29 October 2011

Pond life

Today was lovely. Well, the very first bit wasn't - no idea, beyond the vague suspicion that Sally might have poisoned me - what was up with me, but at about 3am I woke up. Got annoyed that I was awake again for no reason. And then found out there was a reason... And spent the next hour hanging onto various bathroom fixtures being very miserable.

Anyway, upshot of that was falling asleep again at nearly 5, and being woken up by breakfast in bed from John and the boys.

Once we were all up and dressed and ready to go we headed to the school to get some pond digging done. The hole had filled up with water a fair bit, after the rain we've had, so Deimos was straight in there, splashing about and getting filthy. Almost followed by Sherlock, but John and Mycroft both grabbed him.



More people did turn up, which was good as we could share jobs out more and no one got stuck doing the same thing for too long. Plus I kept getting told to take it easy by certain doctory types.

So now the pond looks like a...well, a big muddy hole in the ground. But one of the right size and shape, complete with shallows, deeper bits and everything Sherlock demanded (apart from mantraps).

Tomorrow we'll go back and fit the liner, hopefully, sort out the edges, get the pumps and everything in and maybe even fill it, depending how far we get. Not sure we'll get as many people - at least one family pleaded church commitments, and some others had various family obligations. Bt there isn't as much physical work to do either. A lot of pea gravel to shovel in once the liner is in...

Not sure we'll get around to plants, either, but it's better if we leave the water for a bit anyway, as it will be largely mains water we do the initial fill with. Better to let the chlorine subside and it all to get a bit more 'pondy'. And then we'll see what moves in to live there!

I'm on the sofa now, with John making threatening noises whenever I try and move, Mycroft reading a book bigger than his head and Sherlock on Danger's laptop looking up deadly pond life. All very calm. Even the dogs (now clean) are being placid.

187 comments:

Sherlock said...

Look these live underwater and eat water bugs!

http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=29

Calliope said...

I hope that you're feeling better, L. Sounds like a good day.

Greg Lestrade said...

Wow, they look like clever plants, Sherlock. What would they do to little tadpoles or newtpoles though?

Calliope - a lot better, thanks. Not quite 100%, but in the best possible care.

Sherlock said...

I don't think they could eat them unless they were really little. How little are tadpoles when they're new?

John H. D. Watson said...

They're pretty little, Sherlock.

Greg Lestrade said...

Probably smaller than water fleas.

Is it essential to have dangerous plant life?

Mez said...

Ha, I had a very similar poisoning experience two days ago. Wow, was that not fun! I hope you're feeling ok, L! It took me 2 days just to be able to eat again.

BTW, do you celebrate Halloween in England? I'm never sure. It's my favorite holiday, mostly because people embrace their inner freakishness with a vengeance. We had a record breaking Zombie crawl here last weekend. Something like 10,000 people dressed up as all kinds of Zombies downtown. I was one! It was pretty awesome. More parties and masquerades this weekend.

Greg Lestrade said...

Cheers. I'm eating nice plain things, like toast. And coffee.

We don't really celebrate it much. Some little kids in very 'family' type areas trick or treat their friends... lots of teenagers cause havoc by vandalising things, and young adults sometimes have drink and drug fuelled parties involving dressing up as gory things, but it's not really a big celebration.

Bonfire Night is much much bigger and most people will save themselves for that.

BTW - UK readers, don't forget clocks go back tonight!

Anon Without A Name said...

I can't remember the last time I was looking forward to the clocks going back so much :-)

Lestrade - hope you have wonderful night of uninterrupted sleep tonight, including the extra hour. Unless you and John have other plans for that extra hour... ;-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - setting clocks back is easy. Setting Sherlock back an hour will probably prove impossible.

However, if I don't sleep tonight then I will start to admit there's something wrong with me. Think I clocked up about 8 hours total in the past three days.

John H. D. Watson said...

Bed soon then?

Greg Lestrade said...

would you believe I don't feel tired in the slightest??

I'm fairly sure you could change that, though. Last night I was virtually comatose on the sofa with you wrapped around me messing up my hair.

John H. D. Watson said...

I would be more than happy to do that again. Massage too, if you like.

Greg Lestrade said...

Sure your hand's okay for a massage?

what can i ossibly do to repay you?

Anon Without A Name said...

Hah, yeah, good luck with Sherlock. I don't suppose the trying to explain to him the concept of luxuriating in an extra hour's sleep would have had any effect? Or even the concept of sitting quietly in one's room reading until a civilised hour of the morning? Thought not :-p

And anyway, given that one of those sleepness nights was caused by a silent phone call, and one by throwing up, I'm not sure you can really put it down to something being wrong with you. (I am reminded of a line from Ian Fleming's Goldfinger: "Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is enemy action").

In other news, I see that the Gunners have perked up a bit.

John H. D. Watson said...

It'll do, and I can stick to the other mostly.

You can ossibly get a decent amount of sleep, that's more than enough.

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - yes. our first away win in the league since...April? I'm not saying anything for fear of tempting fate!

Danger - I'll do my best. hopefully better than my typing.

Greg Lestrade said...

youre amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing

Random Anon Lurker said...

Have a nice night in, guys!

