The NERDS. Ramble 8/9/21.

Those Present – Sandyballs (Harry),

Lafayette (Charlie), Froggy (Phil), Paco, Matt,

and Sasha.


The Glamorous Waitress Ramble.

It was a hot day; very, very hot. Probably the last hot day of Summer. The NERDS decided to celebrate by a) letting Froggy be Route Master and set the ramble and b) by going to The Steamworks in Seaford for a drink. The latter seemed to have become the cool (ha, ha) place for everyone to gather these days. Actually it was cool inside with a nice breeze to keep the old NERDS awake.

First Old NERD to turn up was Lafayette. His writing career had been in a bit of a decline since he had taken up bowling and hanging around school playgrounds instead. Well, you've got to get your writing inspiration from somewhere, haven't you?

Next along was Froggy, with a head full of bus and pub details and worried that all his carefully laid plans might go awry. Then was Sandyballs, glad to release (temporarily) the terrifying responsibility of entertaining the NERDS for a day.

Shortly after, and late as usual, rolled up Paco and his young ward, Sasha, who was spending some time under Paco's wing to finish her education. 

Sasha, had already been to most of the posh finishing schools in Europe – Rodean, The Lycee Parisien, and The Hellfire Club New York where she had learned the subtle arts of waitressing and how to strangle a man with one finger like James Bond does. Anyway she was with us during her last few days in the UK and specifically to upset the gender balance of The NERDS' Male Old Farts' Club.

Sooooo......the company all had a drink and then legged it for the bus stop to go to Birling Gap where Froggy would start his ramble.

It was nice and breezy on top of the hill just outside Eastbourne.

Froggy led us off in completely the opposite direction from that expected by Lafayette.

 But, what the hell... he was in charge that day. Have a bit of faith. Froggy dashed off ahead leaving Lafayette and Sasha to talk about Denmark ( where Sasha comes from). 

Lafayette wanted to know if all the people in Denmark were female, blonde and lived under bridges like on the telly. 

Sasha said that was all nonsense since some of them were actually brunette and got their looks from having mated with certain hairy trolls 

from Norway ( but not those in her family).

Lafayette was also interested in Sasha's plans for a future career and said he hoped she wasn't going to turn out like her father who had been found on a French beach raving drunk on one occasion, when he had been thrown in jail by the French police, and had had to be rescued by Paco and Lafayette from terrible disgrace and shame.

Sasha replied that she was not like this, she was a nice girl who wanted only to work for the Danish Secret Service 

in exotic places such as Istanbul, Bangkok and Bali while maintaining her cover as a cocktail waitress (albeit with special, deadly skills). Lafayette was impressed, although he did reflect that her father had seemed to have had all the necessary failings which might have led him into becoming a young NERD one day.

Anyway, back to the ramble. Froggy was getting further and further ahead 

so that eventually he disappeared altogether and was next seen emerging from a bush having managed to get himself all covered in prickles in some very sensitive places. No explanation was given; we thought he might have been lured away by fairies or trolls and then punished for telling them all about his amazing literary career and how many Booker prizes he had won.

However, Froggy did finally lead us down, down a steep, steep hill where everyone nearly broke their delicate ankles and arrived at the bottom still thankful to be alive and in one piece. Froggy led us to The Pilot, a pub where Matt was allegedly waiting for us in the garden. 

Since Matt had never met Sasha, it was decided to test her new career cover story and find out if she made a convincing cocktail waitress. Sasha went into a phone box, put on her skimpy dress and high heels then grabbed a menu and approached Matt. 

He had been feeling grumpy because The Pilot had seemed quite expensive and nobody was paying him any special attention. “Bonjour, Monsieur,” said Sasha (in Danish) “Would Monsieur like anything off the special menu today? We have lots of special dishes which are reserved only for the most handsome of our customers.” “ Get away from me, young woman” growled the grumpy Matt. “ In my day women waited until they were spoken to before daring to address their elders and betters, and why are you carrying a Beretta 9mm in your suspender belt?” “ That's just in case you get frisky with me,” said Sasha. “Fat chance of that,” said Matt. “All I want is a nice pudding that I can complain about and get for free.”

