I think Lestrade mentioned some of these, but...
Things Sherlock tried to pack on Sunday, for your entertainment:
A smaller bag inside his bag, so that he could bring 'nearly twice as many things!' back with him as he took with him.
Spoons.
A dog.
Mycroft.
The attempt to pack his brother was mainly in retaliation for Mycroft working out how to put books in collections in the Kindle before he did. There is, at the moment, only one Kindle, because Sherlock went unexpectedly Luddite on us and declared that he only liked real books. Of course, now that we're here, and Mycroft has unlimited book access and he doesn't, he wants one desperately.
Oh, and I didn't fall asleep in the airport, whatever L says. Don't listen to him. I think I did sleep on him for most of the flight though.
And now we're here, and it's...honestly one of the nicest places I've ever been. It's strange. I'm still not used to being able to afford proper grown up holidays that don't involve sleeping on someone's sofa. I know I ought to be; I'm certainly old enough, but it still seems faintly unreal.
I'm writing this next to the pool. You can hear wind ruffling the leaves, hear the waves rolling in, smell the salt. Just woke up from a bloody awful dream, but I don't even care as long as I don't wake up from this. Trying to decide whether L would be cranky if I woke him up for a very late night swim...
Things Sherlock tried to pack on Sunday, for your entertainment:
A smaller bag inside his bag, so that he could bring 'nearly twice as many things!' back with him as he took with him.
Spoons.
A dog.
Mycroft.
The attempt to pack his brother was mainly in retaliation for Mycroft working out how to put books in collections in the Kindle before he did. There is, at the moment, only one Kindle, because Sherlock went unexpectedly Luddite on us and declared that he only liked real books. Of course, now that we're here, and Mycroft has unlimited book access and he doesn't, he wants one desperately.
Oh, and I didn't fall asleep in the airport, whatever L says. Don't listen to him. I think I did sleep on him for most of the flight though.
And now we're here, and it's...honestly one of the nicest places I've ever been. It's strange. I'm still not used to being able to afford proper grown up holidays that don't involve sleeping on someone's sofa. I know I ought to be; I'm certainly old enough, but it still seems faintly unreal.
I'm writing this next to the pool. You can hear wind ruffling the leaves, hear the waves rolling in, smell the salt. Just woke up from a bloody awful dream, but I don't even care as long as I don't wake up from this. Trying to decide whether L would be cranky if I woke him up for a very late night swim...
132 comments:
Well, if you have to have horrid nightmare, it has to be nice to wake up in a dream of a spot.
I bet L would be pleased to take a late-night, adults-only swim with you. ;) After all, safety first, which means no solo swims! :)
(Oh, and I like real books best, too, Sherlock! Especially as designing and typesetting them is how I make a living. And why designing and typesetting them is how I make a living.
But I can see how an eReader would be handy, just for on vacation and traveling.)
Sherlock wouldn't be short of books if Lestrade had kept all twenty of the ones he packed in his luggage.
And I have to agree with him about packing a smaller bag inside the big one. I generally do the same on vacation, because I'm going to come home with more books.
:D
Will it help you sleep if you try it on the hammock and pretend it's just a nap?
rsf
I'm still not used to being able to afford proper grown up holidays that don't involve sleeping on someone's sofa
Or, possibly, not getting arrested? ;)
There's a lot of holiday left to go yet DW, let's not tempt fate... ;)
Far enough, Lestrade. I hope there aren't any cattle, camels, or chihuahuas around...
Um... damn. I'll keep a very close eye on his, DW. Don't want to have to ring Mrs H for his bail money...
One bag inside the other is a great idea, I always forget that and the struggle to get things home.
Being able to afford grownup holidays is a great thing you work very hard and therefore you should holiday hard as well ;-)
Mycroft what are the children up to this morning?
Have another lovely day all of you
So I'm going to hazard a guess that Lestrade was not cranky at being woken up for a late-night swim. I suspect he's almost never going to be cranky at you waking him up for late-night/early-morning activities involving just the two of you :-)
I'm guessing Sherlock isn't too bothered by boring details like luggage allowances? Although if he could develop a tardis bag, that would solve many problems.
It sounds as though you're all having a wonderful time there; you definitely found an ideal place for your family getaway. You certainly deserve it; as Anonybob says, you guys work hard, you deserve good holidays :-)
Sherlock figured out John and I had been for a swim... Our shorts were too wet to be from the night before...
So I was forced to grab him, run nthrough the garden and jump in the pool holding him. Obviously. Then, once he'd finished trying to drown me we got out and made pancakes for everyone.
