a way.
Interesting white woolly pullover too, although that is not even quite enough to contain his rippling physique. Not that I'm complaining, keeps perve... err.. discerning viewers such as me, happy.
Tomasz did a sterling Country Tracks forecast today, I can only approve of the autumn attire: A t-shirt covered with a white pull-over really accentuated Tomasz's divine contours, and those jeans were flattering: It appears he's very 'blessed', if you catch my drift; reminds me of a draught-excluder I have for some reason [wink]. Nicely reared too, as the gentry might say.
Definitely an area of high pressure in the south don't you think? And the weather looks settled and dry for the week ahead too [wink #2] Ta muchly to Terratec365, for the video.
Country Tracks was on today, sadly no Tomasz for the five-day forecast-- instead Laura Tobin.
So a delve into the archives to compensate, from this August-- Tomasz once again wearing a very flattering and teasingly unbuttoned shirt. He certainly knows how to wear short-sleeves...
