January, 2017, Joining Instructions

Dear NERDS, Darksiders and other guests


Joining Instructions for Wednesday January 4th. - We shall meet at Lewes Station between 10 30hrs and 11 00hrs and will then proceed to The Juggs at Kingston.
There are so far no train strikes scheduled for that day so (it is to be hoped) we should be OK.

Can those who have not yet given me their lunch preferences please do so asap as I have to let the pub know in advance.

I need to know from:Marion, Robert, Roger, Shaz, Paco, and Dio.

See you on the 4th.



Charlie. [Lafayette]

The 2016 Christmas Ramble

NERDS' Ramble No 325. Wed. 14th Dec. 2016.

Those Present – Sandyballs, Lafayette, Froggy, Paco, Curly, Bronco, The Bish.

Yuletime 2016

This was to be the “Ramble of the Year” in which the NERDS have their Christmas dinner and see how many pubs they can “ramble round” in Lewes. Despite an inconvenient train strike most of the NERDS managed to make the start. Matt, unfortunately had to bale out at the last minute for medical reasons (old age, bits dropping off etc.) but the rest of us managed to get to The Brewers Arms for 11o'clock

where they found Lafayette stuck up a corner with a pint in front of him having already completed the second draft of the write-up (Whoops!)
Lafayette was finding it strange to be in The Brewers in daylight; he was usually a Thursday night aficionado and none of his fellow vampires

were there at that time. People were sitting around drinking coffee (ugh!), reading newspapers and discussing how big their turds had been that morning. (Laf. had been listening to some strange conversations.) But the NERDS sat around with pints in front of them

and looked for the “Famous Person” from last month – but he was not to be seen. And so, tired of the unexciting atmosphere of The Brewers the NERDS moved

on to The Lewes Arms.

This place, according to Sandyballs, was the mega-bourgeois-snobby pub of Lewes.

The NERDs perched in the front room where Sandyballs had often been given a frosty reception because he was considered too chavvy. It must be said there weren't any common people there at all – a situation quickly remedied by the NERDS and their sparkling repartee. Class distinctions apart, The Lewes Arms had a good selection of beers and the staff were youthful and helpful.

And so, it being near lunchtime by now, we rolled down School Hill towards Cliffe High Street where we picked up Bronco who suddenly appeared from the bus station. Dear old Bronco, we only see him once or so a year but he always looks the same and greets you with that enormous grin.

The “ramble” continued by way of secret twitterns and car parks until we arrived at our lunchtime destination, The Dorset Arms where The Bish was to be found outddoors sitting at a garden table nursing a pint. We were now completely quorate so entered the pub with high expectations.

Strangely enough we seemed to be the only ones in the pub

at this time, somewhat worrying since on previous years the place had been packed to the extent that even cats had been known to walk in off the street attracted by the smell of Christmas dinner. However we were greeted by our waitress for the day whose name was Ella and who was just eighteen. Ella seemed born to the role of looking after a load of curmudgeonly old NERDS.

She charmed and sparkled and took photos of us all

(You'd think we'd all know what we looked like by now) and served us up with our dinner. Most of us had pheasant

; there was no turkey much to Froggy's chagrin, but now he's been invited back to sit at the family table that might all change. As you might expect much alcohol was consumed – the house red wine wasn't bad and Laf's nougat pudding went well washed down with amaretto.

Finally everyone staggered out blinking into the daylight and whipped round the corner heading to The Volunteer which was handily just opposite the bus station. Just then a blonde angel descended on us

and claimed she was related to Sandyballs, and that he was pissed and needed taking back home. Now SB was not really any more pissed than anybody else and fought off the angel saying he was perfectly capable of getting home by himself. He pushed The Angel Becks away and threatened to disinherit her if she interrupted his drinking. Not even the offer of a taxi swayed him, so the NERDS bade farewell to the blonde angel and entered the pub for a few more scoops.