What a great way to start the day :-) I hope it is continuing in such a fun way.
I wish there was someone around to make pancakes for me, breakfast of pancake and ice cream is always our end of holiday treat :-)
So I was forced to grab him, run through the garden and jump in the pool holding him.
Obviously. *nods* A very fair compensation, I'd say. And an excellent start to the day!
Sorry, Lestrade. Might have fallen asleep. I'm a bit disappointed you would bail Doc out and not stage a daring rescue. You do have two genuises at your disposal and the power of love.
Also, I completely see the resoning behind jumping in this morning. Makes perfect sense to me. Hope today's just as good as yesterday was.
Pancakes are a requirement at times. Will you be swimming in the sea today with your snorkels?
rsf
We're at the beach and we're eating a picnic and then we're swimming more and we've already been in snorkelling and it's brilliant but I'm not allowed to touch anything or pick it up unless John and Lestrade or sometimes Mycroft because he's bossy have seen it and said it's okay and I can even dive under now and then clear my own snorkel but only if someone's with me and they know I'm going to.
You've been very good. mycroft isnt bossy, he's just watching out for you so you don't get stung or bitten or otherwise made unhappy by some innocent sea creature.
And when you say you can clear your own snorkel... You can, you're right. But perhaps not in the way most people will think you mean. You tend to surface and spit it out and then clear it... But I'm very impressed, as you're so new to it and you're doing very well.
I still clear mine like that Sherlock so I am really impressed :-)
The whole big brother telling you what to do thing is tricky especially when he is so much older than you Sherlock, I think you know in your heart of hearts that Mycroft is only doing it to keep you safe because he loves you but it is easy to feel like you have three people telling you what to do when you should have two telling you what to do and one helping you work out how to get away with things. I guess you'll have to content yourself with Lestrade for that ;-)
Wow, fun, Sherlock!
(I know it's so SLOW to have to wait for someone to tell you if it's okay to touch things, but some of the most painful underwater things look quite innocent and safe, like blobs of jelly or even like empty seashells.)
Sherlock, have you learned how to make it sound like a depth charge to someone under the water yet?
I've never been snorkeling, so I don't know what clearing the snorkel means but it sounds funny. That may be because the word snorkel sounds funny. Especially if you say it ten times. Is it harder to snorkel where there are lots of waves?
Do you have a book about what not to touch? Because I'm wondering how Mycroft knows. I'm glad you're being careful though, Sherlock, because visiting hospital emergency rooms means less time to have fun on a vacation. And it's boring.
rsf
By the way--I always bring a second (soft-and-foldable) bag in my bag when I go on vacation--I need something in which to carry the gifts I buy for everyone back home!
(You are going to bring gifts for Mrs Hudson and the dog-and-degu tending guy and so on, of course... )
Well, to be honest, we figured they wouldn't need gifts. Afterall, they're being paid and basically getting a holiday while we're gone, just playing with the livestock. That should be enough, right?
Mrs Hudson can keep whatever comes out of Sherlock's pockets in the wash....
I always bring seashells back from the beach, or neat pebbles. They make good "Thank you" presents.
rsf
No one NEEDS gifts, but it would be appropriate, and it makes people feel good. I'm certain Mrs Hudson would appreciate a "we were thinking of you" present--and maybe Sherlock could bring some small things back for Mrs T and Mrs N, too. Pretty shells *nods to rsf* and sea glass and driftwood make good beachy gifts.
RR - I don't think he was being serious there.
*sadly* I take almost everything literally. :(
I assumed he would be intentionally putting something in Sherlock's pockets for Mrs Hudson to find RR but who knows!
Presents are lovely whatever reason you get them for :-)
You have no idea how envious I am of you. I've just finished the second day of a three day first aid course, with an exam tomorrow. I can't remember most of what's been said because the lecturer is soooo boring. And it's been pouring with rain.
However, I do hope you continue to enjoy swimming, snorkelling, eating and the SUN!
SH, the sun is very nice, although John's ears are already pink on top because he always forgets to put sunblock there.
Good luck with your exam.
What John needs is a nice straw hat. (Of course, it won't help while he's in the water, but the rest of the time...)
Don't worry, RR, a lot of people think I'm that much of an arsehole. Admittedly mostly because I've arrested them, but I'm sure there are others too.
I am more than happy to put sunblock on John's ears for him. But his diving mask does make his ears stick out like a small manta ray....
Mycroft, are you sure he forgets? Or is it more that he has plenty of taller people to provide shade (Lestrade, you,...Sherlock)?
