27 August 2012

Upon a summer wind there's a certain melody.

We're here. As you may know.

The villa's down a track. I expect half of Mrs H's employees are camped out in the bushes or something. Then, when you get around the villa, there's a terrace and a lawn, with a big hammock slung between two trees, and a pool that looks out over the sea.

The actual beach is down the road a bit, but an easy walk. Sherlock looked like he'd just clamber down through the rocks and bushes, but we're trying to persuade him not to.

He was literally about to burst, so Mycroft kindly said he'd go in the pool with Sherlock while we unpacked a bit and figured out how everything worked.


Of course, the morning had started a long, long time ago...



Sherlock had set every alarm clock in the house. Both my phone and John's, borrowed clocks off Mrs Hudson. Hidden some on the far side of our room...

And set them to go off at half past three. We really didn't need to be up at half past three. I changed most of them to half four, but didn't find all of them. And anyway, he was up, so one of us had to be. We ended up spotting a fox in the street and following it, just to get him and his excitement out of the flat...

Once we were at the airport, and John was handing over all the passports at check-in, Sherlock managed to get on the baggage belt... and Mycroft waited for the ground to open up and swallow him. Happily we got Sherlock back, although he was very grumpy that he hadn't been able to go with the bags.

 John then did a very good impression of someone fast asleep on a suitcase. He swears he wasn't. Mycroft guarded him the bags for us. Sherlock and I went plane spotting. And explored every corner of the airport. And smelt a lot of aftershaves. And argued about why he shouldn't be allowed any.


It felt like we'd had a full day before we even got onto the plane.


Right now, Sherlock is back in the pool (he will develop gills and look like a sponge by the time this holiday is over.) Mycroft's reading on a sunlounger, and I've got a bottle of beer, an armful of Danger and laptop all very snugly and perfectly fitted into a hammock. Which is rather lovely.

Have a picture, so you can imagine the scene...


84 comments:

John H. D. Watson said...

Nicest hammock I've ever been in.

Greg Lestrade said...

It is very nice. You are a particularly comfortable hammock-mate.

John H. D. Watson said...

Mm, as are you. I'm pretty sure I could sleep here.

REReader said...

Oh, WOW!!! That is beyond gorgeous. You didn't say it was an infinity-edged pool!

(Am I allowed to be tickled by Sherlock's very practical alarm-clock setting?)

pandabob said...

I'm so glad you're there and having fun :-)

curled up together in a hammock sound like just what you two need and certainly what you deserve. :-)

Anon Without A Name said...

Glad you all arrived sane and safe, despite Sherlock best efforts :-p

The place looks and sounds glorious. A beer and an armful of Danger snuggled into a hammock sound even better. I hope you guys have a wonderful, relaxing time :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

RR - I didn't know it was. Swimming pool design isn't one of my specialities.

Sherlock has been plucked from the pool. He is somehow still awake, and now getting dry. Which means soon on of us has to get up and put him to bed.

It might be a good thing, or we probably will end up asleep out here.

And anyway, I need another beer.

John H. D. Watson said...

After we get him in bed, could I tempt you with a walk down to the beach?

REReader said...

Whatever you call it, it is still beautiful! (All right, all right--I watch home shows, the ones that take you through humongous mansions. I like to dream. :))

Sleeping outside might be nice in surroundings like that, actually! (Well, if you don't mind a coating of dew. :))

Greg Lestrade said...

You most definitely could, if Mycroft doesn't mind.

And if I'm not asleep by then.

Can we paddle?

John H. D. Watson said...

As long as you kiss me as well, yes.

Greg Lestrade said...

I think I may be able to fit that into my busy paddling schedule.

Small Hobbit said...

That looks idyllic. Have a great time, guys.

John H. D. Watson said...

Thanks, everyone. It's amazing really, even nicer than it looked in the pictures. Between that and the lack of sleep, I sort of feel like I'm going to wake up and it'll have been a dream.

John H. D. Watson said...

L - glad to hear it. Mycroft says he doesn't mind. I think he'll be glad to be on his own for a bit after today.

REReader said...

You done great, John! (You can pick my vacation destinations any time. :))

Desert Wanderer said...

sounds wonderful and couldn't have happened to a nicer famly. enjoy you're break, guys. <3

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks, DW. That's a really lovely thing to say.

Sherlock, I'm glad to report, did actually have an end to his energy...and s already asleep.

Greg Lestrade said...

(am 99% sure the lovely Doc only agreed to paddle so I'd be bare-footed, not be-flip-flopped.)

John H. D. Watson said...

I don't mind the flip flops!

Even Mycroft said they were appropriate for the beach. Neatly implying that they're inappropriate everywhere else...

REReader said...

You can paddle in flip-flops! I used to as a child, and found the sensation of walking in water in floaty plastic soles exquisitely humorous! (Of course, I was about Sherlock's age. Maybe a bit younger. :D)

desert wanderer said...

oh, i'm sure there'll be some flipping and flopping going on. just be patient. ;)

Greg Lestrade said...

I await the day I get the impression Mycroft feels I'm entirely appropriate in any given situation :) Most of the time I feel like he thinks I'm very slightly encouraging Sherlock and you astray...