Re: Carnivorous plants.
Sherlock, a lot of underwater carnivorous plants eat the type of little fish you want living in your pond. If you talk to somebody at a marine pet store or aquarium, and are nice to them, they might help you choose some fish and plants that can live together and not eat each other.

Re: Pea gravel.
Unless you've had someone professional-ish tell you how much you need for your pond, my advice would be to get more than you think you need. You'll end up using it, based on my experience! I came up with the idea of putting those little rocks on the ground around my barbecue and bought two bags; the next year, I went back for twenty more and it still wasn't enough!

REReader said...

Oh, wow, I missed a lot over Shabbat! This seems to be the most recent blog post, so I'll just comment over here.

Lestrade, thanks for the Shabbat shalom wish; I'm just as happy hearing it late. I have to say, sincerely, poor you--it's so miserable being sick, and even worse when you're the only one awake (and worst of all is being totally alone and sick). I'm glad you're feeling better, and gladder that you have Doctor John to make sure you don't brush it off and get yourself ill all over again.

Three cheers for getting Lestrade to bed early(ish), John--and being able to MAKE him get some rest, you really are a miracle worker!

What was the book, Mycroft? (And good job riding herd on Sherlock when there was a mud pool to swim in!)

Those plants are super cool, Sherlock, and quite beautiful, too. But, yeah, you don't want anything that will eat small fish and tadpoles. Random's idea is a good one--asking an expert what plants would work with the fish and amphibians you DO want alive in your pond is a good way to go. I think it's always good to get the opinion of competent professionals--they can't make decisions for you but they are a good source of information.

And now for my big news--SNOWSTORM! New York has been hit by a very rare early major snow, they are predicting as much as 10 inches of snow before it's done, although 4 to 6 inches is most likely. And the leaves have only just started turning colors, it's insane. Happily, we in the city still have power, but over a million people in the suburbs have lost power, including my sister and cousins in New Jersey and my aunt in Rockland County (that's north of the city). I hope they all get their power back tonight, not having electricity is horrid.

Oh, and enjoy your extra hour of sleep, or as much of it as Sherlock will let you have. We don't change the clocks here until next week. (Sherlock, seeing as Lestrade is a bit ill, maybe you could let him sleep in a little? You have Mycroft there to make breakfast with, today.)

Desert Wanderer said...

John and Lestrade, maybe something like this will keep Sherlock's interest in the time before every one else is awake?

http://www.legacystation.com/KidArchaeology.htm

I got a few for my scouts and they seemed to love them. Basically it's a brick-sized piece of clay that has "bones" of various animals in it with a couple little tools for the kids to use to dig them out. Then, they can put them together. They can be a bit of a mess but neither of you seem put off by that.

Tink said...

Morning guys! I have no idea why I'm awake at this hour, but at least I have tea.

Hope you guys didn't have too much of a battle with Sherlock! Time changes are always rough on kids I've noticed...

DW: *HUGS*

Greg Lestrade said...

Random Anon - the bloke who's helping is pretty good at guessing - and can get more/take away excess, too, which is good! But we got a tonne and a half to begin with.

We've layed a nice padding of sand in the bottom now and are about to persuade the kids to stop treading it down so we can lay the liner on it.

I think I need coffee first though...

REReader said...

TRY to persuade the kids to stop treading on it, I think!

Did Sherlock let you and John get that extra hour of sleep? And how're you feeling this morning?

Greg Lestrade said...

Sherlock was up at the usual time, but was persuaded to come and sit in our bed (with a laptop, but you can't win them all) and be fairly quiet. So we didn't get extra sleep, but we did get lots of rest. Maybe we should get an iPad or other small computer type thing that means he doesn't need to use one of us as a laptop support...

I feel fine this morning, thanks. And I mean properly fine.

Glad the snowstorm hasn't cut your power. Hope you cope with snow better than we do (you couldn't manage any worse).

DW - I honestly don't mind getting up with him. But they do look like fun. Thanks.

REReader said...

Bet you'd all love having an iPad--they are enormously fun toys! (I only wish I could justify the expense for myself.)

Glad you're better!

And happily the city can handle this amount of snow fine--the roads here all seems clear already. I'm a bit worried about the Cross Bronx Expressway heading north from Manhattan as I'm about to get on it for a T'ai chi workout at the main dojo...well, it's all an adventure!

Desert Wanderer said...

I think you've said somewhere that it's bonding time, which is very nice.

Glad you're feeling better. I see Sally's been silent on your "accusations" of poisoning. I'm sure there's a legal maxim that covers that. :)

REReader said...

Roads were fine--sidewalks rather icy up here, though, just did a bit of unexpected sliding around!

Have fun lining the pond and playing with gravel...:D

Greg Lestrade said...

London would have ground to a halt at the threat of snow...

Sherlock has just loudly announced that the cake someone very kindly brought in for us all 'isn't as nice as the ones we make'.

manners are entirely the responsibility of nannies, right??

John H. D. Watson said...

Give me a minute, there must be some way in which this is not my fault...

Sherlock said...

It's Lestrade's fault for making cakes nicer than that woman's.

John H. D. Watson said...

Yes, Lestrade's cakes are nicer than hers. I'm not arguing that.

