28 October 2012

I Hear The Train A-Coming

Yesterday we went to a place that's the place that all of the old things from London Transport live. It was buses and trains and signals and signposts and everything.

Some of them were really really old and some were a bit old and some were broken and some had been mended and it was interesting to see everything. There were signs for Harrow for Mycroft and there were signs saying Finchley like Lestrade's name and we got to go in some and the man said if we went back again then there's a time you can see what it's like to drive one!



Here's a really nice one they've made be like it was new:


It was an Underground train and it had a wooden floor and walls and pretty lights and old signs inside it.

They had tube trains too and some that were experiments to see if people liked the insides but then the people didn't so they were never made for real.

And here's one they're making nice again except now it's all burnt because they put it somewhere and people set it on fire.

And you can see right through all the burnt bits. That's why you shouldn't make them out of wood.

Some of them they'd made like in the war with netting on the windows so if a bomb blew up the glass wouldn't hurt you. They had buses too and one of them had it's lights done so you couldn't see them and that meant the driver couldn't see at all! And the man said more people died because of the cars and buses crashing than because of bombs.

I want to go back again on the day when you can see how things worked more.

I also want a confetti cannon and bubbles and LOADS of flowers and the dogs should wear flowers too and I want a suit if John and Lestrade are and even Mummy said she was very excited and she doesn't really get excited about anything. And the cake should be huge and have colours and flowers and chocolate and there should be dancing with coloured lights and lasers and a party that lasts all day and all night. And so far Lestrade and John won't even say what flowers they like!

And all of that post was by me, Sherlock, except Lestrade said the title because I don't know many songs and his titles are all songs.

87 comments:

Greg Lestrade said...

It was very interesring. Even if Sherlock couldn't believe that John and I remembered travelling on some of the old stuff.

Small Hobbit said...

Very interesting post, Sherlock. That sounds like the sort of place I'd like to visit, because I'm sure I would remember some of the things,just like John and Lestrade. And yes, I do remember when there were pounds, shillings and pence.

It wouldn't surprise me if John and Lestrade want to take things slowly and just start by enjoying being engaged before they begin to seriously plan their wedding.

John H. D. Watson said...

We'll definitely try to go back. I think it'd be interesting too.

I'm sure we'll have...a few of those things. One or two, at least. Definitely cake. And as much as I'd like to marry him right this moment, we do need a bit of time to plan.

Greg Lestrade said...

...and need to legally give 15 days notice of when and where we're to have our civil partnership to get our licence.

You can't just get married when and where you feel like, Sherlock. There's a certain amount of planning you have to do.

Sherlock said...

But if you both want to get married and you're not already to someone else you should just be allowed! That's stupid.

Anon Without A Name said...

It's not really stupid Sherlock. Partly it's to allow other people to notify the registrar if there's a problem - for example, if one of the people isn't old enough to get married, or is already married. It's also that Marriage and Civil Partnership is a public commitment, so notice has to be given in public.

And it's always worth giving people a few days to think it over so that they're absolutely sure that getting married is what they want to do, not something they're just doing on the spur of the moment but will regret in the morning.

Sherlock said...

They won't regret it!

Anon Without A Name said...

I'm quite sure they won't regret it Sherlock, not at all. But the rules are made to protect everyone, and not everyone is as sensible and sure as Lestrade and John.

Don't forget, the wedding itself is just one day. They're going to be married for a very long time, so there's no need for them to rush into the day itself; it's OK for them to take some time to enjoy being engaged, and to plan the day that they want. With cake :-)

REReader said...

No, they won't, Sherlock. Nameless didn't mean John and Lestrade, but was thinking about some people who haven't thought it through first.

There are some states in the US where they let people get married the same day they decide to--but mostly, it's kind of sad when they do that. Because it's one thing if people decide they don't want anyone else there when they get married, but it's another thing if the reason they don't have family or friends there is because they didn't think it out. And you know, John and Lestrade want to have the people closest to them there when they join their lives together officially--you and Mycroft, of course, and your mum and Mrs. Hudson, but also the people they love that aren't right there. And they want it to be extra special for themselves and everyone else, so that means making plans, and thinking it all out.

