16 August 2012

This Wheel's On Fire, Rolling Down The Road

Day one of my driving course today.

We do work on a skid pan, but we also drive out on the roads with an instructor, as well as doing more high-speed stuff on a purpose built track. We also do pursuit scenarios.

As always, there's a lot of classroom stuff as well as driving. It's only a refresher for me, because I do on occasion have to do fast response driving or pursuit. It is quite interesting, and fairly fun, so can't ask for more than that, really.

Sherlock was very sweet earlier - he'd obviously been watching for me to get home, and ran down the street when I was parking the bike to ask if we could go and climb spider-web trees.



I think my answer was 'no', in the end. Although I told him he could when he was old enough to make that sort of choice.

Here's what he was talking about:


Spider would be in her element.

John and I had a bit of a talk in the wee small hours. Which is always good. Makes me very happy, when he shares things with me.

103 comments:

pandabob said...

I'm glad the course went well today and that you and John made use of the wakeful hours of the night :-)

Small Hobbit said...

I hate to imagine what you would meet in those trees.

Your course sounds fun - I've just been booked on a fire marshal course, with any luck we'll get to practise with fire extinguishers again.

John H. D. Watson said...

Did he mention why he wanted to climb those?

And thanks, for...just being willing to listen I suppose. Even at ridiculous times of night. Or morning.

Greg Lestrade said...

He thought they'd be full of good spiders and bugs being eaten by spiders and wanted to know if the webs would hold him.

It's all right. I sort of heard you get up, but guessed if you hadn't woken me you didn't want to. So I was half awake waiting for you to come back to bed anyway. Body was still sort of in night-shift mode.

I honestly do like it when you tell me things. Anything. I know you find it hard.

John H. D. Watson said...

L - It's getting easier.

Anonymous said...

Good gosh, what kind of spiders live in those trees? That can't be London, can it? So where are they and how did Sherlock find out about them? I have some arachnophiles at the library who will definitely want to know.

The driving course sounds like it would be fun. I've always liked the kind of training session where you get to play with the toys and not just sit in lectures.

rsf

REReader said...

Yoiks! Those trees look like they have several Spider-sized spiders living in them, to do all that! (Are they in India? Guessing by the gentleman standing by the side.)

But it is sweet of Sherlock to wait for you like that. And those are very good reasons for wanting to climb in them! :)

The driving course does sound rather fun. I always enjoy refresher courses because I always feel like I've learned more than when I'm learning something for the first time, and when it's something you enjoy anyway... Nice!

A from NW (No, I have been away at training. No, your reports are not ready.) said...

rsf - If I remember correctly, those pictures were taken in Pakistan after a series of floods. The spiders fled up into the trees and waited for the water to recede. The end result was trees full of spider webs.

*shudders*

Greg - Glad to hear that you're having such a blast! =)

John - I hope you're napping a bit before Sherlock wakes.

~ A from NW (No, I am not allowing you to scold me for not working unpaid overtime.)

Small Hobbit said...

AfNW - Sounds like work continues to provide "challenges". So I'm sending you supportive thoughts to stand firm. Hope it helps!

Desert Wanderer said...

That sounds like the coolest class ever, Lestrade. So jealous.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, AfNW. I'll do some googling around once I get to work and see if I can find out more. Even though I still think those trees look like something out of Cirith Ungol. I hope your job gets less annoying soon.

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

It is good, as far as courses go.

REReader said...

Hey, DW--isn't today your birthday? Happy Birthday!

I hope you're planning on something fun, tonight if not today. :)

Desert Wanderer said...

It is, RR, thanks.

Nothing planned, no, and since my family's flying out today, probably not anything unplanned either.

REReader said...

DW--Do something anyway! Go to a movie or a concert or whatever makes you happy. :)

L--Sounds like you aren't a big fan of courses?

Sherlock said...

Happy birthday! You should have birthday cake ice cream, it's cream that tastes like a birthday cake! It's almost my birthday too in a month and that's what I want but also presents.

REReader said...

You know, Sherlick, birthday cake ice cream sounds amazing! You should definitely have that, DW, if you can find some! (With sprinkles on top. :))

Are you also wanting a cake cake for your birthday, Sherlock?

REReader said...