But by saying that out loud, you made her feel bad, and that's why I said you had to apologise. Not for telling the truth, but for hurting her feelings when you didn't have to.

Greg Lestrade said...

Sherlock! She was very kind to bring us any cake. You should just be grateful to her.

Definitely your fault, Danger.

Sherlock said...

She said she didn't mind.

Greg Lestrade said...

That's because she was being kind and polite, Sherlock.

Just listen to John.

John H. D. Watson said...

Sometimes people say they don't mind when they really do. Maybe she really didn't, or maybe she did and felt she had to say she didn't. You can probably learn to tell the difference if you look at people closely enough. But either way it didn't hurt to apologise.

Sherlock said...

People should just say what they think and then you would know and people wouldn't gave to guess because that's stupid and you might get it wrong.

John H. D. Watson said...

I do sometimes think life would be easier that way, but that's not the way it is.

You're very good at observation, Sherlock. If you really look at people and pay attention, I think you'll get to a point where you won't need to guess. You'll know.

Sherlock said...

I will, but other people won't.

John H. D. Watson said...

No, they won't, but the only person you can change is yourself. Maybe someday when you're really good at it, you can help other people see what you see.

Greg Lestrade said...

Modesty can be tomorrow's lesson...

Right, liner is down. Pea gravel next. Think we might be finishing this in the dark...

Sherlock said...

Lestrade says keep your fingers crossed because the water is going in.

I don't see how that would help.

Cranky Bookwyrm said...

Just to let you know, you may not be hearing from many of the NY/NJ contingent. What I'm hearing is that Verizon is having problems. What I know is that 300,000 people, at least, have lost power and even more have lost internet access. (I can only post this because I'm on my cell phone.)

I hope everyone is OK and can come back soon.

REReader said...

Sherlock, Lestrade just means this is a tricky bit where things could go wrong, or at least where any mistakes will show up, so let's all hope everything goes right.

Here's hoping!

Becca said...

I came through ok in Brooklyn. No lost power, though my internet did get cranky for a bit.

We got off easy - some places got 26 inches of snow! There has never before been a snowstorm in October for the city. It's just crazy.

REReader said...

Bookwyrm, over 2 million households in the Northeast lost power, and I don't know how many have got it back yet. My sister (in NJ) was told not to expect anything before Wednesday, earliest. (!!)

Small Hobbit said...

Belated Happy 21st Ria. Hope you've sobered up enough to read this.

This is late because I can read this on my phone but can't post.

Has the water for the pond gone in and stayed in?

REReader said...

Oh, I missed that--belated Happy Birthday, Ria!

innie said...

All's well here in my corner of Brooklyn, but I got a call from my mom in NJ - she had to go to work just to stay warm and power up her cellphone. I think she's coming to stay for a few days, as the power company website says they're not even planning to attempt any repairs until "late this week."

Hope the pond is looking closer to completion!

Cranky Bookwyrm said...

Happy belated birthday, Ria!

REReader. I was repeating what I've heard so far. I'm fortunate that I still have power, but cable and Internet are down, so our news isn't necessarily up-to-date. (I live in NJ as well.)

I hope your sister gets her power back soon.

Sherlock said...

It's dark but we put all the lights on in the school so we could see and there's water in the pond and Lestrade's doing something with the pump now that means he's really muddy and half in the pond and wet and I wish it snowed here.

innie said...

Cranky, if you've got JCP&L, they've got a map with service times. Or if you can't get to that on your phone, let me know your service area and I can tell you what they're saying.

Cranky Bookwyrm said...

Thanks, innie,but we DO have power. It's just Internet access we don't have. (The end of our street, on the other hand ...

I'm trying to figure out how to post an album of photos to my Facebook from my phone. We're lucky that none of the downed branches hit the house or car.

REReader said...

Wow, Sherlock, that sounds all very exciting (to watch, anyway--I don't know how Lestrade likes being all wet and splashing around in sort of dark)!

Snow is nice, but if you had the storm we had here, you wouldn't have been able to finish the pond. Also, your power might have gone out too. And that is kind of fun and exciting-- until you want to watch tv, or use the Internet, or recharge your mobiles or laptops, or even turn on a light, and then it stops being quite so much fun. And you might not even have water or heat, depending on what sort of water and heating systems you have.

(On the other hand...snowballs and snowmen (maybe!) and possibly even some sledding in the parks... :))

Sherlock said...

Lestrade says he's wet and cold and be careful with his phone and don't get it wet or muddy.

We had snow last year and we still had electricity but lots of people couldn't go to work but in our old house it used to go off and we had fires then and it was a bit boring and we had to read books with candles but it was a bit boring there anyway compared to here even with power.

REReader said...

I hope you get home soon so Lestrade can warm up and dry off!

In New York City the power doesn't go out so often because the power lines are underground, instead of up on poles where they can be torn down by falling trees--are the power lines underground in London, too?

And yes, I like being in the city much more than out in the countryside because I also find the city much more interesting. I know because we used to go away in the summer to the Catskills and I was pretty bored a lot of the time, even though we had a swimming pool there.

Trills said...

Sherlock - I know you want snow NOW but there are predictions that we'll get it quite soon so if you're patient I'm sure there will be snow this winter.

