27 March 2012

I don't believe in Peter Pan, Frankenstein or Superman...

So Bashful won. Which was...a surprise.

To me, anyway.

I cannot wait for this week to be over. Partly because of today, last week, the last few weeks...I don't know. I just know I'm really really looking forward to getting away from everything with John and the boys.

Today we went to talk to a boy who is known to us - he's like a hanger-on to a gang. Been in some minor trouble. The sort of person we lean on to see what they do. Not the brightest kid in the world, but not such a bad lad either.

Got the usual when we knocked on the door and his Mum opened it. "He wouldn't get mixed up in that, not my boy, he's a good lad" etc. So she let us in, led us up the stairs, knocked on his door...and when it opened he was standing there with a pistol pointed at us, shaking, crying, saying if we moved he'd kill us.

Took a little while to sort out. Needless to say his Mum changed her tune. But was all okay in the end. Sal's still giving me evil looks for grabbing her and standing inbetween her and him. It was just instinct, Sal, nothing to do with you being the fairer sex, promise ;)

Oddly enough, when I got back to the yard after picking out a bike with John and enjoying the sunshine, there was a memo telling me I'm on the firearms course next month. Coincidence? Don't think much in my life is these days.

 Quick! Vote in the new poll!

159 comments:

Anonymous said...

not enough information to vote, when is John's birthday?

I thought some of his presents had to be Thursday morning or are we talking about those other people can know about? ;-)

I think I would believe it wasn't a fairer sex issue I think you would walk between anyone you care about and a gun so I'm sure Sally takes it as a compliment really ;-)

Firearms training might be a good idea but it doesn't really help when someonelse is holding the gun does it?!

Anony

Small Hobbit said...

I'm glad that you're all okay now, and you're getting a break soon. You certainly deserve a chance to get away after the last few weeks. Here's wishing you lots of sunshine and sparkles.

Loving the bikes - as soon as I saw Danger's I thought, "there's even a seat for Spider".

REReader said...

Actually, Anony, I think L would step between anyone and a gun.

(And firearms training can't hurt, I'm sure.)

Three rousing cheers for a good, happy, total getaway for the lot of you!

Greg Lestrade said...

Anony - it's the 31st, Saturday.

Don't tell Danger, but I didn't even have my stab vest...

I think the idea is with firearms is that I'll know...stuff. Like if it's loaded, or...what to do if he dropped it. How to make it safe, stuff like that.

REReader said...

Those all sound like things that would be good to know.

And I imagine the next time you go looking for a gun, you'll bear in mind that you might possibly find it and go suitably prepared.

Anonymous said...

The answer is easy then private presents on Thusday morning and the rest on Saturday it would be cruel to make him wait and he might just be more hard work than Sherlock is at the minute ;-)

I can see training might be a good idea from that point of view I'd not really thought about that. I live in hope (I know there is no point really) that you'll never have to use the training though :-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

And I imagine the next time you go looking for a gun, you'll bear in mind that you might possibly find it and go suitably prepared.

...wasn't actually looking for it, today. But...well, I feel like I've managed to make myself sound completely inept.

Anony - Yeah, I mean, they'll train me for more, but those are the bits I feel like I might use, if you get me. I'd really really like to think I'd never have to shoot anyone. I'd use a taser, though, if anyone wanted me to.

REReader said...

I feel like I've managed to make myself sound completely inept.

Hardly! Or more precisely, quite the opposite. This is just me, almost-not-fussing.

Anonymous said...

inept my eye Mr!!

Training is good I suppose but I can't imagine ever actually using a gun, the taser thing I think I could just about manage but something that could actually kill someone is just way to scary an idea.

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, sorry, the tone suggested that in twenty-whatever years of policing I hadn't ever thought that maybe guns were dangerous things before.

Anony - for me, it's less that it could kill someone - driving a car could kill someone. It's having to make that decision of whether or not to fire. I mean, any other way someone might die by my hand I wouldn't have done it on purpose. But a gun...whole different thing, in my mind. But hopefully this course will at least give me a far better understanding of them.