Since there were no trains that day we had to be very careful to get the 123 back to Newhaven – otherwise we would have been stranded for days in Lewes with all its pubs (shucks). Sandyballs was finally escorted home by Bronco whose kidneys seemed to be weathering the festive onslaught quite well. The rest of us went to Newhaven where Paco started to demand more drink. Lafayette (unsurprisingly) knew which were the shitty pubs in Newhaven and which were the good ones so determined to put us right. Paco was dragged kicking and screaming to The Jolly Boatman which was down the end of the road where Lafayette had used to live.

The Jolly Boatman

was living up to its name and was full of people having a pre Christmas drink and none of them looking as though they were employed. In fact most of them looked well over sixty. This seemed to be the present Newhaven demographic. There was a good atmosphere going and the NERDS seated themselves in a comfortable circle within easy reach of the bar. Lafayette found the aged barman a little strange. He seemed to be deaf but was able to lip read and was OK at serving drinks.

The Bish found that he was making a new friend. In the sensual and cosy atmosphere which abounded he found himself sitting next to a female who started to pay him interested attention. This vision of beauty seemed to be dressed in a red santa suit

and obviously loved talking and singing and drinking. She was known as Mad Jane. Lafayette knew her well and had spent years avoiding her round various pubs in Newhaven where she had consistently screwed up his games of darts by her presence. Mad Jane had obviously taken a fancy to The Bish and serenaded him with various Christmas carols and tried to get him to dance. The Bish was not impressed; he probably thought she was after his money. Eventually when this siren had gone to the bog the NERDS slipped out of the pub and ran for it. Lafayette presumes that everyone got home safe and sound and were not pursued by any other local “characters.”

And so ended this year's Yuletide “ramble.” It had been a rather interesting pub crawl and had been nice to see Bronco on one of his rare outings. Thanks go to Sandyballs for organising the meal which wasn't too bad at all, and we hope that Froggy gets his turkey on Christmas day.

Next month on the 4th there is the joint NERDS/Darkside ramble to the Juggs to celebrate Lafayette being thirty (again) so make sure you all join the cast of thousands.

Merry Christmas, tout le monde.

Lafayette.

Christmas Ramble arrangements

Fellow Nerds,

I've already sent this to Harry and Charles, so you now need to see this and if we are in agreement, this is what we could do.

Thanks to Tony for spotting there are no rail replacement buses.......at all!!!!! OK us Seaford/Newhaven people can get back to Newhaven on the 16:25 no 123 from Lewes bus station. It is not so far to walk from the Dorset, either.

However, to get to Lewes we have only a choice of 2 no 123 buses from Newhaven Lower Place; the 08:58 arriving at Lewes Station at 09:22
(a bit too early) or the 10:25 from Newhaven Lower Place, arriving at Lewes Station at 10:52 (a bit too late). We have no other choice, except by taxi.

I would suggest the latter, so that bus passes can be used to get to Newhaven. There is a 12X bullet bus at Sutton Corner @ 09:55, which
leaves Seaford library on the hour and gets in to Newhaven South Way at 10:07, allowing enough time to get over to Lower Place and meet up with Charles.

Harry, would it just be easier for you to make your own way to the Brewers and we'll get there @ 11:10 ish? Up to you mate.

Charles are you ok with this plan to meet us @ 10:15?

OK lovely boys, we can make this work. See you on the bus or at Newhaven "bus station".

Phil

2016 Christmas Ramble Joining Instructions

Hi all NERDS,



The high point in the NERDS social calendar approaches. As I am sure you know, we meet on Wednesday 14th and will be enjoying our turkey-free

repast at The Dorset in Lewes. As usual we meet at Lewes station at the traditional time - about 10.15 but see below. We will then take part in an urban ramble where SB will point out some of the architectural and cultural attractions. It may not surprise you to hear that some of these attractions are licenced......

We are scheduled to arrive at The Dorset at about 12.45 with a view to sitting down to eat at 1PM. There should be 7 of us on the 'walk' and the plan is that we meet Bronco at the pub - unless he fancies walking? So 8 at table.

