Hi there. I am new to the show, but, since finding it I have become quite obsessed (as I'm sure many of you can sympathize with) and have watched all the episodes a few times through.  I've been reading this forum and lots of other blogs, etc., for a whileas well, but have yet to comment. I'm glad I found this topic because I've been wanting to point something out.  

The timeline most agree on seems right except for when you include soomething Sherlock says in tSoT. When he is having the epiphany about John's middle name he says that, "....it took him YEARS to tell me." (and this is pretty much Sherlock's emphasis). Then the joke is that John never even told him, but Sherlock actually managed to eventually get John's birth certificate in order to find it out.  My point is that since he clearly already knows the name in aSiB because John just says it to him and Irene. And since tGG and aSiB appear to be near continuous in time (with the phone call happening at the pool, wait, is it? I should go back and make sure....), this would mean that something Sherlock would term "years" goes by in just the first series, between aSiP and tGG...or maybe aSiB, if there is a time lapse between the two.

At any rate, I would say something took "years" in a somewhat annoyed tone unless it was at least 4-5 years. Certainly no less than 2 years.  This would also tie in to Sherlock saying he had been "expecting something like this for a long time" in tGG. Seemed a little dramatic if it is only a year or so.  Anyway, interested in your thoughts and in getting into the discussions. I'm pleased to be here