SherlOck! (I'm sorry for the misspelling, this keyboard is stupid!)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, DW! May there be cake, and cake ice cream, and ice cream cake, or maybe even cheesecake in whatever combination makes your celebrations bright!

rsf

Small Hobbit said...

Happy Birthday DW. Wishing you cake and candles and ice cream and jelly (English definition) and a great day.

Anon Without A Name said...

Happy Birthday DW!! I second everyone's wishes for you to treat yourself to something hot, sweet and satisfying :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Happy birthday DW. Many happy returns. I hope you enjoyed the day.

John H. D. Watson said...

Happy birthday, DW. I hope it's a good one.

Greg Lestrade said...

RR - I like courses in that I like to be better at my job. I just generally don't like the people who run them who seem to veer between treating us like we're all 5 or making everything so dry and boring that I glaze over and start thinking about Danger on his bike before I've learnt anything.


Just noticed that John's look-a-like from Avengers is the new Jason Bourne, or something. There's a nice ad with him on a bike. Mmm.

REReader said...

That does not sound like you're getting the world's best instructors there.

Although... "I glaze over and start thinking about Danger on his bike before I've learnt anything." ... What's not to like about that? ;D

Greg Lestrade said...

well, not everyone's cut out for it. And a lot of people who think they are really aren't...

John H. D. Watson said...

L - not sure now whether you're saying not everyone's cut out for teaching or for thinking about me...

REReader said...

:D

Greg Lestrade said...

well, both, now you mention it.

But I was talking about teaching.

I'm definitely cut out for thinking about you. Could quite easily do it all day and all night.

John H. D. Watson said...

I know the feeling.

Do you know your schedule for this weekend yet?

Greg Lestrade said...

didn't have you down for a narcissist..

Off both days.


Dive headlong back into the fray Monday. God help me.

John H. D. Watson said...

Ha. You know what I meant! Thinking about myself just ends badly, I do it as little as possible.

Want to go bounce on Stonehenge tomorrow?

REReader said...

And here I was, thinking you want to go back to your team and your proper job, L....

Have a great weekend, all of you! (YES! Go bounce on Stonehenge!)

Greg Lestrade said...

Can I dress up as a druid?

Yeah, thst'd be brilliant. Maybe see if Rach feels up to visitors? Introduce Jess to her Uncle John and Uncle Greg? Could see if Nicky and hers want to come and bounce too? Maybe get a hotel for the night, come back Sunday?

Desert Wanderer said...

Thanks, guys.

John H. D. Watson said...

L - definitely dress up as a druid. I can't wait for Mycroft's reaction.

Yeah, that'd be great!

Greg Lestrade said...

...I'm mildly worried that I'd aim for druid and somehow end up looking like I was a member of the KKK.

Sad that I don't have time to grow a long beard.

John H. D. Watson said...

How about some blue paint and a holly wreath?

Greg Lestrade said...

blue paint? What do you want me looking like, Mel Gibson or a smurf?

The only thing I think when I think druid is Getafix from Asterix and Obelix.

John H. D. Watson said...

Are Mel Gibson or a smurf my only two options? What about the Blue Man Group?

Greg Lestrade said...

I'd struggle to be a whole group...

REReader said...

I'm sure blue body paint can be found for all... :D

John H. D. Watson said...

You might struggle, but I have every faith you'd pull it off in the end.

Greg Lestrade said...

You're a very lovely man. Don't think I tell you that enough.

Anonymous said...

But is it bounceable blue body paint? I should think that anything which would come off in the shower would come off on bouncy stonehenge too.

rsf (who thinks thinking about John would be a vast improvement over many of the courses which her job requires of her)

Rider said...

I find it diffiuclt to think Lestrade would ever have trouble pulling off...

John H. D. Watson said...

L - so are you, love. You tell me as often as anyone could wish and it makes me happy that you think it.

Small Hobbit said...

If we're talking Asterix, Obelix and Getafix, do watch out that the sky doesn't fall on your head and don't let Sherlock anywhere near the magic potion.

Anonymous said...

Van Persie Greg?

Greg Lestrade said...

Anon - Well, if he wants to leave one of the best-run barely-in-debt clubs in the country and head off to chase the silverware then...good luck to him. We'll survive.

Maybe Rangers will be a warning to a few of the English clubs about doing risky business in trying to pay massive wages and not having the resources to do it without doing deals which aren't as good as they seem at first...

Anonymous said...