Small Hobbit said...

However can he have got that idea?

John H. D. Watson said...

You mean like when I'm helping you make off with champagne from other people's wedding parties? Because if so...thank goodness you're around to lead me astray. ;)

Anonymous said...

It looks gorgeous, and I bet it's even lovelier by starlight with the right company. I just hope Sherlock doesn't wake up quite so early tomorrow morning! (Or if he does, that one of the security team will keep an eye on him if he heads for the pool. Unfortunately, I know all too well how little time it takes for someone to drown. I don't mean to be paranoid, just cautious.)

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

We were sharing the love! Which meant they had to...share the champagne ;)

RSF - he is under very, very, strict instructions not to go near the pool or leave the villa without one of us. I told him I'd far rather he woke me up if he wants to go out there that badly before we're up.

REReader said...

With any luck he'll have worn himself out enough with excitement and swimming (and starting the day at 3:30!) to sleep in a bit tomorrow anyway.

I hope everyone is able to thoroughly rest and relax and recharge!

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm not sure we ever have that sort of luck...

I'll just fall asleep in the hammock in the sun tomorrow, until the smell of John's cooking skin next to me wakes me up :)

Anonymous said...

As long as he knows that the first time he goes into the water without someone more grownup watching him will be the last time he goes in the water for the trip then you're probably good. But I'm still glad you've got extra people paying attention.

The walk sounds like it was lovely, champagne and paddling and all. And I hope the happy couple is as happy as you two are!

rsf

John H. D. Watson said...

The champagne thievery was last year, actually. No weddings here, nor much of anything that we've seen so far, at least along our little stretch of beach. It's quite nice.

Anonymous said...

Ah, difficult to read carefully when one is trying to escape work. But I am glad you were enjoying yourself.

rsf

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you all got to get away for a while, and I hope you have a great time the rest of your trip.

Sherlock said...

We did loads of jumping in this morning and Lestrade jumped sideways and pretended to be asleep and he made a huge splash and then we did other jumps too and we woke John up hut that was good because it meant we could have breakfast and get ready to go out.

pandabob said...

You know Sherlock I'm beginning to think that lestrade just uses you as an excuse to behave like a kid having fun ;-) he'd never get away with it on his own he'd have to be all sensible and boring!!!

Have fun wherever you're off out to :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

AnonyBob - picture the scene. Sherlock and I are posing in various silly ways as we throw ourselves into the pool.

Mycroft has sensibly moved out of splsh-range and into some shade to read.

John appears, in t-shirt and shorts, rumpled, bed-headed, bleary eyed and enquires what 'that' was (I think 'that' was Sherlock and I doing our Kung Fu Movie style leaps, complete with battle-cries).

Mycroft looks up, gestures to us, and says 'It was the children'.

Yup...

pandabob said...

brilliant! I'm so glad you are all having fun in your own ways :-)

The best thing about looking after kids I think is getting a chance to do all those things that you thought were childish when you were a teenager and now realise you should have spent more time doing before you really had to be sensible ;-)

This holiday seems to be doing you all a lot of good :-)

REReader said...

It all sounds like a perfect morning!

Have an even better rest of the day. :)

ryo said...

Sounds like you guys are having a great time!

US Open started yesterday.

Also, saw this amazing vid on separating eggs, and wondered if Greg had ever heard of this ?

ryo

REReader said...

Ryo--now I absolutely MUST try that water-bottle trick!!

Anonymous said...

I expect Sherlock will want to try it, too.

Greg Lestrade said...

I cant say I've ever had egg seperation anxiety ;) but I'm sure John and Sherlock will appreciate it. Guess you just need a steady hand and to make sure the bottle has no sharp edges, huh?

We're going to have crab tonight. I can't wait.

REReader said...

I've always used the shell-to-shell method, but that looks like too much fun not to try. :)

(I've never had crabs and never will, but if they're nice, enjoy!)

Anonymous said...

I've never had crabs either is a much more comfortable way to live ;)

REReader said...

EATEN. I have never eaten any kind of shellfish, because they are not kosher. *sigh*

Anonymous said...

RR -- thank you for the giggle.

John, L, are you going to catch the crabs yourselves and have a beach picnic? And if you are, who's in charge of collecting the meal?

Sherlock, jumping in the pool with Lestrade doing silly things on the way sounds like a great way to wake up.

Mycroft, that must be a good book, to keep you out of the water!

rsf

John H. D. Watson said...

I feel like I've said this about nearly every trip we've all been on together, but this may be my favourite holiday ever.

REReader said...

Well, you lot have had some amazing holidays!

Greg Lestrade said...

RSF - we bought them. I was going to get live ones, but then Sherlock's plans for the rest of the day began to unfold and include playing with the crabs in the garden, taking them in the swimming pool... So I told him he mustn't play with his food, and asked the guy to dispatch the poor crabs for us. So now they're in ice in the bottom of the fridge until I cook them ... which I'll probably do about now.

Anonymous said...

Ah. That was probably wise. Not so much because you shouldn't play with your food, as you shouldn't play with food that can damage you. And it's must simpler to buy than to forage when you have small hungry boys about.

rsf (who wants seafood for supper now)

Anonymous said...