And besides, it can be a lot of fun to plan out a wedding! I think Lestrade said in one of the comments that maybe spring or summer, and that will give you all time to plan without feeling all rushed and stressed--and maybe they'd like to get married outside, like they got engaged, and you want warm weather for that.

(And you might like the time to think of an plan a surprise you could do for a wedding present--like the surprise you gave everyone last year at the Christmas show!)

REReader said...

And I almost forgot to say--that transit museum trip sounds like the most fun! I really, really liked your descriptions and pictures. It makes me think I should go see the transit museum in New York--after the hurricane is over, of course. :) It should be even more fun to go back when they show what it's like to drive a bus or train, whichever they show you!

pandabob said...

Thank you for such an interesting post about your trip Sherlock it sounds like you had lots of fun and hopefully you will be able to go back again when the time is right.

If you want all those things for the wedding Sherlock, even without thinking about what John or Greg might want for their wedding, you are going to need time to plan it and organise those things, perfection can't be rushed :-)

Anonymous said...

That's a really great looking old train. It looks much more comfortable than the metro trains I was riding on this morning. Did they let you sit in it or just look? I'm wondering if it just looks good but wasn't very comfortable.

Sherlock said...

We sat in it it was as comfy as a new ones because the new ones are like that anyway but not wood. We're going to the museum too some time because I want to now.

REReader said...

The wood does make it look pretty special. I wonder if wood is a better absorber of rattles and bumps than the metal they use today--did anyone say? (I imagine wood is too expensive--and as you said, too likely to burn!--to use today anyway.)

Sherlock said...

Nobody said that and I don't know what wood it was but they use Ash to make buses. There was a fire and Lestrade and John both remember it and after that they made lots of things not be wood anymore and I think a lot of people died.

REReader said...

I don't know specifically which fire John and Lestrade were talking about, but that sounds like a very sensible reaction to what was surely a great tragedy. Wood does burn all too well.

Greg Lestrade said...

Kings Cross, in '87.

Anon Without A Name said...

It does look like a really interesting day out, Sherlock.

ReRe - I think that would be the Kings Cross fire, which was caused when a wooden escalator caught fire (likely due to a dropped match).

REReader said...

I was already reading the wikipedia article, Nameless, because of L's comment--thanks, both of you. Horrific. I'm pretty sure I'd never heard of it before, which is really very odd.

I don't think the NYC subways have had a major fire like that (and now someone will bring a link proving me wrong!), but I know that small track fires caused by trash on the tracks used to be very common indeed.

Kestrel337 said...

What an amazing museum. We have one similar to this in Minnesota, hubs and I visited it last time we were in Duluth. Interactive museums are my second favorite, right after living history sites. Great post Sherlock, I could really feel your excitement and enjoyment.

Anonymous said...

I visited London a long time ago and I remember riding on one of the old wooden escalators. They were very narrow and the "steps" were very shallow, and it took a long time to get to the top. (The one I rode was at Baker Street, I think.) I thought it was neat though, because it felt like a tie back to the first people who would have used the subway.

But when it comes right down to it, Safety is really important.

I stumbled across a neat website about the Underground, which has information about the tile designs and a map you can use to jump to any point in history if you're interested, or watch change over time as an animation.

rsf

Sherlock said...

It wasn't even a museum, it was just where they keep old stuff that was a real place. But we're going to go to their museum too now because it was fun and that has more stuff to do on your own and you don't need a real person to tell you about it.

And now I'm going to school and I'm going to tell EVERYONE about the wedding and I bet no one else had as good a half term as me.

Small Hobbit said...

I'm sure you're right about having had the best half term, Sherlock. Even so, do try and let the others say something about their half terms too - which is something that a lot of adults find hard.

pandabob said...

