Fifteen percent rise

I'm glad to say Tomasz made it to Chartres, although poor Tomasz was misled into thinking it was a flattish ride. In fact it entailed riding up hills of around 6500ft, often with gradients of 15%. The Schaf quipped: "Note to Weather Centre Boss: I still think I'm more tired after a morning shift at the BBC!".

He's certainly fitter than I am, having done over 100 miles in a day. A nicer ride tomorrow, 'just' 60 miles to Paris-- hope he has a good time there and no accidents befall him. As one wag on Facebook had it, just think of the funds he's raising for diarrhoea relief. He'll have no problem, il a les belles jambes fortes. I'm hoping he gives us some nice photos of his belle bosse en lycra. Est-ce que je suis détraqué?

Bon voyage

So Tomasz set off from Chessington World of Adventure the other day (cheated the first bit by using a train, we'll let him off [wink]), and his long voyage.

He is presently at Mayenne (Pays de la Loire), between Rennes and Le Mans-- tomorrow will be cycling 130 miles to Chartres: Assuming a speed of 15mph, that should take The Schaf around seven-and-half hours-- what a man! Incidentally Mayenne is 187 miles from Paris.

Today's ride took him from St Malo to Mayenne, around 85 miles {i}. His luggage came by lorry to his hotel, I reckon Tomasz got there before it did [haha]. Despite a couple of days of cycling, he's still looking un beau mec...



Thankfully His Loveliness did get a rest between Portsmouth and St Malo courtesy of the ferry, not even Tomasz can cycle on water-- although the sun is clearly shining on the righteous.



As for this photo of Tomasz coming of the ferry... all lyrca, stubble and heat-melting grin. Ce démontre que vous êtes bien foutu, Tomasz!





PS: Tomasz was reading Metro on his train journey, and guess what was advertised for next year... http://yfrog.com/5dlr3vj



{i} All mileage estimates from AA Route Planner

A bit of late-night Willy

Tomasz was on Janice Long's wonderful Radio 2 show later than he normally is. This because Janice had a lengthy interview with playwright Will Russell, of Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine fame. How dare one the best, funniest and brightest writers this country has, delay our Tomasz? I ask you! {i}

No hostility from The Schaf though, more a hundred-day sleep than hundred-day war. I'm reliable informed that Tomasz hasn't been on Janice's programme for around four months now! Tomasz likened his absence from Madame Longue, to Snow White-- well he is our handsome after all. Although I've never had a snog from him, to wake me up... now there's a dream.

Firstly Janice asked what I thought was a bit of personal question: "Anything exciting coming up", but of course she was hinting at the London-Paris bikeride. Tomasz is getting for this as we speak, his platter of supplies...



I notice there's no clean underwear there, that perhaps explains the anti-diaorrhea tablets (the blue Boots box, centre left). I'm curious as to what all that gel is for too, perhaps to stop chafing. Any volunteers to rub it in? Tomasz has been preparing himself of course, here's a photo showing how fit he is.



Back to Janice Long, who was also observing that men often take their style from the music idols of the day. In adorably quirky Schafernaker-fashion, he revealed that bought himself glasses, as worn by Annie Lennox {ii} and somebody from Roxette {iii} circa 1990. I bet Tomasz looks stunning in glasses... they don't have that effect on me, they make look even less becoming.

Sadly I couldn't find those singers sporting said spectacles, however just for Tomasz Annie Lennox's greatest hit (oxymoronic title considering this blog!) and some Roxette. As John Shuttleworth would say: "Very emotional these songs, get your lighters out and punch the air!"



And a live performance from Annie Lennox, not just the monsters that are crazy Annie [chuckle]


{i} Only messing Willy, if you're reading... I read Educating for AS-level Eng Lit, best play I've ever read. So good, they made it into a film-- starring Julia Walters and Michael Caine: Quite few a people know that of course... Part 1 here, and you can even do more than blow the bloody doors off, by watching the whole lot thence on Youtube...




{ii} She's gone quiet on the music front
{iii} They've all gone quiet

Growers and showers

Tomasz has posted a couple of new blogs. First one is about his gardening prowress ; nice shot of his "tropical garden" and what's growing in it.