At this point Sasha revealed herself. (No, not like that, she told Matt she was vaguely related to Don Paco and wanted everyone to believe she was like Wonder Woman only better dressed. Matt admitted he had been totally taken in and had been so impressed he hoped she would become a full member of The NERDS and would come on all future rambles. Sasha said that sadly she had to slip out of England on Saturday as she had some secret work to do for her own country. And so the mystery was sort of solved and we all began to eat and drink.

The food and drink at The Pilot was rather good. Everyone had the

special pudding which was some sort of red cheesecake with icecream. If you ate enough it apparently made you very handsome or else made you sick. Lafayette finished off what the rest of the NERDS had left but failed to become anything like handsome although he did feel a bit sick. 

Shortly after this Matt had become so enamoured of Sasha and her exotic lifestyle that he decided he could not live without her, 

so he kidnapped her and took her back home with him, hoping that she would change him from his austere lifestyle of constantly hoovering his pristine home and watching dodgy television programmes. He wanted to stop counting all his money every night and spend it on his glamorous new project in the hope that she would serve him ever more special dishes and make him more youthful and handsome than ever. Well, there's one born every minute. Let's hope Sasha can escape to the exotic East before it's too late. 

Next thrilling episode to be written when Sasha returns from her travels abroad.

By the way the rest of the ramble was a bit boring in comparison to what had gone before. Sandyballs, Froggy, Paco and Lafayette went for a long walk along Eastbourne seafront and popped into The Stage Door for a last drink.

Many thanks to Froggy for the last drink and for quite an interesting ramble.

Many thanks also to Wonder Woman for reviving Lafayette's literary skills, but don't expect a write-up after every ramble now; it's only cos this was a special ramble that you got one.

Bye now,

Lafayette.

September's Ramble 2021 - Froggy's Guide

Fellow Nerds


As Jim Morrison once famously said at the next gig following his arrest for indecent exposure "Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight you are in for a special treat" 

The crowd went wild in anticipation of another rampant exhibition, whereupon he countered "Oh no, not that, you only get that treatment at full moons" and keyboard player Ray Manzarek then proceeded to sing the lead in "Build me a Woman". Well, your very own special treat is to have me! as your route master and, as agreed with Harry, we are set to follow an old favourite walk from the A259 bus stop at Eastbourne Downs Golf Club 

along the South Downs Way and down into the St Bedes area of Eastbourne. I fondly refer to this ramble as that catchy little Joan Armatrading song "Drop the Pilot" and we may well be doing just that, as their menu is somewhat limited and pricey, though a pit stop cannot be ruled out. The Ship, just a short stroll further on, has a bigger and more varied menu plus more space. But then, after all, we are Los Nierdos para siempre et tous ce qui s'ensuit!

Harry's train will be getting in at 10:20 hours so I propose that we assemble in Steamworks at some point before/between then and 10:00 hours. We'll have about another 30-35 minutes to remain there before our targeted 12X gets to the library @ 11:06. We begin our walk @ 11:30 after a 20 minute bus ride and should arrive at the first pub sometime between 12:15 - 30 in time to get a good seat! After lunch, we'll be strolling back along the prom with an ice cream stop for Matt and then some further afternoon libations to Bacchus,

 probably in the Stage Door (once called the Buccaneer). The back of the pub overlooks the famous Devonshire Park tennis court, so we could just sit snugly there and mull over more than just our strokes?

Hope to see many of you next Wednesday 8th @ 10:00 - 10:20 in Steamworks.

Froggy Xxx + extra big kiss to Malcy Baby with absolute delight!!!