Besides, wouldn't it be nicer if it snowed at Christmas? Not only would it be pretty but you'll have two weeks of holiday to play in it. But if it snowed NOW it would either be gone by Christmas or there would be so much snow in order for it to last till Christmas that London would practically shut down and no one would be able to get anywhere INCLUDING the vans that deliver ice cream to your shops. And then where would you be?

REReader said...

If global warming continues, we can all have snow in October and November and December too. (Those of us still on dry land, that is, which won't be lower Manhattan without some heroic measures!)

Greg Lestrade said...

RR - I am indeed dry and getting warmer! And bloody glad it isn't snowing here. I just had to sort out the pump. Which meant being up to my biceps in freezing water... now we just have to wait for Mrs T to report back tomorrow about the water level. Hopefully it's all watertight and there won't be a change.

Trills - Sherlock just wants the sort of snow that means he can't go to school but can do everything else, I think...

Trills said...

Doesn't EVERYONE want that kind of snow?

Greg Lestrade said...

I'd settle for snow that meant I couldn't go to work as long as everyone promised not to murder anyone... and given Christmas isn't exactly a quiet time for that, I can't imagine it ever happening.

Anonymous said...

Can't go to school but can do everything else? That's the kind of snow I want too.

When I was a kid my favorite was when school was closed but the highway was still clear enough and Mom would take us skiing.

REReader said...

That's one very large job to get done in three days, congratulations! Got my fingers crossed that it proves watertight, but I am quite sure it will.

I always loved snow days when I was in school. *waxes nostalgic*

(You'd think murderers would have the sense to come in out of the snow! Even at holidaytimes.)

Greg Lestrade said...

There were a lot of us, RR! And there is, so far, no planting or edging done. But we'll get to that once we're sure it's not going to leak like a sieve!

We never got days off for snow.

REReader said...

A lot of people take a lot of organization, especially when most of them have no idea what they're doing!

And there's no point in doing something you might have to pull out, so you'd've had to leave the rest anyway. I still say it's a major accomplishment, so there. :D

When I was in grade school we always had two or three snow days off a year, but there were a lot fewer by the time my baby brother was in school. Looks like the weather is heading back to the "more snow" side again.

Greg Lestrade said...

I make vague suggestions, Danger organises people.

I grew up too near the coast to ever get snow that stuck. And we walked to the main road then got the bus, when it was secondary school. So even when there was a bit, we still seemed to go.

REReader said...

Manhattan is pretty much only coast, I'd think--but it's colder here than on the UK, so snow sticks if the ground is cold enough or if it comes down hard enough. As for getting to school, I lived a block from the school so I could ALWAYS get there--but the rule was if the public schools were closed, our school was closed--generally that meant 3 inches or more of accumulation and we could go out and court hypothermia in dirty snow. :)

REReader said...

Oh, and both halves of a team get full credit. (I know very well you did more than make "vague suggestions", too. Right, John?)

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, RR, despite being a fair bit further north that Gulf Stream means I never got days off school.

Although I realise I'm saying that as if it mattered, given the amount of time I used to skyve off anyway, snow or not.

Anon Without A Name said...

I don't ever remember having a snow day at school. For one thing, we lived in a seaside town in the south west, so it was too warm most of the time. But also I think the attitude was that if even a handful of the teachers could get in, then that was enough to keep the school open.

Good work on the pond, all :-)

Tink said...

I'm glad to hear that most of the work is done now! I hope that you got all warmed up quickly Greg!

We're more likely to get snow for Valentine's Day rather than Christmas here... the snow this weekend was just downright odd. It's sad, but we have to get used to the new normal for weather patterns. Climate change is making sure that we're going to see a lot of changes as Sherlock and Mycroft and the rest of us grow up.

And in happier news, I have cotton candy! I think you guys call it candy floss or something? XD It's blue and fluffy spun sugar. NOM.

REReader said...

Getting off school is an entirely different feeling from taking off school!

Mmmmmm, cotton candy.....:)

Small Hobbit said...

Blue? I thought candyfloss was pink!

Greg Lestrade said...

Sherlock wants it to be known he's most definitely, certainly, absolutely 'not thleepy'. Despite being 99% asleep...

REReader said...

Right. Well, it's very accommodating of him to go to sleep despite not being sleepy. Or thleepy. I'm impressed.

:D

Tink said...

It comes in blue or pink, and tastes like the sugar version of the colours correspondingly. I just like blue better!

Sleep well Sherlock <3 We'll still be here in the morning. <3

Becca said...

I was very surprised that some stuck to the streets here, given that we hadn't had a frost before the storm, so the streets were still pretty warm.

I definitely enjoy snow sometimes, but this wasn't the fun kind of snow. This was a heavy wet messy kind of snow, hence all the damage it did pulling down trees and power lines. Nasty stuff.

Greg Lestrade said...

Tink - the problem is that it's earlier than he usually goes to bed, because of the clocks changing, and tomorrow morning early Mycroft goes back to school with Anthea. So you might all still be here...but Mycroft won't be. Hence his determination to not go to sleep.

But he's also had a very busy day and is very tired.

REReader said...