The bubble will burst one day for all of them and well run teams will be back where they belong :)

Anon Without A Name said...

Hah - you don't sound bitter at all :-p At least you lot won't be wearing bloody gingham this season... *rolls eyes*

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm honestly not bitter! I look at it the same way as I look at my team - there's no point trying to keep anyone who plainly doesn't want to be there. You won't get the best out of them.

Anon Without A Name said...

I must admit, I personally find it a little bit odd that many fans expect the same level of devotion to club from what are, when you get down to it, employees, as you get from the fans themselves. It really is as if they forget that clubs are a business.

Players move clubs all the time,and some fans act like it's a personal betrayal...

BTW - if you're heading to Bristol tomorrow, you might miss the blazing London sunshine - but the temperature will be a bit more manageable than 29c :-)

Small Hobbit said...

Nameless, I've just checked (pun intended) out your new kit. Well, it's different ;)

Desert Wanderer said...

You guys have been the best part of my birthday. Thanks for being you. <3

Greg Lestrade said...

Thank you right back. You never fail to make me laugh on here, and generally brighten the place up no end.

A from NW (It's Friday Night!) said...

John, Greg - The trip out to "bouncy, bouncy sounds like a great idea; if you do go, have fun! (Stay hydrated, and watch out for other bouncers, etc. etc.) :D

DW - Happy (belated) Birthday!

All - Thanks for the support. Things are still quiet at work. Plus, the CEO is back in the office. We'll see if I get called in next week for "guidance" or "a discussion." If I'm lucky, I'll just be ignored. XD

~A from NW (who hopes everyone stays cool this weekend!)

Sherlock said...

We're on the way to Bristol! And it's going TO BE GREAT. I'm going to bounce for HOURS.

pandabob said...

Enjoy yourself Sherlock :-) are you meeting up with Nicky and co?

Have a lovely time all of you :-)

Anon Without A Name said...

SH - appalling, isn't it? :-)

Sherlock - have a wonderful day, bouncing for hours sounds like... well, it sounds exhausting to me, but it sounds like it'll be enormous fun for you :-)

Small Hobbit said...

Sherlock - enjoy all the bouncing - it sounds great fun.

And guys, if it starts raining give me a shout 'cos it'll give me time to get my washing in before it makes it here.

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful bounce day, Sherlock! And Lestrade and John, have a nice visit with everyone when the grownups get tired, and Sherlock is still happily occupied bouncing! Mycroft, see if they lined up the bouncy stonehenge astronomically correct when they set it up. Because that would be great.

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

Sherlock is still bouncing, only stopping to eat and drink.

We've met little Jess, who lay on the edge of stonehenge and was bounced and looked a bit bemused about it all.

Mycroft and Carla bounced for a bit, and are now sitting under a tree as far away as they can reasonably get from us whilst still in the same park...

Anonymous said...

Sounds perfect. Is Jess big enough to imitate facial movements yet?

Greg Lestrade said...

She smiles sometimes, but mainly at Rach. She just sort of stares at the rest of us. She makes some noises, too, gurgles and sort of squeaks (have to get John to translate those...). Afraid she's not interesting enough for Sherlock yet.

John H. D. Watson said...

Certainly not in comparison to bouncy Stonehenge.

Greg Lestrade said...

he's unimpressed that she can't sit up, or...well, do much, really. He wanted her to be crawling and interacting, I think. But yeah, we're all pretty boring compared to bouncy Stonehenge.

Anonymous said...

New babies are like comets. They're far more interesting to look at over a period of days or weeks. I do like them at the crumpled up loaf of bread stage, though. They look so surprised!

Bouncy Stonehenge though. That does sound interesting. I'd probably be at the "not quite so bouncy but what do the shadows do?" stage of the festivities by now, but like Sherlock, I can't imagine being bored by it. Can you climb up the sarsen stones at all, or are they too slick?

rsf (who can't stop singing the bouncy druid song)

pandabob said...

I'm so glad you got to meet Jess and that she is smiling :-) they grow up and change so quickly at that age!

What's the plan for tomorrow? more bouncing?

Greg Lestrade said...

AnonyBob - yeah, she seemed a very cheery little girl. If a bit wide-eyed at the chaos around her. They didn't stay too long, and she was asleep before Rach left. But glad we've met her now.

Bouncing was a one-day-only thing. We're heading back now.