One last thing. The Bish has informed me that on the day there will be yet another rail strike. So for Seaford/ Newhaven types it will be the normal rail replacement buses. Hopefully chaos will be avoided and we will meet up OK.

Looking forward to Festive Fun.

Sandyballs

December's Christmas Ramble help

Dear NERDS,

People seem to be having trouble with the web site for this.

It is: http://www.thedorsetlewes.co.uk/




Laf.

November 2016 Ramble

NERDS' Ramble No. 324. 17th November 2016.


Those Present – Sandyballs, Lafayette, Froggy, Curly.

The Famous Person Ramble.

Not many NERDS on this ramble. Matt was still out cruising somewhere; The Bish had a bad knee and Paco woke up and decided he didn't want to get out of bed. So....just four then....

Most of us met on the train where even Froggy who was usually so positive and full of life complained that he was suffering from sciatica – but was prepared to be a martyr for the cause and come out and make up the numbers. Such a hero, thought the others, wish we all had his courage and grit. Lafayette thought he'd better keep quiet about his own degenerative muscle/bone crumbling, paranoid hallucination inducing cold otherwise he might get mocked for swinging the lead.

We met Sandyballs at Lewes and after a popular clamour we were led straightaway to The Brewers at the top of the High Street to take a little medicinal alcohol for our ills.

We all like the Brewers because it opens early, at 10 o'clock, and usually plays host to various weird and wonderful characters

from the Lewes sub-species of early morning drinkers.

Today was no exception. Lafayette had just ordered his second pint when a low voice whispered in his ear, “ Suits you, Sir.” Lafayette was a bit startled but carried on nonetheless. The voice went on, “ Yes, that pint definitely suits you, Sir.” Lafayette looked round to see a pleasant looking chap who looked vaguely familiar. “ Do I know you, Sir ?” responded Laf, somewhat coolly. He was not as a rule used to being approached in bars by strangers. “ Ooh, yes,” replied the man, “ Really suits you, that pint.” The penny then dropped for Lafayette. “Hey, you're that bloke off the telly in Life with the Kumars, aren't you?” “ No, I'm not,” said the man in his normal voice, “ I'm Mark Williams from off The Fast Show, you know,

the one who'se always trying to measure your inside leg.” “Er yes,” said Laf “ Your'e not a Queer or anything like that, are you? I've heard what you media types are like when you all get together.” “No I'm not queer,” said the famous actor . “I've just dropped in for a half pint cos I've got no friends apart from all the pooftahs up at the BBC.” Lafayette felt sorry for the poor, lonely normal actor and invited him on the ramble if he promised to buy a drink. “Sorry,” said the actor, “I haven't got a lot of money and my knees are bad. I really have to go back to my garret to learn my lines.” And off he went. “What a nice chap,” said Lafayette. “Pity about his knees, we could have done with a famous actor to give the NERDS a bit of gravitas.”

The others just groaned and rubbed their aching, sore bits.

Sandyballs had concocted a ramble which was supposed to suit all parties (“Suits you, NERDS.”) ie. was supposed to be short and undemanding. In the event it wasn't particularly short but amazingly covered entirely new ground. We went through Lewes

and skirted Pells Pool. (Lafayette knew this bit for when he had been hanging around looking at schoolgirls when ostensibly he had been counting the life rings for Coastwatch. - Just don't ask)

Anyway, we entered the bottom end of the Landport Estate

where BT used to live, and then past the hall where Laf had been suborned to go and vote UKIP on behalf of said BT.

The route continued along a very muddy path adjacent to the Mighty Ouse until we got to The Blacksmiths at Offham. There didn't seem to be many people there but it had a nice fire and the beer was OK. Laf sat in the dining room

(apparently) beneath a picture of Virginia Woolf, a local heroine who had recently appeared on Celebrity Bake Off. Froggy said cooking was more difficult than you think; he couldn't make his own recipe fish pie because of his sciatica (wot?) Anyhow the food and drink there were excellent and received the “NERDS approved” status.