Anonymous said...

That was kind of what I meant Greg, I didn't say it all that well though. I'm not sure I've ever considered the ways I could accidently kill someone but I have always hated the idea of a gun or knife in my hand when faced with someone I needed to stop!!

I'm sure it'll be good for you if only from the 'everyday's a school day' point of view :-)

Anony

REReader said...

NO! L, I promise that is not in the least what I wanted to convey. It was more wanting to yell at you to never go anywhere on police business without wearing some sort of body, and knowing that was silly. (I mean, I know that most police departments in the US require that, and it's almost never followed, even with all the guns we have floating around.) This was just the best compromise I could come up with and now I'll just shut up.

Anonymous said...

RR hunny, try not to worry to much it just isn't a good idea to look like you are calling into question someone's ability to do their job especially when they do it as well as Greg does even if that's not what you really meant to say. Worry yes, remind him to take care of himself yes (although probably not as much as I reminded him to be careful getting home from work when he was on nights I think that started to annoy him) but try your best not to question him. :-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, I have a stab vest, which don't work against guns, hence the name.

If we have information that someone may have a gun we call in a firearms teams.

I'm going to bed. Night all.

Anonymous said...

sleep well Greg :-)

Anony

Anon Without A Name said...

Argh, guns :-(

Sleep well, Lestrade - and everyone else.

Piplover said...

I think gun training is a good idea. Because most people don't understand how a gun works or it feels to fire it, it can be a bit scary. Once you're more familiar with it, it's actually less scary.

Also, I hope you never, ever have to use a gun in your job, but you may find you enjoy going to the firing range and just shooting.

Ro said...

Sleep well, Lestrade! Glad the gun thing turned out okay.

I'm off to catch a plane for a holiday of my own - going to Tasmania to visit friends for a week. Look forward to reading up about your holiday when I get back! Have fun! John, have a wonderful birthday :)

John H. D. Watson said...

Thanks, Ro. I hope you have a great trip.

L - you're sure you want to do the training? You sound more positive about it than you did initially, but I just wanted to make sure.

REReader said...

Hi, John--everything okay? (Can't help but notice it's 2:00 am when you posted that.)

John H. D. Watson said...

Yeah, just up for a bit. I'm all right, thanks.

REReader said...

Okay then.

If you want some company, I'm working and would be happy for a break. Or if not, that's fine too. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm curious John, how did you vote in the poll?

H. Savinien said...

Erm, does anyone here besides those with military experience and myself have basic firearms training? Just out of curiosity.

Glad you're all safe and sound this time.

REReader said...

I haven't, HS, but it's something I keep thinking I might need to learn.

Piplover said...

H. Savinien, my dad taught me how to shoot when I was 4, so I received a lot of training before I joined the military. My dad was a firearms instructor, so he was very adamant about teaching his kids gun safety since he had guns in the house.

REReader said...

That sounds extremely sensible, Pip. Did you enjoy it?

Greg Lestrade said...

Ro - have fun!

John - feeling a bit better about it. I'm sure it'll be interesting.

RR sorry I reacted badly to your comment last night. I wasn't exactly feeling great about how the day had gone and that John and the boys were worried and...it just made me feel even more incompetent.

REReader said...

I honestly didn't mean it that way, L--it couldn't have been further from my mind. Proof of which being it didn't occur to me that it could even be taken that way. I was just trying to sort of skirt the edges of fussing in what seemed at the time to be a mildly amusing way and, well, I'm sorry.

Anonymous said...

Last day, last day, last day ;-) I don't think you'll have managed as excited as Sherlock but still last day!

Hope you have a great one Greg and that its over very very quickly :-)

Anony

Piplover said...

RR, I do enjoy shooting. I'm not the best shot, but I find it fun to try and hit the target, lol.

Rider said...

H. Savinien, I used to shoot at a gun club years ago. Mostly rifle (I had an ex-army Lee Enfield .303 in the days when they were relatively easy to get) and sometimes I borrowed handguns for a bit of fun.