Anonymous said...

Anonybob, the website has a few more places it's going, but bouncy Stonehenge seems to be a one day performance before it rolls away in the night.

L, is Sherlock less bouncy this morning or do only the grownups ache?

rsf

pandabob said...

She sounds beautiful Greg I hope rach got extra sleep because you lot tired Jess out :-)

Have a quick and safe trip home.

Rsf only an hour ago I was informed it was coming to a park near us in a few weeks :-) if the weather's nice I might just have to take the short people :-)

Anonymous said...

Oooh, I hope you have fun anonybob! It sounds like a great thing to take short people to.

Sherlock, have you spotted any yellow cars yet?

rsf

dw said...

Lestrade, are you back to your team tomorrow?

Greg Lestrade said...

I am indeed. Just leaving now.

pandabob said...

So how high is the paperwork mountain Greg?

Good luck back with your team. I hope the day is reasonably uneventful :-)

Small Hobbit said...

Hope you have a good day L. And that your team welcomed you back with open arms, or at least you get your chair back.

Greg Lestrade said...

Got my chair back - Sal has wangled herself a better one.

Paperwork mountain is large, but if I camp a few times on the way up the north face I think I'll make it.

Anon Without A Name said...

Glad you're back with your team, and your chair Lestrade; try not to get caught under an avalanche of paperwork - papercuts can be nasty :-)

pandabob said...

Sherlock will be jealous if he finds out you've been camping on mountains ;-)

Desert Wanderer said...

Make sure you take oxygen. Air gets kind of rare up there.

I bet they're happy to have you back. Are we taking bets on how long beefore the first leave request?

Greg Lestrade said...

They seem happy. And full of questions.

Anonymous said...

As long as they're not asking you to sign off on things you know nothing about...

Did they solve any murders while you were away?

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

Sorry Danger, going to be a bit late

John H. D. Watson said...

How's your paperwork mountain?

Greg Lestrade said...

Mountainous. Bringing some foothills home

John H. D. Watson said...

Good luck.

pandabob said...

Sorry the paperwork mountain is so big it needs taking home Greg but good to be back where you belong I hope :-)

Have you had a nice day with the boys John? I hope you found something fun to do, we finally had the weather for the park! :-)

Enjoy your evening

Greg Lestrade said...

It is good to be back, and the mountain is ok. Mainly signing a lot of things. My hand hurts. Might get John to forge my signature.

Anon Without A Name said...

Perhaps the Doc could prescribe some hand-strengthening exercises for you?

pandabob said...

forgery on police paperwork must be a crime somewhere along the way isn't it? I'm glad you're happy to be back but it is long hard days for you again! I suppose the days off make up for it a bit and at least it's not a rota of shifts that noone can remember ;-)

REReader said...

You need a nice signature rubber stamp! (Although you'd probably have to at least initial the stamp each time, which hardly seems worth the trouble...)

Glad it wasn't too bad, and that you're back at the job you want to be doing!

Greg Lestrade said...

ANonyBob - maybe. But only if you get caught ;)

My signature is essentially a malformed G with a squiggle that hints at the possibility of my name containing a selection of other letters...

John H. D. Watson said...

If anything, my forgery would be too legible.

REReader said...

Maybe Sherlock or Mycroft could help! :)

Anonymous said...

Sherlock would probably enjoy a bit of forgery, but it might not be the best idea to encourage him.

Greg Lestrade said...

Anon - my thoughts too.

Danger... You're a doctor. And you accuse me of having illegible handwriting??

John H. D. Watson said...

Your handwriting is perfectly legible. Your signature... You could be signing your paperwork as Roger Federer and no one would know.

pandabob said...

Isn't that always the way with crimes Greg?

I would believe your hand writing to be better John I have actually met one doctor whose writing I could read but no policemen ;-)

Greg Lestrade said...

I don't believe you, AnonyBob.

I don't think doctors really get medical training, they just all wander about for five years after being told to scrawl any old thing on a chart or prescription and let the pharmacists and nurses figure out what's really up with the patient ;)

pandabob said...

not a fair sample I suppose when I've only ever met one policeman and probably a hundred doctors.

I always thought it was the nurses who knew everything really so I'll go with your theory ;-)

Small Hobbit said...

As in "Be kind to nurses, we're the ones who stop the doctors killing you".

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