September 2021 Expectations

Apparently there is a NERDS ramble next week on the 8th Sept. Nobody knows where yet and we don't know if Harry's doing another zoom since apparently he forgot about the last one - and he was supposed to be organising it!

Love to all including the cats. 

Charles.

August 18th 2021 Ramble notes

Yesterday's (18/8/2021) ramble started off badly. Paco's grand daughter had been afflicted by the current plague and Paco had to stay at home holding her hand while she languished in bed. Poor girl, Lucky Paco!


Froggy and Laf only, met Sandyballs at Lewes. They were given a stark choice - walk all the way to Ringmer or piss about in drinking establishments and get the bus. The rest was history..........


First stop was The Trading Post in Cliffe High Street,

an overpriced coffee house full of stupid Lefty concoctions and yummie mummies. The NERDS sat around and plotted revolution like Tom Paine, but weren't sure which Establishment they were plotting against.

Needing a better drink they went across the road to The Gardeners where the barmaid was pretty and the cider was strong (6.5%). Then we strolled for the bus and met The Bish outside Waitrose. He had come by bus because he was now a Revolutionary like the other three.

In no time we were in the back garden of The Anchor at Ringmer,

there was a riotous wake going on inside with all the tables booked. Bronco was dragged out from the bar where he had been pretending to be dead so as to get free drinks. He looked well and was pleased to see us all.

He was obviously treated as a Local Hero in The Anchor since all the barmaids came up and rubbed their tits in his ears and gave him special attention. It's amazing what a few dirty jokes and a lot of money can achieve.

The meal was substantial and the beer was good.

We eventually said farewell to Bronco and his posse of horsey girls

and got the bus back to Lewes. Sandyballs took us into The Royal Oak opposite the Vegan Paint Shop and Lafayette continued drinking cafe cognacs while the other two drank Harveys. Plu ca change and all that....

Anyway then we went home satisfied that Bronco was still alive and in excellent form. Wonder if Paco's got the Plague yet?

Lafayette.

An enjoyable ‘ramble’ today - although not too much shoe leather was used! God to see Bronco again and I think we all enjoyed the meal, the location and Malcolm’s favourite waitresses! 

I now realise that this latter remark is potentially a sexist remark and therefore a thought-crime.

Apologies to anybody whose mental health has been adversely affected.

Anyway, as discussed, the next Ramble is on Wednesday 8th. I think Froggy may be the guest Route-Master. God help us all!

Don’t forget the Zoom meeting on Friday 20th August at 12 noon.

Harry

Lunch arrangements

I just phoned the Anchor to book a table (bit late I know). The whole interior of the pub is booked out for a private function. We are booked into the garden from 12.45. Wear appropriate clothing!


Harry

Additional information for August 2021 ramble

I have just heard from Malcolm. Great news! He is going to meet us on Wednesday at The Anchor in Ringmer. He will be getting there about 12.30. We may possibly be a bit earlier - depending on the route we take. Tony may be taking the bus.

See y’all at Lewes station.

Harry

August 2021 ramble information

 

Hi all,

This month, as some of you already know, we meet on Wednesday18th. Where to go though? There was some talk of meeting up with Malcolm in Ringmer. A good idea and I emailed Bronco yesterday to ask if he is free on that day. No reply yet and when you consider what he has on his plate at the moment - it is hardly surprising.

If I get a positive reply from him, then-great - we will go to Ringmer. If he can’t make it or I get no reply then it will be time for Plan B. This would involve a very old favourite walk from Lewes to The Juggs in Kingston. A pit-stop at The Kings Head or The Swan cannot be ruled out. The famed NERDS flexibility!

So whether it is Ringmer or Kingston you Seaford types should take the 10.25 train and I will meet you at Lewes station. Any alternative ideas, suggestions, rants, theories, complaints are welcome. I will enjoy ignoring them!

Harry

The NERDS did a ramble the other day. If I give you a report will you promise not to piss it about and produce your version?  (Yes but be it on your own head regarding the images!)


