Sherlock, reliably, woke us up horrifically early, and was only pacified by offerings of food and drink for a very short while.
We dragged John out of bed, stuck him on his bike, mounted up on mine and....got as far as The City. Where we stopped for coffee and food, given John had woken up, and it was definitely going to be a multiple-coffee sort of day.
It was nice being out so early, passing all of the sights in London with the roads virtually to ourselves.
Then, with the sun already beating down on us, we were off.
It was still surprisingly quiet when we reached our destination - Southend. Home of the cockney beach-goer ;)
The water was flat calm - we'd actually arrived at slack water, so even flatter than it was the rest of the time.
We walked out on the pier - here it is from the end.
I would've gone shirtless, were it not for my war-wounds from Maftet... (I mean, given Mycroft was miles away, he'd never have known! I was already in the full shorts-flip-flops-shirt mode ;) )
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| 1.34 Miles of Pier. |
It went significantly better than his conversation with the fisherman...
"What are you trying to catch?"
"A bass."
"How do you catch one of those?"
-Fisherman explains his bait, pulls it all out of the water, shows Sherlock lead weights, bait attached every foot or so, explains what each bit is, then casts back out again.
Sherlock waits for about 30 seconds then says "Can you stop talking about it and catch one now please?"
...the fisherman failed to produce. Sherlock was unimpressed.
We could also just make out the Sea Forts, in amongst a wind farm - although you'll have to trust me on that as they don't show up in the pictures.
 |
| A view |
But sadly we couldn't see the wreck Sherlock wanted to, because it was too far away and the shipping lane was really busy.
Finally, after all the fun of the pier, we headed back to shore on the train, with the promise of walking on the beach and eating ice-cream and fish and chips and things. And eventually, once John's ears were pink and he swore he could see me tanning in front of his eyes, we headed home.
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| A hovercraft (not full of eels), some fishermen (not catching anything) and a sign the lifeboat crew may regret. |
(Bonus points for the song connection to today's blog.)
89 comments:
It sounds like you had a fantastic day which is how it should be when you get a day off work :-)
I'm sure you and John will come up with a plan for tomorrow and if you don't you can always have a lie down after the school run and wait for inspiration ;-)
You were absolutely tanning as I watched. Unfair.
I had factor 50 on! But anyway, can't help my DNA :)
I am slightly worried that when Sherlock gets his hair cut he'll have a very white neck/forehead/ears, and the rest of him will be quite tanned.
He'll probably like the way it looks.
True.
Want a G&T? I could do with one.
Yes please. Seems like an appropriate end to the day.
doesn't it just?
I've had a great day. Pretty much perfect.
Do feel a little sorry for Maf, abandoning her. I did imagine we'd get home to some sort of mischief, but seems like Mrs H has been spoiling her instead.
I am glad you all had a pleasant day.
I did some revision whilst watching the cricket game at school.
Sorry you weren't with us. Glad you at least got outside into the fresh air.
So nice to hear of your doings, Mycroft. I admire your industry.
L. - Did you plan this trip knowing the lifeboat service was having open house? If so I BOW DOWN before your trip planning & parenting skill.
No clue on the song. When I google I hope sincerely it is a band that was bigger in the UK than the US and had their peak in the early to mid '90s when I had small children and missed much of pop culture. (Yes, it bugs me unreasonably when I have no clue.)
fA
Blast from the past for Arsenal fans. Who knew they were at the forefront?
pic.twitter.com/RbEe3zDON8
fA
thanks for the great photos of the seaside, I was hoping for some. I have almost 450 photos to sift through from Saturday's wedding, it's a bit daunting. but from a quick first pass to delete obvious duds and turn things right side up, it looks like I did get some good ones. :)
S
If the weather you've got is anything like the weather we have, pandabob's suggestion of a lie down after your busy day yesterday seems like a very good idea.
It's okay at the moment. Very muggy though.
What are we in for?
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-27759994
I'd be very grateful if people could share that wherever they think it would be useful to.
holy cow, that's horrifying! :(
S
There are a lot of low-lifes out there. And deeply ignorant people full of fear and ill will. On top of folks with actual mental health issues. I'm thankful for the police, medical & emergency service people who deal with it every day.
fA
We went for a run earlier.
Got in, collapsed panting on the floor (why just be an old queen when you can be an old drama queen?) tried to persuade John to get me some water, as he was getting his own anyway... And Maf hops off the window ledge, walks over, and, exactly as she does to the dogs, stepped onto me, curled up as best she could, and settled for a kip.
At least I know where I am in the hierarchy. Just below the dogs.