I even shot black powder! Nothing like an 80cal (approx...) carbine with a 2 foot barrell to make you appreciate the words "it kicks a bit".

I wouldn't say I'm very good at it, but I do know which end the bang comes out of, and have a fair idea of what not to do with it when you have it in your hands.

Small Hobbit said...

L - I can appreciate your reaction. Given that you were only looking for some information and no-one, including the lad's mother, were expecting him to be armed, you could hardly have been expected to do anything other than what you did. Consequently, however you feel now, it would have been a shock for all concerned.

And as someone who doesn't want to see our police routinely armed I'm very happy that you aren't entirely sure (if that's the right way to put it) of using firearms.

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks Anony. Sherlock actually clung to my leg this morning to stop me getting to the coffee, trying to make me tell him where we were going. John and Mrs T will have their hands full, it seems.

Anonymous said...

Withdrawal of coffee until you tell him, that boy has you sussed ;-)

Work might be the easiest place to be today so make the most of it ;-)

Anony

Anon Without A Name said...

What SH said...

Also, I'm not sure Sherlock has thought through all the consequences of depriving his DI of coffee. Has he ever seen a grown man throw a full-on tantrum before? :-p

Good luck with him today, John. (And Mrs T, you too, if you read this)

Greg Lestrade said...

I don't have tantrums. I just sulk.

And thanks, all of you. It's very easy to feel got-at in this job sometimes, and I should probably save reacting to that for people who deserve it and just bite my tongue here. Or whatever the typing equivalent is.

mazarin said...

its very easy to feel got at in this job sometimes...

The curse of the public servant, L. We all have it in some capacity or other, but what makes yours different from say, mine, is that you risk your life to do it. So when you are actually criticzed it is especially galling. Then you get sensitive to anything that seems questioning and on and on. Its ok. We're not going to do a runner just 'cause youre testy now and again. Hell, we all are on occasion.

Anonymous said...

To be honest Greg the opposite is probably true, we will all be happy to have our heads bitten off now and again if it helps, thats what friends, even random internet ones, are for. not that that gives you free reign when you're just in a bad mood though ;-)

Anony

Bronwyn said...

It never fails. I'm gone for a bit and your lives get way too exciting. I'm glad you're okay, Greg. Unexpected guns are terrifying things.

Here's hoping your upcoming trip is fantastic. I have sometimes found that when one part of my life is amazing, other parts feel more awful in comparison. Here's hoping your non-home life feels better soon, too.

Also? I'm going to celebrate just a bit because my nephew was born the day before yesterday and I'm very thrilled and want to share my glee.

Bronwyn

mazarin said...

Congratulations Bronwyn! Hope mom is recovering quickly and well. Enjoy (another?) round of being Auntie!

Small Hobbit said...

Congratulations Auntie Bronwyn.

REReader said...

Mazel tov, Bronwyn, that's wonderful!

Sherlock, maybe you could make a game of figuring out where you're going? Think about whatever Lestrade and Mrs T said about it, and try to work it out (or just guess :)). Then write down on a piece of paper where you think it might be, and give the paper to John (or just keep it yourself) and when you get there, you can show how close you were or weren't. Maybe you could get John and Mycroft to play, too, and see who comes the closest!

Greg Lestrade said...

Brilliant news, Bronwyn.

You lot are going to turn this into a registrar's office soon. births, deaths and marriages. (no one need to actually have any deaths).

Danger, you getting one present per day is winning by a mile! Looks like you won't be put out of your misery any time soon. :)

Anonymous said...

How can there be only six people who think John should get his birthday presents on his birthday? What is going on around here?

Sorry John I don't have enough computers to fix the poll :-(

Anony

Calliope said...

Congrats Bronwyn! Being an auntie rocks. My niece is going to be 1 next month. Where did the time go?

Have a good day everyone, and I hope that John's birthday weekend is fab.

(I dated the president of the Rifle and Pistol club at uni, so I can hit the target with a .22. That's about it. It was really weird to discover that there was a shooting range on campus, though.)

Cranky Bookwyrm said...

Congrats, Bronwyn!

John H. D. Watson said...