Manta rays are cute! Little ones, anyway.
rsf
I didn't think any such thing, L!!! My mother always gives me a list of people to buy things for when I go anywhere, and I'm 50--it's just what we DO!
They are, RSF, very cute, just like Danger-Ray here.
Everyone's ears stick out in a diving mask!
Lestrade, does that make Doc your Amor-ray?
(terrible, i know)
*sings* When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray!
...er... eel?
rsf
Now he's singing...
No, rsf.
When the moon hits your eye
Like a big pizza pie
That's amore
when you swim in a creek
And an eel bites your cheek
That's a moray.
He's making John dance now
Or Sherlock's version...when an eel bites your thigh and makes you start to cry, that's a moray.
Mycroft is probably wondering if he can go on holiday by himself next time.
Jellies sting, ting-a-ling-a-ling,
and it hurts so much that you're still yelling.
Sunburns peel and of aloe and
ointments you're smelling...
rsf
Earlier on Mycroft was throwing pebbles in the pool for Sherlock to fetch, as he knows an underwater Sherlock is the closest thing to a quiet Sherlock that we'll get.
He must've felt like the dogs were here...
Mycroft - I'm sure you've already discovered this, but the kindle can take music as well as ebooks, and has a standard headphone socket :-)
Just settling down for the Paralympic opening ceremony here; I reckon the Paralympics are going to be fantastic :-)
Sherlock is doing really well if he can play underwater chase, nice that they can play together as well ;-)
I hope you're having another lovely dinner and that the evening includes some grown up hammock time
We had some salad and lovely fresh ham, yeah. Sherlock is lobbying hard for a barbecue one night.
Think we might all jump in the pool again though. Well, those of us not already in it.
Managed to swim under water earlier, in the sea, sneak up to John and bite him on the arse. A job well done. :)
And don't think that won't come back to bite you, literally and metaphorically, on the arse.
I can't wait... :)
underwater kissing is a skill that might be worth working on ;)
Nice one, L :-)
dinner sounds lovely Greg :-)
I hope you get your revenge in a suitable fashion John ;-)
Anon - I assure you it has been worked on, especially last night. Although, as Sherlock said earlier, with a pointy-finger-of-accusation "No pets in the pool, and that mean you can't stroke each other, that's what it means, I looked it up!" :)
I prefer salt to chlorine anyway.
I nearly mentioned getting a mouthful of salty liquid when biting your bum... but knowing this lot I thought better of it ;)
"No pets in the pool, and that mean you can't stroke each other, that's what it means, I looked it up!"
That is definitely one definition of "pet", no doubt about it. :D
As soon as I mentioned salt, I knew that was coming...so to speak.
Us commenters could get offended you know ;-)
(not likely but we could)
AnonyBob - anyone is welcome to register their offence, if caused. Although I don't know what we'd do to make it up to you :)
Danger - I think it's often an advantage to know what's coming...and sometimes polite to share that knowledge with others.
Perhaps this would be a good time to mention that their mum's arriving tomorrow then? :)
best behaviour from tomorrow gentlemen? or more time for not best behaviour? ;-)
She cant be.
Best make the most of tonight, guys ;-p
L - why's that?
Look at my face! Tanned, wrinkly, unshaven... but unmarked. No bruising, no cuts, no grazes. Both eyes in full working order. No broken nose. Teeth all in place and in tight. Lips not split.
If she were coming, Sherlock would have headbutted me in the pool earlier, or you'd have kicked me in the face thinking I was a shark in the sea. Or Mycroft would've finally had enough of the noise and beaten me up with his eReader.
My face doesn't lie. :)
Don't jinx yourself, she's not here till tomorrow... We'd better stay in tonight and not chance you trying to break up a pub brawl or something.
their mum's arriving tomorrow
That's great! Do the boys know? Or is it a surprise (until one or both of them reads this)? :)
You'll have to be carefuly not to do anything... vigourous, and knock me out of bed.
I'll do my very best.
Soft and gentle and slow seem to be the order of the night, Doc. I'm sure you're up to it...
You always do, my Dashing Dangerous Doc.
May fall asleep in the hammock again. Might just take a blanket out there...
Might as well. I can't see any reason not to sleep out there, really.
(Just make sure nothing falls from a tree onto L's face between now and tomorrow morning. :))
I have two fears - One, that I'll wake up some sort of complete wreck if my back protests at the rather...bendy format of a hammock. Two, that Sherlock will leap on us with his customary early-morning energy, and the hammock will rebel in a violent way.