Well, you were really warm... Better than sunshine probably ;)
Even warmer with that hot little foghorn lookalike sitting on me!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27770266
Shocked to hear the news about Rik. He was always my guy. I was born on the same day as him (but quite a few years later) so I've always felt an infinity and have loved all his films/TV shows and seen him live 7 times in his solo shows and Bottom Live & New Statesman tours. My mum unbeknownst to me sent a birthday card for him to sign for my 18th birthday and though it didn't come in time for that as he was filming I can still remember standing in the kitchen shaking as I opened it and realised that this man who was my hero had signed the card with a personal message and enclosed a signed picture too. Don't really know how I feel right now - too stunned to believe it almost. So so sad.
Arse! I meant affinity, of course,not infinity! What would Rik humour be without a bit of 'arse' here and there.
It is incredibly sad. 56 is no age, is it?
Joolz, it IS amazing how important some public figures become to us, especially when they meant something when we were young. I always hope that they realize that - that some fans are really sincerely touched by their work, and feel it has made them better, stronger, braver or wiser people.
And yeah. 56 seems quite young. (So much younger than it did when I could not imagine being that age.)
fA
these two days have gone far too fast. :(
it always seems unfair that days off go so much more quickly than days at work :-(
I hope its not too long before you get some more days at home :-)
I shall make sure it isn't!
Only a couple of weeks and Mycroft's exams will be all done, and we'll get him back - but not until after his Leavers' Ball! Sadly he didn't want our help choosing a tux :(
This year seems to have flown by but its nice that Mycroft will be home for a proper holiday soon, he certainly deserves it after all his hard work :-)
I'm sure Mycroft will look amazing for his ball but not quite as good as he would have if he'd let you help with the choosing ;-)
How does that work in an all boys school?
It is not a ball. It is a concert, after which there will be some food and refreshments.
Anon - for me it would work really rather well in an all boys school ;)
Sorry Mycroft, I think you said suits and music and things and I just assumed you lot somehow persuaded a girls' school to join you!
All sounds very civilised.
Can't say tat hadn't run through my mind, L!
Seems a shame they don't get a chance to cut the rug...so to speak.
As one who wasn't in a coed classroom until I hit grad school, a single-sex class event seems perfectly normal--and a concert with party after sounds very enjoyable. Do you know what kind of music, Mycroft?
It will be Handel’s Messiah. The music society have been rehearsing for it for some time.
Lovely! A very sophisticated event, most appropriate.
Mycroft, I am sure you will look very smart, if slightly more conventional than if L had a say in your clothing.
I'd have made him look fabulous!
But he probably wants to aim more for 'understated and stylish'...
Handel's Messiah and tuxes! I feel rather peasant-ish. Or like a rude colonial. No fear that Mycroft will look like either.
I wish I had had the capacity to really appreciate the Messiah at Mycroft's age though. I like, if not always fully appreciate, nearly all sorts of music, but it's taken me decades to get here.
fA
They have to spead their sartorial wings sometime, L! :)
I hear you about range of musical tastes, fA. I've got pretty eclectic tastes myself now, but it took time! Although I did start listening to a wide variety of classical music fairly young, thanks to the three NYC radio stations that used to be exclusively classical in my youth--no longer, alas.
Mycrofts sartorial wings are well spread, so to speak. I just like buying clothes.
He also has leavers services, leavers' dinners, leavers all sorts.
Has he made a decision about 6th Form?
I think so.. Bit I'll let him tell you if he wants.
It's such a glorious day! I want a completely bogus call out to get to the sun. Remains found that turn out to be a bear or something :)
Danger...the weather might've made me do something silly.
Silly but not irreversible!
How silly?
How does one measure silliness?
About 59 ridiculons?
I'm now wondering what you think I might have done ;)
Shaved your head?
No...but tempted.
What then?
Said we might be interested in taking over someone's entry to the Royal Parks Half Marathon.
His wife's pregnant, they don't want to do it anymore.
That sounds great! When is it?
October 12. Scarily soon. In a 13 mile sort of sense.
Yay go half marathon!
October is MONTHS away. You've got this. If I did this distance in my early 40s (and I am NO runner) you two are golden.
fA
You guys make me feel bad for not maintaining any sort of physical regimen recently. Thanks for that. :P
Sherlock can coach you!
I definitely need to start running to work.
DW - It's so much sweeter to rediscover how good a little vigorous exercise can feel (once it's over). I know, I've had that rediscovery experience sooooo many times! ;-)
fA
Is Danger quiet because a. He's out running or b. he's catatonic with shock (c. He's packed his bags and left me)
October seems fine? We were talking about July before.