Although the temperatures have been above average in recent days, April showers are coming to the fore now. Judging by how Tomasz looks in jeans, he has definitely been taking fashion tips from Chris Beardshaw. I doubt Mr Beardshaw's dibber is quite as impressive as The Schaf's though.

His other blog is about the London to Paris bike ride, no doubt a gruelling ride... a bike ride around the Vale of Belvoir is gruelling enough for me, so hats off to Tomasz.

So I've rummaged around in my pockets, delved down the back of my sofa, pleaded with friends/acquaitances/people charmed by low cunning and eyelash-fluttering, and contributed a złoty or two. Please do Tomasz proud and spend a wad on him-- it's for "charidee"! {ii}

http://www.action.org.uk/sponsor/schafernaker

Finally, keep an eye for His Loveliness's return in the next few days, on the airwaves.



{i}


{ii} To quote the great philosopher DJ Mike Smash

Hello, good evening and bollo...

Tomasz has definitely made it now, he got a mention in Viz this month! An oblique reference in the Profanisaurus, edited by some bloke off the telly...



Whatever could they mean?

Tomasz has revamped his website again, he has a new target for his bike-ride-- £2500 by September. I'm sure the Schaffanatics out there will help him achieve that. Maybe his masterful new picture will persuade you...



With regards to certain comments posted lately, I'd like to say the following. I first became a fan of Tomasz was back in 2006: My work-canteen constantly had the News Channel on (or News 24 as was), and one day I saw the most gorgeous man I'd ever seen-- it was Tomasz doing a weather forecast.

So I admit I was struck by his beauty at first, but it was his bubbly humour, style and intelligence that got me hooked. Everyday I looked out for Tomasz, as I went down for my lunch-- hoping he would brighten up my day-- which he frequently did.

Then I saw him do a Countryfile forecast in his customary tight T-shirt and taut jeans; I admit again, I was further spellbound by his beauty. I did some research on him; my suspicions were confirmed (!!) and I came to realise what a special *person* Tomasz is. His interests, intelligence, character, talents and his great sense of humour.

As I saw more Youtbue clips of him, and internet chatter about him, a theme was starting to emerge: The suggestion that somebody should set up a fan club for him. So I stepped up to the plate September last year!

So I'm not one of these Johnny-come-latelies who like The Schaf just because he posed for Attitude wearing very little (the sort of people who "had no idea" he had body like that underneath his suits-- where have they been?!).

And also I don't just like Tomasz because he's exceedingly handsome {i}, has perfect skin, buff body and other [ahem] 'outstanding' features-- to me that's an added and amazing bonus. There's far more to him, than his looking stunning in Attitude.

I admire more his talent as a forecaster; his charisma, his adorable personality, superb sense of humour, kind treatment of fans, modesty, impressive bilingualism, his varied interests and talents.

Tomasz, you're an incredible bloke-- utterly beautiful *inside* and out.

{i} Yes those blue eyes, stubbled and chiselled jawline, cute nose and ears, heart-melting smile, lush lips, lovely dark-blond hair and flawless skin-- most of all the brain behind it all.

Tomasz is going to be 328 miles..

Cześć et bon soir mes chers! I'm sure you'll be aware that Tomasz often likes to slap on his lycra {i} and do long-distance bike-rides for charity.

Well Tomasz's next venture certainly is long-distance... 328 miles in fact! For The Schaf is to cycle from London to Paris {ii}: The route will take him via Portsmouth, then a ferry (even Tomasz can't cycle across water), then St Malo to Paris.

His chosen chairty is Action Medical Research, which develops new treatments to improve the quality of life for disabled children-- his efforts will also contribute to special appeal called Touching Tiny Lives-- this aims to improve care for prematurely-born babies. A worthy cause, I'm you'll all agree.

Tomasz has written more on his site.

I would hope all you Shaffanatics out there would be kind enough to donate, and you can do so at this site

I'm bet you would be more than eager to raise something for Tomasz [wink]



Quel un beau mec et un beau gonflement!

Au revoir, mes choux.

{i} It's a thought never far from my mind
{ii} He's thinking of doing Land's End to John O'Groats next-- a mere 800+miles. Let's pray for southerly winds!