Will he be very annoyed if I say that's sweet? Because it is.

Ria said...

Good afternoon/evening, everyone, and thanks for all the birthday wishes! I spent most of yesterday a bit pissed and wearing my Halloween costume (Poison Ivy from the Batman comics), but I avoided bad decisions and had a lovely day with friends. I'm also one of those insufferable people that doesn't get hangovers, so today's been very nice as well.

Congratulations on getting most of the pond finished! That must have been quite a lot of work that you did, and I bet the kids will love having it.

Mycroft, how are you feeling about going back to school? I always enjoy breaks, but it's also nice to get back to friends and classes at school. It's a dilemma.

I hope everyone in the Northeast is doing alright with all that snow. We get that sort of snowstorm pretty frequently in my area, but almost never so early in the season. Did they have all of the snow emergency equipment up and running (plows, salt, etc.)?

Greg Lestrade said...

RR - he might be. He was so determined to stay awake! I fear he will be up very early in the morning.

Ria - glad you survived your birthday intact! 21 isn't the legal age to drink everywhere in the USA, is it? Are some places lower? And is it like here, where children can drink in the home/with a meal?

Ria said...

21 is actually the national drinking age. The only exception is that people under 18 can have alcohol when they're with their parents or guardians, which means that for those 3 years in between there's no way to legally drink alcohol. Not that it actually stops anyone from doing so.

Personally I'm not much of a drinker, but having spent time living in various places where I was of legal age it was quite annoying to suddenly be forbidden from having a glass of wine with dinner or a pint with friends.

REReader said...

Well then--I'm sorry I said it was sweet that you wanted more time with Mycroft, Sherlock, because I know you are going to miss him and there's nothing sweet about that feeling. I should have thought about it from your point of view first.

I'm not sure about legal drinking age across the US because that wouldn't be a federal law, I don't think, but yes, to the best of my recollection it is not illegal for those underage to drink but for them to buy alcohol--and probably for non-related people to give them alcohol. ... I think I need to research this a bit, it's been some decades since it's had any personal relevance!

REReader said...

Aha, I was right, there is no federal law that directly bans underage drinking because that's a police power and the federal government has no jurisdiction. The federal law Ria refers to withholds federal funds from states that don't ban those under 21 from buying alcohol, do every state did do that. But only 15 states banned underage drinking outright, and the rest is a patchwork. Some states permit underage drinking, some allow it in some venues (like homes or restaurants), some allow it if under supervision of parents or legal guardians...and all state laws have some exemptions (like for religious purposes).

And now you wish you hadn't asked.

Greg Lestrade said...

Right. Yeah.

It seems (again, I don't have much frame of reference outside brief visits and the media) that there's far less of a drinking culture in the US than there is here.

John H. D. Watson said...

Just walked him back to bed after he got up for the second time... Somebody needs to put me to bed.

Greg Lestrade said...

Um...well, if no one else wants to volunteer then...I suppose I could?

John H. D. Watson said...

Heh. You didn't wait very long for another volunteer...

Greg Lestrade said...

No one else seemed like they'd be close enough to be of use...

John H. D. Watson said...

I prefer you anyway.

Greg Lestrade said...

You haven't seen the competition! (luckily)

John H. D. Watson said...

Nah. There is no competition.

Greg Lestrade said...

Hah! I really think there will be...luckily most of them seem to be in the States.

Right. Bed then, you. And if his lordship gets up again I'll put him back to bed.

Small Hobbit said...

There's a bit of competition from the Shires, but even that's a bit far at this time of night.

REReader said...

I'm pretty sure you're otherwise occupied, but...I can't speak for Europe, but there is substantially less of a drinking culture in the US now than there was before Prohibition. Of course, there's still plenty of alcohol consumption, and every year we seem to have at least one alcohol/hazing death on a college campus...but it's also a very big country.

John H. D. Watson said...

Not quite what I meant, but as long as you're coming with me that's all right.

REReader said...

As fir competition--there would be, but I don't see myself as a cougar so you're safe. ;)

Greg Lestrade said...

Mmm, you know me. Incapable of taking anything seriously...

I'm coming with you, indeed.

John H. D. Watson said...

Good.

Greg Lestrade said...

I'll even tuck you in and read you a story if you want.

John H. D. Watson said...

Hmmm. What kind of story?

Greg Lestrade said...

You get to choose.

....or you do after I go and discover where those little footsteps are heading. Back in a tick.

John H. D. Watson said...

I love you. And you're a very good person.

Desert Wanderer said...

Lestrade, what led you to the conclusion you need a scarf? Do you not get issued one with your cop uniform as a PC? Do PCs get issued uniforms or do they have to buy them?

Greg Lestrade said...

If there wasn't quite so little floorspace in Mycroft's room and so much dog, I'd be almost tempted to let Sherlock sleep in there...but there is, so he's not. Back as soon as he's settled.

Love you too.

DW - conclusion because it's bloody cold on the bike at the moment! And no, scarf isn't issued with uniform - and I only have dress uniform anyway, not the everyday one.

John H. D. Watson said...

I bet Mrs Hudson would knit you one.

Greg Lestrade said...