It's much simpler. (Gosh, how did I mess up that one.)

rsf

REReader said...

It's the fault of autocorrect!

Greg Lestrade said...

Been simpler to buy the meat out of the shell... but this couldn't be fresher (unless I'd killed them myself). And I'm even putting fresh chilli in it (seeds from mine very carefully removed.)

REReader said...

Has this place got an outdoor kitchen, or are you temporarily indoors for cooking?

John H. D. Watson said...

And even more important than not playing with your food is not getting emotionally attached to it before dinner time.

Anonymous said...

Don't fancy new pets then, John?

Lancs. Anon

Small Hobbit said...

Yes, that could have ended very badly (and not just for the crabs)

Greg Lestrade said...

There's a sort of barbecue/outdoor fire, but I'm inddors. However, the doors to the lounge/kitchen open straight out onto the terrace and lawn, so I can see John lazing in the hammock and the boys in the pool.

desert wanderer said...

i don't know many people too attached to their crabs, no mater how attached their crabs are to them.

REReader said...

And even more important than not playing with your food is not getting emotionally attached to it before dinner time.

Very definitely. (But it's a very human thing to happen, in the best way. :))


I hope the hammock and pool are talking distance (or at least yelling distance) from you, then!

Greg Lestrade said...

Well..I could hear Sherlock, that's for sure... And heard John's surprise when Sherlock decided to 'board' his hammock...

REReader said...

Hee!

(Now, what did Sherlock want with a hammock? I can't imagine it was a rest break!)

John H. D. Watson said...

He wanted a hug and to drip all over me.

REReader said...

Awwwwww. *goes all gooey*

Greg Lestrade said...

...Yeah, it's just that since being by all the boats this morning we've been having a lot of pirate-speak, so I think he yelled 'Avast, ye scurvy sea-dog!' and then threw himself onto John and the hammock... which went about as well as you can imagine.

Luckily they didn't actually capsize, but as I found out earlier, a hammock actually manages to almost treble the number of pointy-bony-limbs a six year old can dig into soft parts of you, purely by magic.

REReader said...

Hammocks are magic, tis true.

(Personally, I favor rocking chairs. Because when my family used to go to the beach for summers, the porch had a view of the boardwalk and ocean and was full of big, old-fashioned, wooden rocking chairs. And if you turned them around they made great horses.)

Desert Wanderer said...

and how did Doc take to being called navy? i mean, i know he's a soldier, but even they have standards. ;)

John H. D. Watson said...

I was forced to chase him around for a while and then toss him back in the pool. Which backfired completely, because now it's his favourite way to enter the water.

Greg Lestrade said...

He's going out with me, so his standards aren't very high ;)

I don't know how he took it, I only heard the pained yelp of a man who's just received an elbow to an internal organ, and then the ensuing chase...

Anonymous said...

Hammocks are better than rocking chairs, imho, RR, because you can rock them and rock them without squishing anybody's toes by accident. Even if you do fall out.

And L, I think it's not a bad thing for kids to make the connection between their plates and where the food came from, so I hope the extra work of getting the meat out of the crabs is worth it.

John, I'm sure Sherlock can go much higher on his way into the pool if Lestrade is launching him. Of course, that means you get stuck cooking...

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

Hammocks are better because you can stretch out with Danger by your side and rock together.

The crab was enjoyed, Sherlock is asleep, Mycroft is content. Peace has descended.

pandabob said...

what a great way to spend your adult time :-)

You all sound so happy and relaxed it's impossible not to smile at every comment :-)

enjoy your evening

Small Hobbit said...

Sounds a lovely way to finish the evening.

I hope Mycroft wakes you up to tell you he's going to bed :)

Greg Lestrade said...

Ha, there is indeed a risk we'll fall asleep.

I think yesterday finally caught up with Shortstuff, he was almost asleep on his feet after dinner. Meant no last desperate pleas for swimming to be contended with, and made for a relaxed evening all round.

Anon Without A Name said...

It sounds like you've had, and are having, a blissful evening :-)

REReader said...

OMG, you found a way to wear Sherlock out!

Clearly, you'll all have to move to wherever you are permanently. :)

Greg Lestrade said...

nah, he was up2-3 hours early yesterday, only went to bed on time and without protest tonight, not early. So we're still running a net loss.

Although moving here would be nice.

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't you get bored?

Greg Lestrade said...

yeah, I would. I almost said that :)

What could I do...open a cookery school? I dunno. I think I'd miss work and the city pretty soon.

Anon Without A Name said...

Don't know if any of the American readers/commenters are in the Gulf states area, but hope everyone's staying safe.

pandabob said...

working hard is what makes you tick isn't in Greg but all the hard work means you appreciate holiday fun time all the more I would think :-)

Anonymous said...

I would think if you moved there you'd have to take up a career as a biologist or something -- or a pool boy.

;D

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

...and Mycroft has indeed just woken us up. Off to bed for all of us now, I think.

Anon Without A Name said...

Mycroft - are you enjoying the holiday? It sounds as if you're finding some time to relax and read and have some space for yourself?

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