Congratulations, that's wonderful!

And I'm not at all surprised you all want to kill me with curiosity. I voted for getting them all on the earliest possible day.

Anonymous said...

I think its already been established that there are some you have to have tomorrow ;-)

Birthday presents should come on your birthday it's why they are called birthday presents :-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

Well you'll have two tomorrow... the one I'm struggling logistically to fit in any other time :) and you'll find out where and how we're spending the weekend!

The rest... not sure.

You pick up the bikes okay? Does Spider fit in yours?

John H. D. Watson said...

Does Spider really fit anywhere? She can hold on, she's got enough legs.

REReader said...

I voted for getting them all on the earliest possible day.

But if you spread out the presents, it's fun for longer!

Greg Lestrade said...

Oh, the image of you and spider, cycling along.

I might be just a little late. And bring home a few files, sorry.

Sherlock, I thought we could make John a cake tonight - maybe an Apple cake or something? Lemon? You find us a good recipe, huh?

Anonymous said...

Cake baking what a good idea, we made a cake for my husbands birthday that had more sparkly bits than I ever thought was possible Sherlock would have approved I'm sure :-)

Late and files I guess means wanting to make sure you've nothing to worry about while you're away (which is a good idea) so i hope it doesn't take you too long :-)

John the image of spider hanging on tight to you as you cycle along is just so cute ;-)


Anony

Sherlock said...

Why can't we make a cake on his birthday? Is it because we're going to a hotel? Because when we went to the fort or the windmill we could make one. I want it to be a hotel with a swimming pool! Are we going on a plane? ARE WE GOING TO ITALY? That would take 4 days even though you did it in one. Are we? Are we?

Greg Lestrade said...

Whoa, calm down!

We're just making a cake because now is the best time, and you can spend time choosing what to make and giving John some peace.

REReader said...

Sherlock, you certainly have a lot of great ideas about where you might be going--and I completely understand that you really, really, REALLY want to know already! (I'm like that with secrets, too. :))

But there's this--remember at the Christmas show, when you did the special piece with just you and the one other boy, how good it felt to surprise everyone? And how excited and happy everyone was about it? Well, Lestrade wants to surprise all of you that way, so that he feels good and happy and so that you all are that excited and happy.

(Also, it's just one more day. :))

What kind of cake did you find?

Sherlock said...

There's a caramel apple cake that you have to eat with cream and ice cream and we should have that.

REReader said...

Wow! That sounds absolutely delicious! (Caramel is one of my favorite things.) Does it look like it's a hard recipe to make--does it have a lot of steps?

Piplover said...

Sherlock, if you make that caramel apple cake, will you share the recipe? It sounds delicious!

John H. D. Watson said...

It does sound good. Not too complicated? L has work to do tonight too, remember.

Greg Lestrade said...

He emailed me the link, It's not a difficult recipe. It'll be fine.

Sherlock, have you got clothes ready to pack your bag? You just need a mix of everything.

Be home in 20 mins, Danger.

John H. D. Watson said...

We've been packing slowly all afternoon. Now it's just down to how many books he gets to take.

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, car journey is about 2 hours. And he might need something for the evenings. There is no TV. There is no guarantee of internet, although there might be internet.

I'm fairly sure in the day he'll manage to occupy himself.

Did he show you how to ride your bike?

John H. D. Watson said...

He did. He's very good at it, you know. He told me so himself.

Greg Lestrade said...

He tells a lot of people :)

Question is, did you pass muster? Could you keep up? Will I keep up?

Tomorrow...school run, some peace and quiet of the very best sort, then errands/packing/bike ride, fetch Mycroft, fetch Sherlock....GO!

We need to shop on the way for a few things.

John H. D. Watson said...

What things? And are you going to fetch Mycroft on the bike or are we getting him on the way to...wherever?

Greg Lestrade said...

Mycroft finishes at lunch, I think... have to check. So I could get him on the bike. Hadn't thought that far. Depends how much stuff he has.

And things of the 'things and stuff' sort, nosey.
:)

John H. D. Watson said...