Anyway, the NERDS met up at The Steamworks pub/bistro
next to Seaford Station.

The Bish and Lafayette were the two first and each found he had fucked up his right knee as a result of doing stupid things on rambles.

The rest arrived - Froggy, Sandyballs, Paco and Matt. We drank coffee and in some cases beer. 

Outside it was sunny and hot.

Because of the euphoric weather someone decided to make Froggy Routemaster on the basis that even he couldn't get lost walking to Newhaven.

We walked along the seafront. The Bish bought prawns

from a wayside prawn seller and Paco told us about his plan to bring girlies on rambles.

He is never successful in this because none of the girlies he knows gets up before midday.


We walked along the abandoned railway line

to Tidemills then towards a lot of industrial rubbish infront of which someone had built a big fence - presumably to keep the poor immigrants out.

We skirted this and headed for the old Newhaven detention centre where we used to go and shout at Algerians.


This was obviously a nostalgia ramble because we passed Amy's paper shop AND The Engineer.

We didn't dare go in the latter even though it was open since rumour had it that the beer was poisonous.

We noticed that our old office was still knocked down

so stopped for a moment and murmured a prayer.


Finally we ended up at The Ark (again)

Lafayette seems to spend most of his life here.

The food was the usual high class pub grub. ( L is being ironic here, by the way) whereupon Froggy said he had been diagnosed with leprosy

and told he had to diet and lose two and a half stone. Good luck with that, Froggy.


The day was livened up when 3 Filipino slave girls came in for their lunch.

They were too good looking for us so we ignored them. Paco wanted to ask them if they were late risers but he was too shy.


Matt told some crummy jokes, Paco and Lafayette drank malt whisky and felt smashed. It was a good day. Then we went home


Lafayette.

Ramble arrangements 23/7/21

Hi fellow NERDS,

This month we meet under the new freedom generously donated to us by Our Supreme Leader. Yes, as I type we are only a few hours away from Freedom Day! 

Sunlit uplands beckon…….NERDS will be able to embrace and hug each other without fear of social censure. Joy shall be unrestrained! 

As discussed last time on Zoom, we meet on FRIDAY 23rd at Seaford Station in the Steamworkspub. Suggest 10.30 ish. My train arrives at 10.40. We lunch at either The Flying Fish or The Ark - whichever takes our fancy.


We may as well continue with the Zoom sessions on the 20th of the month, for Brian’s benefit at least. New log-ins though, as follows:


Meeting : 764 2563 7962


Password: ******


For some reason my computer would not allow me to book the meeting for 12.00 noon so I have booked for 11.30.

See you on the day

Harry

NEW DATE FOR JULY'S RAMBLE!! 23rd JULY 2021

Brilliant! OK. Let us do Friday 23rd. No changes!!

Harry


*******************


Harry….,23rd July Friday is ok for me .

Matt

********************

OK Harry, let's do Friday 23rd. You can do it, Matt can do it, Charles can do it and I can do it. Paco and Tony, I'm sure you can also do it!

Fast Frog


**********************

Fuck it! Fuck it! Fuck it! Have cancelled the dentists on the 14th but have now found out that I have to self-isolate for 7 days following Bab’s operation this coming Monday.

Therefore this means we can only meet the week after. Sorry to start this all again but who cannot make what that week? I cannot do Wednesday 21st. Monday would not be ideal but in extremis I could do it.
Sort it our NERDS!!

Harry

So the Ramble for July is the 14th!

Vive la Revolution! 

French Frog

Froggy's First Reply

Hi Harry and all,

I don't mind which day, although Matt and I have a provisional luncheon date on the Friday (so that would normally just leave the Tuesday or Thursday ....and Tuesday's my bluesday (shopping), but of course I can do, if required and I'm sure Matt and I could find another day if Friday became the firm favourite?

