August 2023 Ramble

Last Thursday was the 35th anniversary (Coral) of the NERDS (more or less). Lafayette's records show the 3rd ever ramble took place on 17th August 1988, and the day before yesterday's was on the same date (only 2023 of course). There had been 2 previous rambles, the truth of which has now been lost forever.


The latest ramble consisted of Sandyballs, Laf, Froggy , Bish, Matt, Paco, and Admiral. The weather was nice and hot and sunny. Most of us wore shorts.

S. B. led us off to Lewes Depot where all the yummy Mummies were camped out outside with their kids (school holidays). We ordered drinks which were brought to our table

by young yummy waitresses. Paco chucked his beer all over the table and Froggy told us he used Old Spice

for toothpaste (why?)

then we walked to the bus stop outside Waitrose and got the number 29 .


A short while after we arrived at The Halfway House, a pub with grumpy personnel

but a pleasant garden

where we all began bickering about something

or other and admired the view over The Sussex Countryside. Froggy took a load of photos.

Now came the interesting bit. Find the route across the field towards Isfield. We got it Ok and after that the way was fairly straight forward. We came across horses who were cold and wore blankets

, and cows who didn't wear blankets.

The way was pleasant, warm and rural.

Eventually we got to The Laughing Fish

and all squeezed on to a table with Froggy at the head.

Food was good and the Malbec was good.

Nobody disgraced themselves and, as usual, we were the last to leave the pub. Rambling was over for the month so we got a bus back

to Lewes. Paco and Laf hijacked a bus back to Newhaven. which had been standing patiently in the centre of Lewes waiting for them.

Oh, someone showed around some photos of us all when we all looked about 16. These must have either been taken at previous rambles or in the office. Even you're on one or two, Brian.

So a good anniversary ramble thanks to Sandyball's organisation. We all seem to be older and stiffer now but then what do you expect from ancient NERDS.