Stuff and things... So that means this place has a kitchen?

Sherlock said...

But if it's got a kitchen why are we baking a cake now?? Can we eat the cake now and make another one when we go?

Greg Lestrade said...

Maybe I just want cold 'things and stuff'. Or maybe extra cake. You'll have to wait and see!

John H. D. Watson said...

I'm sure one birthday cake is enough for anyone!

Greg Lestrade said...

Riiiiight. I'll let you defend that point of view to Sherlock.

John H. D. Watson said...

Ha. All right, I'm sure one birthday cake is enough for me.

Greg Lestrade said...

He told me he'll have any you don't want.

REReader said...

That's very .... altruistic. :)

Sherlock said...

I DON'T WANT TO GO TO BED!

Greg Lestrade said...

(He's currently losing that battle, if anyone's interested.)

REReader said...

Tell you what, I'll go to bed right this second if I can go on a trip tomorrow!

(Actually, I'll go to sleep right this second if I close my eyes. Sitting up. Possibly even standing up. :D)

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm going to pack the cake. Get a drink. And see if I can entice John to bed, or to the sofa, for a hug while I read files.

I know, I know, I'm the last of the romantics.

Anonymous said...

Well if you have to read files anyway it's much nicer to do it while cuddling.

REReader said...

My exact thoughts, kholly!

Anonymous said...

autopsy reports? Someone told me they were very romantic ;-)

I hope you get everything sorted soon then you can go to bed and relax into excited holiday mode :-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

Anony - the most romantic of all paperwork, autopsy reports.

I've got one of those, about 13 ballistics, and a bunch of assorted other stuff. All of which I need to sign off and return to the yard tomorrow.

Cuddling is good. But John gets bored...and distracting. And makes comments that require me to look at him over the top of my glasses, which he finds hilarious.

REReader said...

...and a good time to be had by all. :)

Anonymous said...

There is something seriously sexy about a man in glasses ;-)

I hope you get it all sorted in the next hour because you're on holiday from thursday and that's only just over an hour away :-)

Anony

John H. D. Watson said...

Because it is hilarious.

the most romantic of all paperwork, autopsy reports.

When Sherlock grows up, I have a feeling he's going to think this is quite true.

Greg Lestrade said...

Hah, sorry, now I just have the image of Sherlock getting married.

"I do, I DO, COME ON THERE'S CAAAAAAKE! Three tiers of CAAAKE!"

REReader said...

But what are the guests going to eat? :D

Anonymous said...

would he have sequins and glitter instead of confetti?

Anony

John H. D. Watson said...

Ha! Three tiers of cake, decorated with sugar bones and anatomically correct hearts...

Greg Lestrade said...

With a romantic honeymoon to the Catacombe dei Cappuccini planned after?

REReader said...

Ha!

(Mark Twain wrote about that in The Innocents Abroad, or I'd have had no idea.)

Greg Lestrade said...

...and that comment clearly shows I've had too much whiskey. Or paperwork. Or not enough sleep. Or something.

Anonymous said...

all of the above Greg ;-)

Anony

Anonymous said...

I hope you got everything finished Greg and your time off starts here.

Don't, whatever you do, feel compelled to let any of us know what the great surprise is tomorrow will you. ;-)

In all seriousness though I hope all your plans come together and you all have an amazing time wherever you're going and whatever you're doing :-)

Anony

Anonymous said...

Are you bringing the bikes on this trip or is the title of the post a red herring? It took me about a half a day to realize what it was - or that it was a song at all - and once I did I have had that song on a continual loop in my head ever since. Good thing I like it.

Greg Lestrade said...

Sorry about the song - and yeah, the bikes are coming with us.

And yes, everything finished, Anony.

REReader said...

*peers at time* I really hope you weren't awake until now, working, L ...

Greg Lestrade said...

No, I wasn't.

REReader said...

Everything okay?

REReader said...

(BTW, I asked about the staying up bit because I've been doing it the last couple of nights--rush job--and it doesn't feel at all vacation-y.)

Greg Lestrade said...

Just a,dream. Awake now anyway.