Currently watching a DVD given to me yonks ago by Mike Clarke called Broken Trail (he loved these sort of western-type films). Nothing unusual in the playing of this except that my son has rigged up some kinda setup for it to play directly onto the TV straight from the CD player on my stereo!!!! What??? Full explanation to anyone who is even remotely interested.

So to recap; Tuesday Thursday or Friday are ok which is basically all that you can do anyway Harry!

Go go go to all Harrys playing for England and can I say "please, you English wunderkinds, whack those Danes tomorrow in revenge for what they did to my lovely boys, with that grotesquely unfair scoreline". So give us another 4-0, but in our favour this time, having had the practice against Ukraine!!!

Froggy

July's Ramble Arrangements (1)

Hi all,

We provisionally booked the Ramble date for Wednesday 14th. Unfortunately I have a dentists appointment (root canal, ouch!) for that day. Anybody have a preference for another day that week? Not Monday.

Cheers

Harry

Chronicles of the fortunes on the NERDS

 Chronicles of the fortunes of the NERDS

The day dawned warm and sultry foreshadowing an above average hot day to come.  Froggy and Paco, who this time had already purchased his rail ticket, boarded the train at Seaford and travelled to Newhaven where they met up with Lafayette and then  continued on to Lewes to meet Sandyballs. Paco 

was sporting a new purple head covering which would magically keep him from suffering from sunstroke and identify him to the local facial recognition cameras forever more.

The travelling NERDS boarded the train to Berwick and alighted there and headed immediately to the Berwick Inn to prepare themselves for the rigours of actually rambling rather than staying in a nice pub garden and boozing all day - as has taken place once or twice in the past.  Beer was drunk and sunscreen applied to various exposed section of bodies not shielded by trousers, shirts or shorts and hats!

Reluctantly departing from the Berwick Inn the NERDS climbed the hill towards Arlington and then down to the reservoir

where various opinions were expressed as to which way around the lake would be quicker.  

Lafayette and Sandyballs went through the fields and arrived ten yards before Froggy and Paco but had difficulty getting over a chained gate so actually came second in the “going a bit round the reservoir” race!

The day continued extremely hot and from the reservoir the NERDS headed towards the church at Arlington (not Chalvington) and eventually made it to Pete’s Pub, The Yew Tree.  

Pete was not there but the NERDS were seated outside under cover and sweated and perspired. 

 

Amazingly there was no Harveys beer so everyone had red wine, white wine and Prosecco. 

  There was also the opportunity to sample other beer and brandy and coffee.  Lunch was mainly huge portions of lamb, superbly cooked, but as usual Sandyballs had fish and chips.  The barmaids all looked the same apart from their age and their service was pleasant and reasonably quick.

After eating and drinking the consensus was;”Fuck, we’ve got to walk back.”  It was still torrid but everyone set off stopping every hundred yards  

or so so that Lafayette could catch up and rest his weary bones.  Eventually everyone arrived knackered at the Berwick Inn and quenched their thirst with lots of alcoholic different things and counted out how many trains back to Lewes could be missed.  Ultimately the conveyance back to Lewes was boarded where everyone went off in their separate ways.

June 2021 Ramble update

Hi y’all,


This month we walk next Wednesday - the 16th - lunching at The Yew Tree in Chalvington. Not forgetting a pit stop (or two) at The Berwick Inn. No Matt (again) as he is visiting his health care professional.

So, the 10.25 from Seaford, arriving Lewes at 10.41. Then the onward train at 10.47 on Platform 3.

Don’t forget your sun-cream, hat and of course your face-mask.

Harry

June Ramble suggestions

Hi all NERDS,


I have quite a lot going on for the end of this month so would it be ok to have an early-ish Ramble this time? I am looking at Wednesday 16th. Problems for anyone?

I was thinking about a possible return to The Yew Tree, Not a long Ramble, a good place to eat and the benefits of a Pit Stop at The Berwick Inn (both ways!)

