Precipitation conversation

My suspicions were proven to be founded, when The Schaf appeared on Chris Evans's Radio 2 show {i}, this time in person! Well... on the other end of the phone anyway, as Chris's mystery guest. In this segment Chris has to conduct a three-minute entertaining interview, with a guest unknown to Chris-- until his producer reveals his or hers indentity just before the chat.

Tomasz got off to an enthusiastic start, praising the producer's rich introduction. With Friday's show in mind, Chris enquired about Tomasz's surname: His Loveliness confirmed it is Austrian, but some debate as to its meaning. It appears certain that the "Schafer" part means sheep, so Tomasz mused that it probably means shepherd.

Chris remarked he thought the name had a great meter {ii}, and loved saying it. Chris then asked if any of Tomasz's family come from Austria: Tomasz commented that he been discussing this with his father recently, and the Schafernakers he knows of, are largely of Polish and Russian extraction.

Chris then discussed Tomasz's first name, confirming the correct spelling and pronunciation, which enthused Chris. The Schaf self-depreciatingly chuckled that most of the mail he gets, is misspelt. Even so, I think it's a wonderfully distinctive name, don't you?

Finally talk turned to the the item which intially attracted the show's interest and praise from Moira Stewart, that was the rain-gauge. Tomasz discussed its construction, before the three-minute limit elapsed.

Here's the link, which expires on Sunday...
Fast-foward to 02:07:13

Enjoy!





{i} For those outside the UK, that's not the actor Chris Evans, rather a (in)famous media magnate.

{ii} Better than iambic pentameter, even.

Marvellous Moira

Those listening to Chris Evans's Radio 2 show this morning will have got a nice surprise, as The Schaf was mentioned not once-- but twice!

Firstly a texter called John, mentioned His Loveliness's video on the BBC website (drink me) about building a rain gauge, in reference to the torrential rain southern England received yesterday. Unfortunately John had a case of sausauge fingers, and missed out the F in Schafernaker, leading to a strained pronunciation of Tomasz's surname.

>00:59:48

However worry not, because the legendary Moira Stewart was at hand to educate Chris, of the delights of the Weather God, and the correct surname. She called Tomasz "interesting" no less!

1:01:15

So who knows, The Schaf may very well turn up on Monday's breakfast, to explain himself. So watch this space... (88 to 91FM for UK listeners)

In the meantime, Tomasz's report from The Great British Weather, on St Elmo's Fire. Well sort of... the audio is there; but instead of the film, we have a slide-show of Portknockie and sundry relevant pictures. Half a loaf is better than no bread at all, I suppose. Enjoy!