2022 July' Ramble events

Lafayette met only Froggy off the train at Newhaven, No Bish, no Paco, No Matt, No Captain. No Sandyballs WTF?

Sandyballs turned out to be in The Sidings already.

This is Newhaven's new trendy bistro situated next to the river, It was warm and sunny so the three

of us had a trendy cup of coffee,

Then began the ramble proper.

We three NERDS went over the bridge and down the back of Elphick Road. Laf had decided not to ramble far because of the heat so headed for The Jolly Boatman

which looked ominously dark and closed looking. It was. Probably not open till 12 or something.

So, heading for The Ark (it was that sort of ramble) Laf came across a very sober ex drunk who lived just up the road from The Boatman. " It closed about a year ago," he said sadly "But I've saved a lot of money." he added. Well Whoopee!

The Ark it was then. The three thirsty NERDS staggered through the concrete heat and found The Ark was thriving - not closed, not abandoned and selling alcohol.

Quel Paradis! The NERDS sat outside in the sun and drank and drank.

Laf got a phone call from Matt who claimed to have driven to La Luna Rossa with his girlfriend

and was waiting for us, More lies! We uprooted ourselves and went to the Luna Rossa

where we met Paco who had also driven there (sans girlfriend). 

We all had a good meal and drank some excellent Italian wine, Then - what else? we rambled in Paco's car back to The Ark and sat in the shade in the back garden and drank some more, Good ramble this,

Eventually Sandyballs got bored with the scintillating conversation and went home, Matt had gone already with his fictitious girlfriend, Paco gave Froggy a lift back to Seaford and Laf was left to reflect on a pretty rambleless ramble where most NERDS seemed to prefer driving to walking. They all like drinking, so that was all right



Lafayette.

July Ramble arrangements

Hello Sandyballs,

Sorry you couldn't make the original ramble date but thanks for re arranging for 21st July.
I think we now have a quorum of those who can make it - you, me, Matt, Froggy and possibly Paco, so I shall book lunch at the Luna Rossa for 13 00 hrs.
Bye, bye.
Lafayette.

July Ramble new date

Hi,

I have had a few replies to my message about the date change for the Ramble. Therefore let us have a bash at switching to Thursday 21st. We have Lafayette as Guest Routemaster. He will be in touch with the Joining Instructions!

Cheers
Sandyballs

July 2022 Ramble expectation

Dear NERDS,

The next ramble is on Wednesday 20th July when we shall explore the environs of Newhaven and have lunch at La Luna Rossa,

an Italian establishment known to many of us,

Can you please let me know if you will be coming so that I can make culinary arrangements accordingly.

See you soon,

Laf.🙋

June 2022 Ramble Saga

The idea today was to go to Ringmer to see Malcolm who we hadn't seen for a long time. Sandyballs was occupied with a hospital

visit so delegated the rough plan for the day and joining instructions to Lafayette.

Broadly, the idea was for the Seaford contingent to take the train to Lewes picking up Laf. on the way then walk to Lewes bus station, get the bus to Ringmer have lunch at the Anchor and see Malcolm.

Those who turned up were Paco, the Bish, Froggy, the Captain and moi. Of course when we got to Waitrose the Volunteer was still not open (it was not yet 11 00hrs) so we faffed about for 5 minutes until they let us in. We had a quick half although Captain opted for instant coffee (under protest) and then we ran for the bus.

Instead of the 29 bus we got the 28

because Froggy allegedly knew a ramble we had once done the other way round from Ringmer to Wotsit farm by Earwig Corner. The challenges were two fold 1) Froggy couldn't find the start of the walk because it was very overgrown

and 2) Paco was very, very tired with his medical condition and needed to keep lying down for a short rest.

Eventually we found a sort of start and proceeded under the hot sun round field edges

and here and there guided by Froggy's not always reliable phone map. Halfway along,

the route started to be sign posted and there were easy to see cut through paths

through fields which saved having to keep looking at the phone. The walk itself, when we got going was really very pleasant,

although we got mega lost just outside Ringmer looking for the church

and Laf had to ask some old lady for the way back on to the True Path,

Another Old Git with a dog

confirmed we were just outside the church, and the path through here was idyllic and led on to the village green and thereafter to The Anchor.

When we finally got inside the pub we found that both Bronco and S. B. had preceded us and were well into the drinks.

Bronco looked well and was, as usual, flirting with all the 16 year old waitresses. He had recently bought another vastly expensive Omega watch which made Laf jealous since he had only two of his own but wasn't as much a connoisseur as Bronco (nor did he have the vast funds required for this hobby,)

Anyway the food was OK but not exceptional

and the Captain was again served up with crappy coffee, although he scored a nice sea bream.

Then we bade farewell to Bronco and got the bus back into Lewes where Laf and S.B. went off for a quick post prandial couple of drinks to catch up on old times.

It was a good day out and pleasant to see Bronco again. Froggy must be given credit for initiating a new(ish) ramble although it got pretty shambolic in places and we hope that Paco felt better after he got home.

Next ramble is 20th July - somewhere round Newhaven.

All for now .

Lafayette.