Theories, rants, objections all welcome!

Harry

May 2021 Ramble notes

LUCUBRATION ON A PEREGINATION




Thursday the 27th of May dawned cloudy but the sun soon drove off the cotton wool shadows and the NERDS awoke knowing that the ramble to The Rainbow pub at Cooksbridge was soon to commence. The Seaford contingent boarded the train betimes, however Paco nearly missed the carriage as he was sitting having breakfast at home in his underpants and had temporarily forgotten it was Ramble day. Everyone assembled at Lewes station and the muster rota showed that Sandyballs, the Routemaster, was there with Lafayette, Froggy and Paco but the Admiral was absent due to family business but had intimated that he would attend later!

The Pullman conveyed the NERDS onwards from Lewes to Cooksbridge where they rambled the half mile into the hinterland from the station to The Rainbow pub.

At the door to the Rainbow everyone was met by a youth by the name of Eddie! He looked about 17 years of age and with his amazingly painted on eyebrows was very. very camp but was obviously pleased to see some customers. (In fact he reminded Lafayette of the principal character in a book his mother used to read him at bed time to frighten him into going to sleep. (This was Little Black Sambo but of course nowadays you can’t say “Little”. “Black”. or “Sambo”, because it’s against The Law!!)






Anyway everyone sat outside in the very pleasant sunny weather and Eddie brought us some Harvey’s Best. That was OK. We failed to get a steak “meal deal” because it was the wrong time of day!!! But had steak anyway and it was very nice. The two bottles of wine ordered was Malbec but found it tasted sub-standard so Lafayette went back to Eddie and demanded a swop for some Merlot which was only slightly better!

Just then the Admiral rolled up in his Rolls (actually a BMW), joined us, made disparaging remarks about the wine list (Wot Wine List?) and set to at the pie he had ordered .






Pudding was pretty good, a crumble with ice cream and then we got to coffees and cognacs. Once again the Rainbow failed to deliver. We we offered “Three Barrels” brandy (it was that type of establishment) which we reluctantly took since there was no alternative. So if you’re going to The Rainbow in future remember; Food Good, Drink lousy!.

The NERDS needed to get back to the station quickly for the hourly train back. [Do you remember, Brian, how difficult it is to get boozed up NERDS to do anything quickly?] (Especially on “thee barrels brandy). So Harry set off at a pace down the road - by himself and the rest of the NERDS were kindly offered a lift in the Admiral’s rolls, back to the station. Lafayette thought it was really a treat to get in a car that wasn’t covered in seagull shit, for a change.

Thankfully everyone caught the train to Lewes and ended up in The Landsdowne Arms where we spent the rest of the afternoon looking out on the sunny road, drinking Harveys and boggling the home going schoolgirls and in some cases their Milfy mothers.

A great day, all in all, and thanks to SB for organising and to Eddie for waiting on us all.

I remind all that this is NOT a “write-up” and future essays to this blog will………………

But I digress

 

Hi All,

This month we go on THURSDAY 27th. Lunch location is The Rainbow in Cooksbridge. Seaford participants will need to take the 10.53 service which reaches Lewes at 11.11. A gentle stroll over to Platform 2 ( the last time I was there The Runaway Café was closed - but that may have changed) for the onward 11.27 train.

The service arrives at 11.32. There is bugger all to do in Cooksbridge so we will have to walk quite slowly to get to the pub for 12 noon, which is the opening time. This may involve sitting outside for a few minutes! Fortunately the weather forecast looks to be OK.


The Carvery is not available on a Thursday so you can study the menu online and make your choices. We should be 5 at table, including El Almirante. Matt cannot join us this time.

See you on the day


Harry

Hi all. Hope everyone involved did enjoy the renaissance of the NERDS last month. It was good to be back, although I was a little concerned with the level of Matt’s reliance upon the over-consumption of tap water! Not very NERD-like!