After sitting around in front of the fire indulging ourselves in brandies etc Sandyballs goaded us all outside to continue this

“brand new” walk. Only this bit wasn't brand new since it consisted of an uphill slog back up to Lewes past the Chalkpit pub which had now sadly turned into a curry house. Sic transit gloria mundi.

However there was still the Elephant and Castle in town, a pub which to Laf's mind seemed the equivalent of The Jolly Boatman in Newhaven. Both sold Harvey's – well, yes; both had that bohemian air of scrattiness and fag rolling, while both seemed to have kept a highish standard of quality of food and drink.

The NERDS had a last pint here while Curly wanted to continue to The

Lansdowne for a sambucca or two (black, of course).

But most of the NERDS had had enough by this time. The excitement of meeting a famous actor and of going on a completely new ramble had taken its toll. “ I must go home and practise being a martyr to my family,” sighed Froggy. “ I must go home and practise writing my restaurant reviews.” said Laff. And so we all went home to rest before...........

The Grand Christmas Ramble which will be on Wednesday 24th December with lunch at The Dorset in Lewes.

Sign up now!

Lafayette.

2016 Christmas Ramble initial arrangements

Dear NERDS,


Sandyballs's IT has gone tits up again



so he has asked me to send this:


Christmas Ramble will take place on Wednesday 14th Dec.and the lunch will be at The Dorset, Lewes.


Please visit wwwthedorsetlewes.co.uk where you will find the Christmas menu and then send your choices to Sandyballs.


Hasta la vista.





Lafayette.

November 2016 Joining Instructions

This month we walk on Wednesday 16th - not long from now! The walk will start from Lewes railway station, so the usual 09.55 from Seaford Central, etc...... I will meet you all outside the station and we will then depart for our lunchtime location. This location will depend on several variables - such as the weather, our various aches and ailments and how we all feel about the state of the world in the new post-Brexit Trump era. We may just sit in a pub and rant!





SB

November Ramble 2016

Hi all,

On the last ramble we discussed the date of the November walk and decided on THURSDAY 17th. Having double-checked with social secretary I find that I can make WEDNESDAY 16th. Is that OK with everyone? Let me know if you have any probs with that.

Reminding you all that the Xmas Ramble is on Wednesday 14th December.

SB

October's Halloween Ramble 2016

NERDS' Ramble No. 323. Wed. 31st Oct. 2016.


Those Present – Froggy, Lafayette, Paco, Sandyballs, Curly.


Froggy's Halloween Ramble.

No, no clown costumes; no witches hats, no chainsaws; only a lot of scary faces which meant that Froggy had been let loose as routemaster on the scariest day of the year to organise The Halloween Ramble. He had already scared off Matt who was cowering in his front room hoping the door bell wouldn't ring. Bandido and his mom, Imogen had also taken flight so that just left a bunch of hard-core NERDS quivering in fear and anticipation of what the day would bring.

The day actually began with picking up Lafayette at Newhaven Station where surprisingly, The Captain, already on the train, kindly gave up his seat to the (formerly) Infirm One. Lafayette had given up his summer job as a butcher's boy, whizzing around on his bike, to join the only club that would have him and stagger around a few pubs. What the Captain was doing amongst us that day he wouldn't say. We suspected he'd got a bit of totty hidden away in Brighton but he remained amazingly circumspect.

After picking up Sandyballs at Lewes we were on the way to Berwick when Paco started talking about Bonobos. WTF? Was this some sort of Spanish sandwich, peut-etre? An island in the West Indies nobody had visited? The name of the current Gambian prime minister - or what? For some reason Paco had chimps on the brain ( for such they were) but only the educated train guard had ever heard of them. OK......so moving on...

We alighted at Berwick and found to our amazement that The Berwick Inn was actually open with rough working type men sitting outside drinking beer. Despite our pleas, Froggy wouldn't stop (Ooh, how masterful!)

and intead took us over the fields in the glorious sunshine promising us another better pub

where we could get wasted. (Huh, jam tomorrow doesn't do it for Lafayette; he wants it all; he wants it now.) However Froggy insisted (Ooh!) and we made it to The Barley Mow on the other side of the A27 just in time to hammer on the door at opening time.