REReader said...

I hope it wasn't a very unsettling one.

And now you are on holiday, yay! if I recall correctly, you have some (shared) quiet time on the schedule for this morning, after Sherlock heads off for school and before all the running around starts. :)

Greg Lestrade said...

A bit. Just when you think you're relaxed and happy your brain decides to cock it all up.

Fine now, and yeah, we do.

REReader said...

Yeah.

Well, enjoy your quiet morning. :) (And busy/exciting/fun rest of the day and holiday! )

Anonymous said...

Brains you know, you just can't trust them ;-)

Enjoy your morning, day and weekend :-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

I will - we all will, I hope!

I feel bad about inflicting Sherlock on Mrs T though. He's practically in orbit.

Mrs Hudson had to keep telling him to slow down when he was explaining further degu care to her.

CzechReader said...

Hmmm, I vote "one per day" - on my last birthday one day my husband bought me a game I wanted for pretty long (Spore), on the next day he took me out for dinner, on the next one he brought me flowers, etc. It felt soooo nice!

Anon Without A Name said...

Sorry to hear you had a disturbed night, Lestrade - hopefully it's just your brain sorting through all the crap now so it's not bugging your subconscious over the next few days. And now, yay, holiday \o/ Hope the four of you have a wonderful time.

And, enjoy your quiet time, etc, this morning gents :-)

Small Hobbit said...

Not one of my favourite Queen songs, but still, never object to their songs going through my head.

Have a great time all of you. Looking forward to hearing what you have to tell us about it (at some point when you're no longer busy enjoying it).

CzechReader said...

L, what do you do with a colleague, who takes away a bunch of your papers without bothering to pick up the phone and call you to ask whether or not it is okay? Ugh! We had some words about it already, like about that there is some mutual respect to be held and if he could call me about where to send a letter, he could have called me about the papers as well...

Greg Lestrade said...

Errrr depends if the colleague is above, below or equal to me in rank.

But yes, it's stupid not to call you. They deserve strong words.

CzechReader said...

Equal - but that's the point. Our boss's daughter in law is our junior accountant and she told him to take those papers. So he jumped and took them without telling me - only, she isn't above us in the office hierarchy, she only tries to act like this. Well, and I refuse to play this game - equal is equal, familial relationship do not count. I am so not interested in the fact that she married the Little Boss (Big Boss's son)...

Whatever. Next time I will try to do a cover of that Terminator 2 policeman scene, where the bad guy simply oozes through the bars, with the colleague: our windows are on the ground level so we have enough bars to try... :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, they'd get a serious talking to. Or shouting at, for lack of professionalism. Especially as lost paperwork in my job can mean cases collapse.

The doc is resorting to unfair tactics on me. Tickling as torture is not allowed under the Geneva convention, right?

On the plus side, cycling is fun and neither of us has fallen off.

Anonymous said...

you solved the ride or ride riddle then ;-)

I don't think the Geneva convention covers you if you're being evil and keeping surprises from people, I'm guessing the tickling's not working though ;-)

glad you're having fun, great start to your weekend :-)

Anony

REReader said...

CR--I would first write a nasty note to the colleague, telling them just where to get off. Then I would tear it up (or, if written in the office, shred it), and write a polite, dignified email (which does not mention the bosses daughter-in-law), requesting to be informed of any further such removals and explaining how disappearing papers could cause all kinds of trouble for the company--and cc whoever is above both of you in the office hierarchy. *evil smile*

L--I'm pretty sure that tickling is permitted under the "birthday secrets discovery" clause, but I'll have to look it up. :D

Not falling off is best!

John H. D. Watson said...

L - you started it!

Greg Lestrade said...

How can I have started it when you repeatedly claim not to be ticklish?

Sherlock said...

WE'RE GOING ON HOLIDAY! And I had to get changed at school right there because we had to go because Lestrade says we need to arrive in daylight and it can't be too far now!

REReader said...

That so exciting, Sherlock!! And what a fun way to start, doing something as unexpected as changing in school!

(Hello, Mycroft.:))

REReader said...