I think I probably want a silk aviators one - it's what I've always had. But maybe the new fleecy ones are better?

REReader said...

There are some lovely soft polartec scarves around, and they are much warmer than silk. And washable.

However, I would be very happy to knit you a scarf if you like!

John H. D. Watson said...

No idea, never had one. Silk sounds nice and non-itchy.

Greg Lestrade said...

You'll need something on the bike. Otherwise you get an evil draft between helmet and collar.

I've always had a white silk scarf because of the lack of itch and the look. Plus the warmth, obviously. but then that was back in the days before everything got all science-y.

Shortstuff seems to be asleep again...on my way back to you. Thought about a story yet?

RR - I'll see what wins the poll!

Desert Wanderer said...

When I was deployed, one of the British wing commanders' aviator scarf got stolen by the American he shared a desk with. The American put a stiff metal rod in it so it would flutter behind the wing commander even when flying a desk, like in the old war movies. Everyone was most amused. :D

John H. D. Watson said...

Ha, there you go, that's what you need! The permanently windblown look...

You'll need something on the bike.

I've got...whatever I had last winter. Somewhere. Probably.

Story... Anything without murders.

Greg Lestrade said...

Right.

About handsome doctors sweeping innocent coppers off their feet? Or after today I can probably manage something about carniverous plants...

John H. D. Watson said...

Enormous ones, spreading over London like kudzu?

Greg Lestrade said...

If you want.

Once upon a time, not very far from here, there was a dashing young doctor called Danger....and he swapped his sister's prize cow for some strange looking seeds.....

John H. D. Watson said...

This is going to be good, I can tell.

Greg Lestrade said...

Shhhh.

Snuggle down, rest your head on me, hug spider in case you get scared and I shall continue...

...so, he planted these seeds on a little pot on the window sill of his flat, in the sunshine, and gave them some water.... he could almost see the soil moving as they began to grow...

REReader said...

Sweet dreams, guys!

Becca said...

Ah, the sordid history of the battle between the states and the federal government.

After the revolution, the states were extremely wary of giving any powers to a big government, and made it extremely hard for a federal government to get anything done. Over the years, the federal government has gained a certain amount of power back, in various creative ways.

Constitutionally speaking, the federal government cannot mandate a national drinking age. Instead, congress passes a law that says unless a state passes its own law setting the drinking age at what the federal government wants want (these days, 21) the state will not get its federal highway money, which is rather a lot.

Therefore all 50 states have laws placing the drinking age at 21. Other policies are set in a similar manner, including, I think, seat belt laws.

I was living in London when I had my 21st birthday, so it all felt very anti-climactic. Glad you had a good one Ria. Happy Birthday!

Rider said...

gah, eaten by your spam filter.

What I said was... Lestrade, get a buff! (www.buffwear.com)

Light but warm, fits nicely in the jacket hole and you can draw it up over your mouth and chin if you want. Doesn't come untucked like a scarf and doesn't bulk up at the back of the helmet like a scarf.

You can even wear it as a balaclava on very cold days as it is fine enough to fit under the helmet.

I'll never go back to scarves, not even silk ones.

Anonymous said...

That looks suspiciously like a snood...

Well, if it's good enough for Tevez ;-)

Ria said...

Why limit yourself to just having one scarf? If you find a couple that you like, get them. They're cheap and easy to store, and you can always alternate wearing them depending on weather and sartorial choices.

(Although, keep in mind that this advice is coming from a person with an embarrassing number of scarves. And when I say embarrassing, I mean at least 25, probably more.)

REReader said...

And when I say embarrassing, I mean at least 25

Pffft, amateurs. :D

Ria said...

But we haven't even talked about my hair accessory collection (which has since grown). Or my nail varnish collection, which just passed 40 colors. Or my novelty teapot collection (one is camel-shaped).

REReader said...

What about my....No, no, no, not getting sucked into that! :D

Ria said...

If we played dueling collectibles we'd be here all night! :D

Desert Wanderer said...

Is he growing a DI? Because then I'd expect him to be watering it with coffee. Unless coffee is what turns DIs into innuendo machines. A bit like feeding gremlins at night...

Anon Without A Name said...

Sherlock, Mycroft, I hope this morning wasn't too traumatic/difficult for you - it sounds as if you had a great time getting muddy and apprehending alleged murderers on your half-term together.

Lestrade,John - hope you guys got a decent night's sleep :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

As predicted, Sherlock was up well before sparrow's fart. But decent until then.

Danger, hope it all went with least trauma possible.

Mycroft, was brilliant having you back with us. Thanks for your help with the Christmas cakes. We'll try to get up to see you soon.

REReader said...

You'll have to get up soon--you and John have that traffic talk to give. :)

How's the pool liner holding up? Have you got a report back from Mrs. T?

Any problems getting Mycroft off on time, John?

How're you doing today, Sherlock? When do you start school again?

Greg Lestrade said...

True. I'd happily forgotten about the lecture.

Danger hasn't called me in a panic...so hopefully the pond is okay.

Sherlock's back at school today - they only get a week off for half term. Next stop Christmas!

Danger, sorry, someone brought in some amazing coffee at work. I'm drinking far too much of it. Will probably be more wired than Sherlock tonight. But God, it's good.