Things to note about The Barley Mow:
1) The Barmaid – took a picture of us all lounging in the armchairs

before her unlit fire. Not bad, 8/10.

2) The ghostly butler – must have been about eighty years old,

quivered when you stamped on the floorboards. OK, about 7/10.

3) The Gentlemans' Lavatory – Wow! Full of mind boggling lady porn,

mostly from the Edwardian era, guaranteed to make any young lad go out and look for girls (to make friends with etc.)

Yep, this was a good pub, but after a mere two pints (and a lot of visits to the loo) Froggy masterfully dragged us away (Ooh!) to carry on his chosen track over the fields in the golden sun to get to the next pub.

After a bit of sort of getting a bit lost Lafayette put us on the right path and we descended into a field full of friendly horses.

At least we hoped they were friendly. Sandyballs wasn't so sure, “ They can bite, you know,” he said fearfully. “ I bet your mother told you that about girls just to put you off them,” retorted Lafayette whose own mother had been enlightened enough to plaster the walls of the family bog with tasteful “art studies” so that young Laf wouldn't get any queer ideas when he went off to university.

The horses, well, actually one shetland pony and a bunch of well looked after brown mares

were in fact very friendly and searched us closely in the hope of finding apples. Sadly we had failed to pick up any by the tree outside the pub so they had to go hungry. Actually, not so hungry, as Laf found out a couple of fields further on, when he discovered his precious notes on his precious yellow embark cards were missing out of his back pocket. “Shit!” he thought. “I'll have to make everything up (again) although I'm sure nobody will notice. What a disaster!

Next stop, and pub number three in the thrilling Froggo adventure was Rose Cottage. This is where Sandyballs, determined to show Laf. that his own mother had brought him up right, launched into a spectacular line of chat to the bewildered and harrassed barmaid.

“Aren't you that Davina McCall, the one who's on the telly all the time?” he enquired. The barmaid looked at Sandyballs coldly. “ Do you really think Davina McCall would be up to her arms in stupid customers with their stupid orders and stupid ham egg and chips?” If I was Davina McCall I'd be lying around in a bikini outside my luxury pool

not dealing with tosspots like you asking bloody stupid questions!” she shouted angrily, then promptly burst into tears. “There, there,” cooed Lafayette giving her his nice, fresh, white hanky. “Wipe your tears away with this, mon petit chou.” The barmaid moaned and collapsed into Lafayette's arms

etc. etc. leaving Laf. to be actually quite glad that he'd lost his original notes.

The NERDS sat outside in the sun, Laf sat with the barmaid on his knee. Another barmaid served everyone with their food and drink.

Laf's barmaid snuggled into his shoulder and told him that her real name was Claudia Winkelman but all the stupid customers persisted in thinking she was the other one. “There, there,” soothed Laf. “Perhaps you'd better come back to my house where I can dry your tears.” Just as Claudia was nodding prettily there was a shout from Sandyballs. “Hey!, I've just found your real notes lying here under the table.” Pouff, everything good about the world suddenly disappeared. Lafayette swore he'd get even with Sandyballs one day.

So while we basked in the glow of the afternoon sun setting over the nearby fields, the conversation reverted to its trite realities. Froggy told us about his prostate problems and how he had to get up twice in the night for a wee. S.B. agreed and said he was a twice a night wee-er as well. Curly said he only had to get up once in fact.(“Oh God,” Lafayette thought, “ Maybe I'll just flush my notes down the loo here and write something more interesting.”). Sandyballs interrupted his nocturnal musing to put on a medal and demand money from everyone.

Apparently he'd cycled for miles and miles the other week and raised a lot of sponsorship for over-age Nigerian kids to come as refugees to the UK. Nobody paid up.