(That'S.)

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you're on your way Sherlock :-) I hope it's great when you get there.

Mycroft I hope you packed some ear plugs because I can't see Sherlock being all that quiet for the next however long you're in the car ;-) Hope you have a lovely time wherever you're going aswell.

I can't actually believe you've managed to keep the secret Greg I am impressed!!

Enjoy your birthday treat John :-)

Anony

Sherlock said...

Lestrade says of course he kept a secret and we must be nearly there now because it's been aaages and then they were ages in the shop too for food and John hit Lestrade with a map because Lestrade was singing soppy love songs on the radio and John was looking at the map to work out where we were going. But we HAVE to be almost there and he still won't tell us!

REReader said...

Then the surprise will be all the more exciting when you do get there, won't it, Sherlock? (I'm not even there and I'm excited!)

Have you all made guesses where you're going so you can see if anyone was right when you get there?

Anonymous said...

He's better at keeping secrets than me Sherlock I would never have withstood all your questions!

I hope you're there soon and it's better than anything you've been able to guess :-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

We are here. I'm the only one capable of commenting here it seems. Sherlock and the dogs are blurs of excitement. John seems pretty happy. Mycroft is asking lots of questions.

And I'm just relieved they like it.

REReader said...

Don't just leave it at that!!!!!! TELL US!

:D

(Good job keeping the secret til you got there, I'm terrible that way myself. :))

Anonymous said...

enjoy :-) :-)

Anony

John H. D. Watson said...

It's a canal boat, and it's amazing! I am a very very lucky man. :)

REReader said...

WOW!!!!!!!

(Imagine that in enormous letters, please... :D)

L--"Like it" seems as thought it would be a massive understatement, that's BRILLIANT!

REReader said...

(as though, not "thought".)

You all are going to have the best time--enjoy! (And happy birthday, John!)

Greg Lestrade said...

Didn't want to put words in his mouth.

John is now captaining this vessel, and finding us a place to moor overnight. Somewhere remote, for stargazing.

REReader said...

Well, I'm sure they'll all let you know just how much they do like it... :)

Sherlock said...

We're going to tie up the boat and it's really long so Lestrade said we could get blankets and lie on the roof as long as we're really still and careful and look up at the stars and I have to wear a stupid life jacket but so does Mycroft but John and Lestrade don't and the boat's got a table that turns into a bed and I'm gutting right at the very very front right now and it's getting dark but it's got a light.

Sherlock said...

Sitting not gutting this phone is stupid.

REReader said...

Sherlock, it all sounds like the makings of a positively magical holiday, with things that are particularly special for each of you! Lestrade really did amazing, didn't he?

(I know just how you feel about the phone, Sherlock. :))

Anonymous said...

Very impressed Greg and more than a little jealous!!

Is it as good as you hoped Sherlock? Star gazing will be brilliant :-)

There can't be a better way of relaxing I don't think, you will be doing nothing quickly all weekend which is just what you all need.

I hope you enjoy it John :-)

Anony

Small Hobbit said...

Hey Sherlock, one of my first thoughts when L said you were on a canal boat was "At least Lestrade and John will make sure the boys wear life jackets".

mazarin said...

Oh, how absolutely lovely! Have a fantastic holiday, the four of you, and I hope there are just miles of stars for you all to gaze at.

Greg Lestrade said...

Sherlock, Unsurprisingly, has been in every single nook and cranny already, chosen his bed, 'helped' John steer, been told off at least 3 times for leaning too far over the edge looking at things and is now helping me make omelettes. Which seems to mainly involve eating raw ingredients so far...

Nony Mouse x said...

Awww, Sherlock, I'm so jealous!! I always see a lot of canal boats near where I live and it always looks like a lot of fun. My Easter holiday is going to be filled with getting work done for my final degree show so I'll have no time for fun trips :( And talking of boat trips, I'd be happy to wear a life jacket all the time, I'm so clumsy!! (And can't swim very well!)