Enjoy telling your story Sherlock and enjoy listening to everyone else stories of their holidays, first day back at school is always exciting :-)

Have a good day Greg, you to John.

Anonymous said...

I bet you're right, Sherlock! It was the most amazing half-term of all.

Anon Without A Name said...

Have a great first day back, Sherlock :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Have a good day, Sherlock. And like everyone said, make sure you listen to other people. If you don't hear what they did you won't know if your half term was the best. And remember different people like different things, so some people wouldn't have enjoyed camping or trains, so they'll probably think their half term was better. And that's fine. I'm very glad you enjoyed your half term, though. That makes me very happy.

REReader said...

I hope you're having a great first day back at school, Sherlock, sharing your holiday stories with everyone and hearing about theirs.

And a not-museum sounds awfully cool! When you go to the actual museum, you'll know what they don't have there, too! :)

Anonymous said...

Sherlock, have you started building your boat yet?

rsf

Sherlock said...

Yes! John and I got wood for it and I talked to John's father on the phone because he carves wood things and he said maybe I could carve it from one piece of really soft wood if I was careful with the tools and had Lestrade help with the hard parts.

REReader said...

Ooh, that sounds like it would be really good--then there won't be any joints to leak in the water! (And I'm sure the squash-carving is good practice for wood carving. Aside from being fun!)

Greg Lestrade said...

...how did I end up helping to carve it??

Anonymous said...

Your moose building skills have made you legendary.

rsf

pandabob said...

carving your boat is a really good idea Sherlock there's far less chance of getting a hole in it and it sinking that way I'd have thought.

Don't pretend you don't love working with your hands Greg ;-)

Sherlock said...

he said John wasn't good at it

I am sleeping don't come up

Greg Lestrade said...

Amazing! Posting in your sleep without a phone or laptop!

I will be up there in 30 seconds and you'd better be asleep!

Anon Without A Name said...

John - It's no consolation at all, I know, but my parents always assumed that my husband was/is better than me everything apart from cooking and housework...

John H. D. Watson said...

It's all right, I'm used to it.

REReader said...

I'd think that since you have the manual dexterity to cut and sew people, you'd be quite as expert with wood carving as you'd want to be, John.

Anon Without A Name said...

John - you seem more pragmatic about it than I am; it drives me crazy.

Hope all our East Coast people are safe.

Greg Lestrade said...

when my mum meets his parents it'll be like an argument about whose son is the worst. Excellent! Although if each side tries to convince the other that theirs is better...you never know, they might end up thinking between us we're nearly one whole competent adult.

pandabob said...

That is about the most depressing thing I've ever heard Greg! Between you you make about 27 competent adults and don't ever doubt it ;-)

I hope works ok :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Sorry, didn't mean to be depressing.

Small Hobbit said...

I sometimes wonder if it's a generational thing: our parents generation believe they missed out on things in life for whatever reason, so they pin their hopes on their offspring, who, when they don't do what they particularly wanted them to do are deemed failures.

pandabob said...

Congratulations on completely missing the point of what I wrote Greg.

Greg Lestrade said...

Er...sorry? But thank you for the bit about us being competent. I generally feel fairly competent. Not always, mind... but who does?

pandabob said...

Sorry Greg, I'm having a crappy and completely incompetent day here and I'm sorry, you didn't deserve that.

I hope work treats you well.

Greg Lestrade said...

Hey, no worries. Hope your day improves dramatically.

Work is, as usual when politics gets involved, chaotic and grumpy.

Anonymous said...

The BBC reckon you'll be flitting at work?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20126936

Seems faintly ridiculous, but then cuts of this nature are often horrible examples of shorttermism.

Hope everyone's days are good and get better

Lancs. Anon

John H. D. Watson said...

Nameless - I'm just relieved they like him, to be honest. I think they're pretty well incapable of approving of both of us, so I was either going to hear about his shortcomings or mine forevermore, and hearing about mine is less infuriating.

Greg Lestrade said...

You don't have any shortcomings.