The food and drink in Rose Cottage were excellent and the NERDS, persuaded by Froggy, (Ooh! Masterful) decided to lie about here all afternoon,

or at least until the sun went down, and enjoy the fruits of Lafayette's fantasies. Eventually however, having pissed off all the other disapproving, middle class, sober couples who were sitting outside with us (nobody else had a barmaid on their knee, you see,) The NERDS moved on over the fields on that balmy and delightful afternoon in search of frescoes and religious absolution in a certain church we (thought) we knew.

So, after a while we went into St. Wotsits not far away, looked round, found God but no frescoes. Sandyballs was convinced the NERDS were being punished for Lafayette's sins. Lafayette having been brought up not a catholic

and coached by his mother in how to talk properly to girlies, didn't give a toss. There were plenty more pubs with barmaids in, who needed poxy frescoes after all?

We carried on over the sunny, golden fields until we came to St. Doodah, another famous Sussex church. This we knew to be the right church but by this time we were all too knackered to go round it. Instead Froggy took some pictures of Paco talking to some bonobos in a barn,

and Laf. and S.B. wandered into a little un-manned shop outside someone's front garden, and bought some jam and some eggs.

(I blame that Davina McCall on the cooking programmes on TV, thought Laf.).

Passing infront of the Cricketers at about 4 o'clock. Sandyballs hailed a barmaid clearing up plates and glasses from the front garden and asked if she was that Carole Kirkwood from off the telly. “No!” she spat, looking harrassed and put upon, “And you're not getting a drink either because we're closed!” So that was that.

Lafayette smirked inwardly.

Nothing for it but to hoof it back to The Berwick Inn and hope it was still open.

It was, and of course it was all decked out in Halloween Shit, and so the beer was, wait for it, £4 a pint! ( Froggy actually paid £5.50 for a pint of lager.) The NERDS knew then that the day had finally come when they would really, really, really have to give up drinking beer and go on to cheap Lidl's calvados instead. Curly said it was all B.T's fault – him and his expensive Brexit ideas! We couldn't even savour these pints as we had about ten minutes before the train came.

Oh well, it had been a good ramble what with Froggy being all masterful, horses eating Lafayette's notes and barmaids crying into his shoulder ( well only one actually.......perhaps). The weather had been fantastic and the pubs pretty good apart from the price of beer.

Nice one Froggy.

Lafayette.

The Halloween Ramble joining instructions

OK guys, only one more week to go.

The 09:25 from Seaford is on schedule and the return trains from Berwick are still running at 17 minutes past the hour.

The only significant alteration is that the Cricketers is changing to winter opening hours and will close at 15:00 hrs.

Sorry you can't be with us Tony, enjoy Spain!

See you next Monday!

Froggy x

October's Joining Instructions

OK you lucky Nerds, you get me for this month's route-mastering and as the backwards Beachy Head Ramble was such a success in June 2014, we are going to do another of my favourites in reverse. This will involve the 4 Sussex pubs; the Barley Mow, the Rose Cottage, the Cricketers and the Berwick Inn in that order. The first pub opens at 11:00 and there are 2 suitable arrivals at Berwick station at 10:20 and 11:17. Methinks the former is best for a bijou 40 minute stroll towards Selmeston. The Rose Cottage has new owners though not new opening times. Still it might be nice to sample the new menu before the kitchen closes?

The train leaves Seaford at 09:25 (Bishopstone 09:27 and Newhaven Town 09:32). There should be time to meet Harry at 09:45 in the Runaway and grab a coffee before the 10:09 from platform 3.
I shall keep an eye out for any railway misdemeanours and confirm arrangements nearer to the 31st, after all there are 3 weeks to go today and anything can happen!

Froggy x

the really good news is that all 4 pubs will be open this way around!

October's Ramble date for 2016

The Ramble is on the 31st Of October this year and is a Froggy Enterprise.  Joining instructions will follow in due course.