July is... Virtually next week. I don't think I could do 13 by then. Too many ice creams, not enough training.
But October should be fine :)
Stop sounding so cheerful.
Nope! :)
You have to promise to give me mouth to mouth if I die. It'll be my last moment on this earth
I'll do it before you die, I think.
Sherlock sent me a text saying he'll eat most of my ice cream for me. I presume he means in addition to his own, not instead of.
Very selfless of him...
("Cat-atonic," Lestrade? Terrible.)
Fortunately coffee is not believed to inhibit athletic prowess.
Now the summer holidays can have fun* training runs in great locales instead of fear of collapsing on the way up a mountain.
* term possibly used loosely
fA
My fear is that it won't take a mountain! Just a gentle slope.
DW - ;). I think John should carry Maf around with him.
You both have to run fast soon anyway because it's sports day soon and you should win.
Sherlock's priorities are consistent. The honor of the family must be upheld. ;-)
fA
John and Lestrade should definitely win at sports day with all the practising you'll make them do, Sherlock. Do you know what races you'll be doing yet.
Can I just remind everyone that there are only 2 days left to join up to our World Cup competition before the first match which is on Thursday at 9 pm GMT. We have 13 competitors so far so it should be great fun. I'll list the names just in case anyone thinks they may have entered but the form hasn't gone through or something like that, I'd hate for anyone to be disappointed about not joining in. So far we have: Lestrade, Lancs Anon, Small Hobbit, MT88, Desert Wanderer, kholly, Z, anonybob, graham22, mags, Paula, Nameless and Joolz.
So if anyone else wants to sign up then here is the link for the entry form again. (I know Sherlock expressed an interest if he is allowed to join too.)
http://www.carryon.org.uk/worldcup2014/index.php/614726/lang-en
As we've all said, you really don't need to be interested in football to join in, it'll just be fun for us all to get involved together I think and once you've made up your predictions you don't have to do anything else - not even watch the matches! (this rankings list is very helpful for your guesses http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/10835958/World-Cup-2014-countries-Fifa-world-rankings.html).
Yes I want to! I'm doing it right now.
I filled it out completely and totally at random. (I didn't know that some of those countries even played soccer at all.)
I did it! Did you get mine? Lestrade helped a tiny bit but not much.
Thanks Sherlock, I've got your entry so that's great. :)
RR - Thanks for joining in. I'm really sorry but you've done the same as DW did and just put the team names instead of putting what you think the score for each game will be. Is there any chance you could re-do it - sorry to make you go through it all again. You can just put the answers in like 1-0, 2-1 etc. Thanks. :)
...Where am I supposed to put in scores? I just clicked buttons!
(I don't even know what soccer scores look like! Are they high or low numbers generally?)
(I should add that I don't know what football or baseball scores look like either. Tennis scores, now, I know what they look like!)
Low. Three goals is the most you generally get, but frequently things end 0-0 or 1-0.
you put the scores of all the early matches in the box under each game RR. Scores tend to be quite low 1 - 0 up to maybe 3 or 4 0 and of course draws would be 0 0 or 1 1 etc
the numbers go the same way around as the teams so for Brazil v Croatia a Brazil win might be 1 0 a Croatia win might be 0 2 and a draw might be 1 1
not sure if that makes any sense at all because I've never actually tried to explain it before but there you go :-D
In each of the boxes underneath where it says the names of the teams for each game you can just type in the numbers of what you think the score will be. So in the first box where it says Brazil v Croatia - if you think Brazil will win you can put 1-0 or 2-0 or if you think Croatia will win you can put 0-1 or for a draw put 1-1 etc. The teams don't usually score more than about 3 goals each so most games will probably be 1-0, or 2-1 or something like that. If you use the rankings list then the likelihood is that teams at the top are more likely to beat the teams at the bottom or if they are about at the same level then it could well be a draw so I would say if you want to be random just put in a few scores using that list as your guess - that's certainly what I've done. ;) Hope that helps.
Okay, thank you everyone! (I have a strong suspicion I didn't even pick the same winners this time.)
Thanks RR, that's brilliant and all quite reasonable guesses so you have as much chance as anyone in this thing. Good luck. :)
Sherlock has not informed us of any specific events we should train for. Just that we should win.
And I thought it was the taking part...
Sports day is MUCH more important than the Olympics.
(And thank you, Joolz!)
Mm. apparently he needs cake for sports day too...
Heh. Are you surprised?
Cake for sports day has now been repeated enough times to become a Tradition. Once something is a Tradition, you're lucky they bother to mention it to you rather than just looking around the night before (or day of!) and asking where it is?
fA
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