John H. D. Watson said...

Planning to keep me up all night?

REReader said...

I'm sure either Mycroft or his housemaster would remind you of the lecture if I didn't. :)

Yay for a working pond!

Ah. We don't have such a thing as half term here--kids have to wait for Thanksgiving for a break. (Although some colleges have a long weekend at the beginning of November for "citizenship", meaning the students can go home to vote; that would be the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.)

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, you need to hear the end of your story from last night, seeing as you fell asleep last night just when.it was getting good.

John H. D. Watson said...

I remember something about the vines climbing NSY...

Greg Lestrade said...

You don't remember the next bit? My John-and-the-beanstalk Rapunzel mixture?

John H. D. Watson said...

Afraid not. You'll have to tell me again.

Greg Lestrade said...

Way I'm feeling tonight it might turn into a high octave action story rather than a calming bedtime story.

Besides, I really don't have the hair for Rapunzel. Which I suppose means it's convenient you had those seeds. Although ideally your beanstalk like plant wouldn't be the thing you're also saving me from...

REReader said...

I think one or both of you ought to try NaNoWriMo, that's what I think.

Greg Lestrade said...

I think if I suddenly found myself with a few hours of uninterrupted time on my hands each day I could already fill them many times over, without writing a word.

John H. D. Watson said...

RR - I might try posting every day for November, but that's the best I'll manage. 50,000 words... Sounds like climbing Everest.

L - what's a good killer plant story without a car/motorbike chase or two?

REReader said...

Collaboration, that's the ticket. You plot, John writes.

REReader said...

So set your own goal! There's no writing police.

Although I know a whole bunch of folks, including myself, who'd applaud extra posting. :)

Anonymous said...

On the subject of scarves on bikes, the circular scarves I'm told work well, far less likely to get caught on things and cause trouble and very good in the winter. It is possible to get silk knitting yarn, so you could combine the warmth of the knitted fabric with the non-itchyness of the silk quite easily.

MTMM

Small Hobbit said...

L - if this is a high octave story, does that mean someone has been attacking you again, or did your phone decide you didn't mean high octane?

Greg Lestrade said...

Er...means I'm too busy to read what I've written!

Danger, where the boys okay this morning? And the pond?

Sally said...

I told the boss you were more likely to be poisoning him than me. I don't want to pick up his slack, whereas those boys would want him off work. So don't be surprised if he makes you raster everything he's going to eat tonight.

He also refused requests to tell us bedtime stories next time we're on obbos. Meanie.

Sally said...

And that should say 'taste'. Christ. Glad my phone isn't as dirty as his!

John H. D. Watson said...

Pity, they're good stories! If you're Sherlock, it helps if you open your eyes very wide and say 'pleaaaaasseeeee'...

Greg Lestrade said...

That should read 'if you're John or Sherlock it helps...' etc. They're equally good at that look.

John H. D. Watson said...

I whine less.

Greg Lestrade said...

Mmmmmm, but you have a greater arsenal of other ways to persuade me. All of which you use to great advantage.

None of which I shall ever complain about.

You not answering my questions above because you didn't see them, or because I don't want to know the answers?

John H. D. Watson said...

Didn't see them, sorry. Pond is fine! Not leaking, water level steady. Boys were...extremely grumpy. Even Mycroft, though he reined himself in after Anthea arrived to pick him up.

Greg Lestrade said...

Grumpy at being parted, or about school, or the ungodly hour Sherlock got up at this morning? Or a bit of all of the above?

What does the boy wonder want for dinner? Or you, for that matter.

John H. D. Watson said...

Sherlock was grumpy Mycroft was leaving, Mycroft was grumpy at Sherlock's attempts to hinder the last of his packing, no one got enough sleep, Mycroft didn't want to go back to school (he didn't say it, but you could tell), and so on and so on.

Curry? :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Poor kids. I hope Mycroft will be okay. We'll have to check which weekends we're allowed to kidnap him for afternoon tea.

Which reminds me. I'm on nights from.Thurs-Sun this week. We're short of officers and D's on leave.

Curry it is. Leaving soonish.

You really going to update every day in Nov? How many words would you have to do per update to do 50k?

REReader said...

Oh, dear--I'd love to say something that would help Mycroft and Sherlock, but I can't think of anything.

I so admire you, Mycroft, for sticking it out--with grace--because it is so hard to keep an ultimate goal in mind when it's so far off and the way there is not something you want to do.

Sherlock, I can offer virtual hugs and friendship, but I oviously I can't replace your brother--no one can. Christmas isn't so very far off, for what it's worth...

John, you are a hero for coping with all that and they are so lucky to have you!

Nights on the WEEKEND? That's cruel and unusual punishment, that is.

REReader said...

You really going to update every day in Nov? How many words would you have to do per update to do 50k?

1,667 words for 30 days.

John H. D. Watson said...

Um. Maybe? And too many.

Greg Lestrade said...

Just locking bike. You do owe the nice readers a bit of Back to the Fuschia.

RR - means i work a weekend without missing out on seeing the boys. Although Danger will be testament to me not being at my best after 4 nights. It's too long to batter through with no sleep, too short to get used to it.

REReader said...