September's Write-up 2016

NEWHAVEN RAMBLING & DRINKING SOCIETY



Ramble No 322 Wednesday 14th September



“ The Return of the NOBS Ramble”



NERDS Present: Curly, Matt, Froggy, Paco The Bish, Sandyballs

NOBS Present: Lafayette



First, a word of explanation. Since its inception in the middle of the 18th Century, the NERDS has spawned a number of spin-off organisations. Most of these were either still-born or withered away and died shortly after birth. I could mention NIGS, NAGS, NIGERIA, SCOFFERS, STROLLERS, CLUB CORONA, etc. In passing it would only be fair to mention 2 organisations which still, apparently, exist but which are a pale imitation of the magnificent NERDS. I refer to CORDS and The DARK SIDE.

Anyway, one of these short-lived sub-organisations, which also crashed and burned was the NOBS. Which stood for NERDS ON BIKES. As it says on the tin this involved various NERDS wobbling about the countryside on their bicycles visiting various hostelries. As your Scribe can testify, imbibing alcohol and riding bikes is not always a good idea………

The plan was for the NERDS to walk to Rodmell from the north, whilst Lafayette would join us, by bike, from the south. Part of Laf’s unusual health syndrome was that he couldn’t walk but he could cycle. So he would be the only representative of the NOBS amidst a group of NERDS.

Anyway, back to the plot. NERDS gathered at Lewes station (despite the best efforts of Southern Rail to frustrate us)

. It was a beautiful warm day and the sun was shining brightly. We are not used to this in September. .Because of the slightly early arrival of the train/bus we thought there was plenty of time to have a pit-stop pint at The Brewers.

After all, your Routemaster/ Scribe reasoned, the lunch-time pub The Abergavenny Arms at Rodmell didn’t open until 12 noon and it wasn’t very far to Rodmell, was it?

Predicitably, the pint turned into a pint and a half

(two pints from some thirsty types) so it was a little after 11 am before we emerged from The Brewers and rolled down Keere Street

to begin the ramble. We walked through the leafy banlieue of Southover under the A27 by-pass and into the real countryside.

SB had a vague idea that the path led down to the river Ouse which we would follow until we reached Southover and then Rodmell. It ddn’t quite work out that way……….As usual, he hadn’t done any recce for this ramble – after all Lewes is my town. What could possibly go wrong?

The sun was beating down from a cloudless sky.

NERDS were getting hot and bothered. The path meandered on somewhere between the river and the C7 but we weren’t exactly sure where we were. The heat was increasing, it felt like we were in some African savannah.

The foaming pints seemed a long way off.

Laf kept phoning up asking where the f…….we were. Of course we had no idea. Laf said he would have another pint and carry on sunbathing.

Our path led through fields, over stiles, through cow-pats and stinging nettles.

Eventually we believed we had reached Rodmell but it was only Northease and we emerged onto the C7. There followed an enjoyable mile long walk along the pavement-free main road, dodging the incoming traffic. So at last the fair hamlet of Rodmell came into view. We found Laf lying on his back in the garden under the table, giggling uncontrollably surrounded by empty beer flagons. Yes, our walk had taken a bit longer than we thought!

NERDS set to doing what they do best – sinking pints and ordering pub grub.

There was a substantial delay in the wait for food so we sat in the sun and drank. The food, when it arrived was judged to be good.

So NERDS approved for The Abergavenny Arms then.

Conversation turned to the date of the next ramble. Because of holidays and other commitments we finally decided on MONDAY October 31st. Yes, Halloween night! The first time for The NERDS. Plenty of scope for dressing-up there. Trick or Treat, etc. Froggy had been clamouring to route master another ramble so it was decided, God help us, to allow him another chance.

He will have to be aware of the complication of Laf’s condition,so maybe the walk will have to be centred around some location that Laf can get to by bike, bus or train. Or his situation may well ameliorate. Froggy over to you!

The ramble broke up in some confusion. Laf wobbled off on his velo, Mrs Sandyballs drove to the pub to collect SB to fulfil onerous domestic tasks and the others went off in search of a bus.

All in all, an enjoyable, sunny, sociable time.. The Scribe can congratulate the Routemaster on an excellent ramble!!

I am off to recruit and organise a new branch of The NERDS in NYC!



Sandyballs