Lestrade, it seems you are the master of surprises! I take my hat off to you, I'd be too excited to keep something like that a secret, haha! I hope you all have a lovely time and I hope you have a lovely birthday too John (although with these lot at the helm, I'm sure it won't be hard :D) Take care x

REReader said...

(And you love it, even with him eating the raw ingredients.)

What, you haven't been smothered with hugs yet?! :D

Anon Without A Name said...

What a brilliant surprise :-)

So, who's running the sweepstake on how long it take before someone falls in - and who?

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, I'm betting one of the dogs will be first in. But probably by choice, not by accident.

And then Sherlock, probably followed by one of the other three of us, to get him out.

REReader said...

*considers L's choices*

No bet--that's what I would have picked. :)

John H. D. Watson said...

This is just... It really is amazing, no other word for it. I love you, L. Thank you so much. The boys are so excited too. It's just perfect.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you are loving it John but I'm more glad you managed to pull it off Greg :-) After all the stress you've been through in the last few weeks I can't stop smiling at the fact that your much planned and well thought through treat for your boys has gone down so well :-)

Sherlock please try and keep your swimming for the swimming pool however tempting exploring the canal may look ;-)

Anony

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm...immensely relieved. And happy.

And really looking forward to time on our own, if we want to be, doing whatever we want to do, stopping and started where we want, no pressures. With my three favourite people in the world.

I love you too, John. Really a quite extraordinary amount. That I don't have words to describe.

Sherlock said...

I'm never going to sleep EVER!

Greg Lestrade said...

...I'm starting to feel like you may not.

But I will be in a bit, because I was up stupidly early this morning, and John will be, and Mycroft will be, so you might get a bit bored.

Anonymous said...

It's holiday time Sherlock but if you don't sleep you will never have the energy you need to enjoy the rest of the trip so you really need to try :-) I can understand that you feel far to excited to though with such a wonderful surprise.

Anony

Rider said...

I hope Mycroft's telescope made it onto the boat. He might not want to sleep either once it gets more out into the less light-polluted areas.

Sounds like a fun weekend. The boys should be dab hands at managing going through locks by the end of it. At least you don't have to lie on your backs and move through the tunnels by pushing with your feet on the ceiling!

Greg Lestrade said...

Not his big telescope, he decided it was too precious to risk with dogs and brothers and water. He has a small one though.

And Sherlock has already expressed deep disappointment regarding tunnels and us not 'walking' through them. Which is easy to do, when your legs wouldn't reach the roof anyway.

He also wishes we had a horse, not an engine. Or as well as an engine. Or something.

REReader said...

Not his big telescope, he decided it was too precious to risk with dogs and brothers and water.

Yeah, the four things together don't sound like the safest combination...!

(And VERY good point about the "walking". :D)

Has Sherlock decided to go to bed after all? I'm sure he wouldn't like to miss the chance to be able to say that he's slept on a boat... :)

Sweet dreams, guys!

Greg Lestrade said...

We made him go to bed. The fact he's been completely hyper all day made him go to sleep.

God alone knows what time he'll wake us and want to get going in the morning. Hopefully he can be subdued with a bike ride, so we don't start a diesel engine on a silent canal when everyone else is sleeping peacefully.

REReader said...

Well, it has been a very exciting day!

An early morning bike ride along a canal does sound lovely. That might even get me out of bed while it could still be called early morning. (Even though all I can do with a bike is fall of it!) :D

I think you really came up with the absolutely perfect holiday for your little family group, L--really, really perfect. :)

innie said...

Wait, does the boat have a name? I'm sure you could make up something dirty and lovely.

It's so nice to hear about the four of you being so happy together. Keep up the good work, boys!

A from NW said...

Wow. I've yet to catch up on John's blog, but this surprise sounds fantastic! I'm so glad that all four of you could get away together, and I hope you have a wonderful time!

Sorry I haven't been commenting much. Work wipes me out every night, but the job (and people and paycheck) is worth it. Even when I'm cursing my way through spreadsheets.

Oh, and congrats to those who have new family members, have wedding(s) in the family, and generally are being blessed with happy events. :)

~A from NW

Post a Comment