As I said, cruel and unusual! (Even if apparently not unusual enough.) Although, not missing out on time with the boys is a nice counterweight, to the extent you'll be awake to appreciate 'em.

Greg Lestrade said...

Ah, who needs sleep?

REReader said...

And what will you tell Sherlock when he parrots that back to you tonight? :D

Greg Lestrade said...

Tell him growing 6yr olds with school in the morning need sleep, that's who.

Anonymous said...

Right now I've been telling myself I can sleep in December if only I can make it that far.

REReader said...

Hee! Good luck with that one.

(As someone with insomnia more often than not, I'm used to doing without adequate sleep, but I've never got to like it.)

Greg Lestrade said...

what I consider 'adequate' apparently isn't the general consensus, so...I can only say I manage on the amount of sleep I get. And manage slightly less well on under 4 hours for too many consecutive nights.

REReader said...

Rats, another thing I can't fix. I mean, I can't knit you extra sleep. Believe me, I have tried. :)

Greg Lestrade said...

I could get extra sleep if I tried. Last night I could have gone to sleep earlier, but that would've meant dislodging a sleeping and gently snoring Danger from my shoulder, which I didn't want to do. Simple choices!

REReader said...

Awwwww. *warm fuzzies*

Greg Lestrade said...

Hah. Hush, you.

And I worked out why Sal was trying to kill me. She called Danger 'cute' today, and followed it up with complaining she needed a bloke like him. Clearly she's hoping to knock me off and make her move...

John H. D. Watson said...

I'm too old for her.

Greg Lestrade said...

She might beg to differ... anyway, doesn't do to disagree with her.

You could probably scare her off fairly easily by roping her in to babysit Sherlock for a few nights though.

John H. D. Watson said...

Oh an excellent plan!

Desert Wanderer said...

Sally's dealt with sick DIs who won't go home, grumpy DIs who haven't had enough sleep/coffee, etc. (perhaps the plurals aren't necessary?). She'd survive a night with Sherlock.

...I think.

Greg Lestrade said...

We do have an important date coming up...

Oi, I am in no way worse than Sherlock!

Well...okay, in many ways, perhaps, but can't make adults feel stupid with my massive intellect, and no-one expects Sal to be able to control me, whereas we would expect her to be in total control over a 6yr old...

Desert Wanderer said...

When you say "oi" it reminds me of the first British copper I ever saw.

He had just escorted this teenage boy out of the roped off field where we were having our 4th of July celebration (oh, the irony!). The boy immediately turned and ran back onto the field, whereupon said cop gave chase, shouting "OI! COME BACK HERE!" When our young malcontent failed to respond, the cop took off his helmet and threw it at the guy, hitting im square in the back. Then, the boy turned around just in time to see the cop take a flying rugby tackle at im and the two of them slid a good six feet in the mud. I laughed so hard I nearly got arrested. :)

Do they teach that at cop school?

REReader said...

Might be an idea to see if Sally would like to sit for Sherlock--she is a trained police officer, and perhaps they'll hit it off, you never know!

And you do have that anniversary approaching. :)

Anon Without A Name said...

no-one expects Sal to be able to control me

I think Sal might :-p

And yeah, you guys have your first anniversary coming up sometime soon, don't you? When is that?

Greg Lestrade said...

Sorry, 'Oi' just comes from...well, don't know. Always said it, though. Comes from being a loud mouth?

RR - Might hit it off. Or we might return home to find Sherlock in a cell and Sal rocking in a corner.

Anniversary...depends on when exactly we decide to celebrate. First meeting...first 'date'...um, I don't know. But late November.

REReader said...

Or you might come home to find Sally counting to a hundred and Sherlock setting up a maze of mantraps and carnivorous plants. It's all a gamble, isn't it? :)

Anon Without A Name said...

Heh - I did almost ask if you'd decided which "event" to celebrate :-p

Greg Lestrade said...

'first time I sprung Sherlock from jail'? (hopefully the last - we don't need a repeat of that this year!)

REReader said...

Ha! If you're celebrating that last, you won't need a sitter as you'll have to take Sherlock with you!

Ah, life's little milestones...

Anon Without A Name said...

Do I recall from John's blog that's coincidentally also the occasion of you... um, falling asleep on John's sofa? Good anniversary :-)

(We're lucky that the anniversaries of our meeting socially, first date, and other significant events all fall within a few days of each other, so if we have to postpone out celebrations by a day or two, it's still all good)

Greg Lestrade said...

I'll let John kick off his month of posting every day with a discussion on which date we should celebrate, shall I? (Although I already know the answer will probably be 'all of them' from you lot.)

mazarin221b said...

*snicker.* My husband and I have two anniversaries. One is our wedding date, and one is our "dating" anniversary. Since we were still in school and didn't actually go out on a real date for a few months, I'll leave it up to your imagination what that anniversary actually represents. :)

Also - L, when you do overnights, whats your actual shift time? My dad did midnights (12-8) for a long time, and he'd come home, sleep until 11 or so, then I'd come home from first round of morning classes and we'd watch the OJ Simpson trial together, then he'd go back to sleep around 8 or 9 pm and get up for shift. A little hectic, but somewhat workable.

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