Still, there's got to be things possible in hammocks that aren't possible in static beds. And if you ask Mrs H nicely she might even give up all the surveillance tape to you after :)
...On the other hand, nothing wrong with beds.
Ha! You big wuss. Where's your spirit of adventure? Mrs H's surveillance people already know you suck your thumb, y'know? ;)
There are many things possible in hammocks, L, but some of them require more practice if you want to greet Mrs. H in all your undamaged glory.
rsf
L - the entire internet knows that, or at least your insistence on it. I suppose even her cameras can't see through blankets anyway. Probably.
Nah, heat sensitive infra-red whatever...
Although aiming a heat sensitive camera on you would be no good. You'd make it malfunction. No camera could cope with you being such hot stuff.
Words he's actually just said out loud:
'Stop! Hammock time!'
With a dance.
With a dance.
...
*uncontrollable laughter*
It was a good dance!
I'm dope on the floor and magic on the mic.
And only one of you can touch this ;)
1. It was an interesting dance.
2. I'm willing to believe this.
3. Damn right.
I'm sure it was an excellent dance. And it was happy uncontrollable laughter, not mocking uncontrollable laughter; you both have the wonderful knack of making sure you surround yourselves and the boys with lots of fun and laughter and joy, it's really very wonderful.
Enjoy your hammock time, gents :-D
I'm not sure I understood all that, but I hope you managed to not tip yourselves out of the hammock... :)
*dies laughing* I'm so glad that you're having a wonderful time together.
As Nameless said, Enjoy your hammock time, gents ;)
~A from NW (who is reading a user's manual out of boredom. Yay!)
New on the list of 'things I never thought is say':
We're heading for another continent, before Mrs Holmes has to spend her holiday sorting out a diplomatic incident involving a coach full of tourists, a watermelon salesman, a local policewoman, an umbrella, Sherlock, and about 6 macaques...
Nooooo, seriously?
Doc! Training your boys how to rustle for you?! For shame.
Although, macaques must be eassier to rustle than cattle or camels. Or chihuahuas event.
seriously?
That is a very weird thing to say but an even weirder thing to be happening!
here's hoping no one gets in too much trouble ;-)
I think it's clear that macaques do what macaques want to do, and nothing else.
And that Mycroft would like to be on any continent that his little brother isn't.
Still...nice day for it?
...?
Since Sherlock was having, by all your accounts, the time of his life, it all must have been--at worst!--a very unintentional chain of events!
(It really can't be quite so bad as it sounds. Right?)
And will John be negotiating for hazard pay, then?
rsf
Did Sherlock start hurling watermelon first or was it one of the macaques?
I didn't know you weren't allowed to feed them and could get fined for it because it said they ate fruit and that woman was just silly and so were the macaques because they're supposed to be clever and couldn't even find the door again and the first person to be the official British Army person who looked after them was called Alfred Holmes so he might even be a relation but Mummy didn't know and anyway now we're in Africa but we havent seen an elephant or a hippo.
It's been quite an exciting day so far.
it sounds like an interesting experience Sherlock but you learnt something from it which has to be a good thing.
Was Africa the first flight you could get John or is it somewhere you planned on going at some point?
I had no plans beyond lying on the beach; this is all his mum's idea. Interesting to see the boys' reaction to it though. And L's, for that matter.
I guessed it wasn't your plan for this trip but Africa is an interesting place so I hope you all enjoy it now you're there. :-)
Sherlock will have great stories to tell his new teacher when he gets back to school won't he ;-)
Well, Sherlock, you did the right thing by finding out what the macaques eat before trying to feed them, and after all, it's not at all obvious that you'd have to also find out if there are rules or laws about feeding wild animals! I hope you get to see some interesting African animals to interact with--after checking what's allowed, of course. :)
I hope everyone is managing to get some excitement and fun out of the change of plans!
Africa's a very large continent, so you may not be in the same area as the elephants or hippos. But I'm sure there will be lots of interesting things to see, Sherlock.
It's usually a pretty good idea not to feed wild animals you chance to meet -- people used to feed bears in Yellowstone park, but then the bears stopped being afraid of people and that meant that bears got hurt, or people got hurt, when they got too close to each other. It isn't like putting out a bird feeder full of the kind of food birds usually eat (although some people don't think it's that much different.) Also, when animals and people interact, they can swap some kinds of germs. If you meet someone who has a tame animal, or who knows how to feed an animal nearby, still ask John or Lestrade if it's okay.