Greg Lestrade said...

(i want you all to appreciate the effort it took there not to try and crack a joke)

REReader said...

May I say that I'm so pleased that you both now have a family that values you properly? :)

REReader said...

(i want you all to appreciate the effort it took there not to try and crack a joke)

*nodding appreciatively*

John H. D. Watson said...

L - ha. I do appreciate it! Very kind. Do you want to get lunch or coffee or something before I pick up Sherlock?

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, lunch and coffee, brilliant.

John H. D. Watson said...

Excellent. Just let me know when.

Greg Lestrade said...

Now? Sooner the better.

John H. D. Watson said...

Right, just about there if you want to come down.

Greg Lestrade said...

Lancs. - yeah, have to change my header again. DI Lestrade of some random nick somewhere in London. Be very odd if they do sell it and scatter us.

Might be somewhere my gorgeous husband-to-be can't buy me coffee and lunch...

REReader said...

...sell Scotland Yard?! What a bizarre idea.

Greg Lestrade said...

I wouldn't say bizarre. But I shall be sad.

REReader said...

Perhaps they'll think better of it. Here's hoping.

Greg Lestrade said...

I dunno. Don't expect anyone was too cut up when they got rid of Scotland Yard for NSY.

REReader said...

...Maybe you'll end up with a shorter commute.

Greg Lestrade said...

As long as my team stays intact and I don't get moved to another department I don't mind too much.

John H. D. Watson said...

If they do move, do you think they'll call the new one New New Scotland Yard? Scotland Yard v3.0? Son of New Scotland Yard?

REReader said...

The Search for Scotland Yard? The Return of Scotland Yard?

Greg Lestrade said...

NSY Jr. Staffed by one PCSO and a PD.

Sherlock said...

What will they do with all the things can I have some? I want the fingerprint computer and the breathing one and a cell.

John H. D. Watson said...

Who are you planning to keep in the cell?

REReader said...

I can see how a fingerprint computer would be a nice thing to have, though. A breathalizer would be interesting, too.

:D

KHolly said...

For that matter, where are you planning to put the cell?

Sherlock said...

Anyone who's bad.

REReader said...

Hmmm, that seems appropriate, Sherlock.

Have you decided what kind of boat you are going to carve?

Greg Lestrade said...

Sherlock, when I get home tonight can John and I go for a run (if he wants). Danger, can you see if Mrs H is free to watch him for a bit? (Full moon was last night, she should be safe ;) )

John H. D. Watson said...

She says yes and Sherlock has also agreed, although with slightly more grumpiness.

Greg Lestrade said...

Sorry, Sherlock, I just want to get out in the fresh air a bit.

When I get home after we'll cut out some spooky shapes from newspaper to put in the windows so people in the street think we've got ghosts and vampires in the flat, huh?

Sherlock said...

Yes! And huge things with fangs and we put lights and make them have spooky shadows!

pandabob said...

enjoy your run gents and the spookyfying of your house :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, you draw out some very simple shapes when you're with Mrs H - remember they'll just be like shadows from the outside. And we'll make them when we're back.

Just leaving now.

Anonymous said...

This might give you some ideas

http://thisisevenharderthannamingablog.tumblr.com/post/34648649740/incidentalcomics-the-haunted-orchestra

Lancs. Anon

REReader said...

Or these: http://www.clipartpal.com/clipart_pd/holiday/halloween/halloweensilhouette1.html

Maz said...

Might be too late, but these little guys were very quick and easy. There were 4 last night. There are now 10.

https://twitter.com/i/#!/Mazarin221b/media/slideshow?url=pic.twitter.com%2FYdRVmc9X

REReader said...

Those little ones are so creepy and adorable! How do you even do that? (Make something creepily adorable, that is. :))

Maz said...

Husband did most of them, and now there's a small minion army. He just experimented to see what sorts of mouths ended up with the best creepy smiles! We're keeping all the pins and teeth for next year. :)

REReader said...

Everyone should have lots of minions.

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