I'm going on vacation too, and I don't know how much internet access I'll have, so I'll wish you a happy time in Africa, then!
rsf
I feel I should point out we're only in Africa for the day. Then, under cover of darkness, we shall sneak Sherlock back into Europe...
Ah! I didn't understand that, I thought you were relocating for the rest of your vacation. Are you going back to where you were, then?
that really is a story no one at school will believe. 'Miss miss I went on a day trip to Africa' ;-)
don't forget the dark glasses and false Moustache
I'm going to declare Sherlock as a weapon of mass destruction at customs.
Nothing enjoyable about your little day jaunt at all, Mycroft?
(To be fair, from the little we heard Sherlock didn't mean to cause any harm at all.)
Mycroft, you may have a point. And thank you for your good wishes yesterday, I passed my first aid exam.
can you not get in trouble for saying things like that Mycroft? you don't want to be responsible for the day trip to Siberia do you ;)
My day has been very enjoyable. It could continue to he both enjoyable and peaceful if Sherlock were detained somewhere for a while.
Small Hobbit, well done.
Anonymous, I don't believe they would be able to refute my claim.
Weapon of mass distraction possibly.
That's you, Danger. Or you distract me, anyway :)
We should definitely come back to Africa. Much more of it, preferably seen on motorbikes.
Really? That would be amazing!
Aw, Mycroft. It's rough when family members are really different, personality-wise. Try to keep in mind that, even though 7 is quite grown-up compared to 6, it isn't very old--and he did spend the first two thirds or so of that pretty isolated. Also, an exuberant personality isn't bad, it's just different from yours--and (going by my nieces and nephews) volume control comes with age.
Definitely. It'd be fantastic. In a couple of years Mycroft could ride his own bike, if the boys wanted to come. I can't imagine we'd get to do it any sooner than that, really. Take a bit of planning.
RR - Mycroft's - mainly - exaggerating for comic effect. He was the one who smoothed over the issue between Sherlock and the coachload of tourists, pretty much single handedly, and has generally been very patient with Sherlock and in very good spirits generally. He has a very dry wit.
How old do I have to be before I can start learning how to ride one too?
Thanks, L. :)
Mycroft, it sounds like you have the makings of a true diplomat--a rare and valuable gift, with wide application. (I know, because I have an exceedingly small supply of it myself, alas.)
Mycroft, perhaps a large hamster wheel rigged to a generator? Might solve several problems at onse.
You can learn how to ride a moped on the road at 16, mate. 17 for bigger bikes.
We can go to places like we went for the quad biking earlier, though, for the two of you.
That's forever! Can I try being on yours again soon? I'm sure I grew a lot.
Yeah, we'll get you onboard somewhere safe sometime soon. Maybe a reward if you're well behaved when you start Mrs N's class.
Does that mean I'm allowed to have a moped when I'm sixteen?
That is a perfect question to ask your mum, as she's here.
Wow, that does sound like an interesting day. I'm glad you all seem to be smiling, despite (or because of?) the shenanigans :-)
Interesting to see the boys' reaction to it though. And L's, for that matter.
Ooh, do tell.
She says I can if you and John think it's safe. She said you're the expert.
Then I think you're definitely allowed. I know you'll be sensible and careful, and it'll give you loads of freedom. You'll love it.
Yes, John, do tell :)
Yes, please, John! :)
Jealous! My parents wouldn't let me get a moped, I'm still craving one, would be perfect in London. Besides, would be really cool!
But I did smash my car through a brick wall, before I got my licence, at 15mph...so maybe not?
From your description of the holiday it sounds like you're close to my holiday home! I came back from a long stint there a few days ago, if you are there you're very very lucky, and I hope you enjoy it thoroughly, you all deserve it
Yes, John, do tell
Ha. Maybe I should've left you out of that statement, don't want to get myself in trouble. Just a lot of amazed and wide-eyed staring from the three of you, at everything from the monkeys to the ships in the port. Nice to see everyone so happy, that's all.
You'll never be in trouble with me.
It was all amazing. And brilliant. Although a bit tourist-y, I'd rather have taken way more time and properly explored.
Hmm. We'll see.
Yeah, me too. We'll have to go back some time.
We will see, indeed.
And definitely.
Oh dear. If that's where I think it is, I'm glad you didn't have any more issues with the macaques than that-- I gather they will steal whatever isn't nailed down or stowed safely in zipped pockets or bags. (Friend went there on a school trip, and someone got their glasses stolen right of their face after being warned how NOT to let that happen, and then whined about it the rest of the day.)
Glad you escaped unscathed! Hope Africa is marvelous too.
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