Anyway, let us discuss the date for the May ‘ramble’. Does anyone have a problem with THURSDAY May 27th? We talked about possibly going to The Rainbow, just a very short walk from Cooksbridge station. I will contact them soon to make a booking if that is OK with everyone.

Harry

                                       April Ramble  2021

The day broke fair and cloudless.  Lafayette amble down to the station at Newhaven and waited patiently for the train to arrive.  He had purchased his “old age pensioner” specially reduced fare from the booking clerk who knew him so well she had no need to seek proof of his antiquity!  The train from Seaford subsequently arrived and Lafayette clambered aboard to meet Paco, Matt and Froggy who we’re saving him a seat.  The train ambled on to Lewes where where everyone disembarked  and they all met up with Sandyballs.

The trouble began when Paco decided he perhaps ought ton buy a ticket (like you usually do on a train journey) and went to the office instead of down to platform 3.  Of course he missed the train to Berwick and was left to kick his heels in the waiting room while Laf’ phoned him to give him new instructions and to tell him how everyone was basking in the sun in the Berwick Inn garden and drinking Harveys’.

The NERDS had met Ed Coombe on the train to Berwick and he was going on to meet Wayne Wrath and a couple of other IOs for a drink somewhere near Polgate.

The NERDS continued to bask in the sunshine garden of the Berwick Inn and one pint morphed into two.  Soon it was realised that the following train from Lewes had stopped and no Taco had appeared so it was surmised that he had bypassed the Berwick Inn, foregoing the pints of Harveys’ and gone straight on to The Cricketers.

So began the actual ramble.  The road between the two pubs was largely devoid of traffic due to inevitable roadworks.  The party even got to the A27 and were able to stroll across.  On arrival at The Cricketers ,Pace had thoughtfully got a round in (as per Lafayette’s telephone instructions) and everyone was assigned a table outside in the garden as per National Instructions.  

Just then the weather decided to turn cloudy.

The food was good - everyone had chicken pies.  Then the company had disgustingly yummy puddings and coffees augmented by Lafayette’s hip flask, contains some exotic

spirit.  The weather turned cold, everyone sat around freezing and rubbing their hands for warmth.  The sun was a distant memory and the clouds above looked threatening.  Laf’ sat shivering and wearing his gloves.

When all could stand it no longer everyone hiked back to The Berwick Arms, drank some more beer and saw how many trains could be missed before returning to Lewes.

Apart from the later cold weather all had a good time, even Paco.  What was more amazing was that we had actually walked about at least a mile.  Froggy also took some pictures.

Yes, the real thing! Boots on the ground. Not a zoom screen!


We meet on THURSDAY the 29th. Destination The Cricketers in Berwick. I have booked a table there for 12.30. The menu is basically ‘pub grub’ and can be viewed on line. Coincidentally Barbara and I are dining there with friends this Tuesday so I will be able to give you some feedback.

So. The Seaford ‘community’ should take the 10.25 train which arrives at Lewes at 10.41 on Platform 4. I will join you at Platform 3 where the connection to Berwick leaves from at 10.47. We arrive at our destination at 10.58 which gives enough time for a pint at The Berwick Inn (which opens at 7AM!) I don’t think we need to book a table for a quick drink - given the hour and the rural location.

See you there!

Harry

 

Hello NERDS,

2021 has arrived and we are still mired in the new year problems with Covid-19 covering all the country.  Here in France we have had snow:-

I gather that the UK has also had some snow but not so much in the Sussex area.  Today all the snow has gone and the sun is shining and the birds twittering on the bird table vacuuming up all the sunflower seeds!

Froggy has arisen from his hibernation and has begun emailing with a vengeance and appears to be back on the “sauce”.  However, he does not appear to have the universal panacea against all ills, including the present pandemic, ‘Calvados’.  Here in France we have ample supplies although the vaccination against Covid-19 will not begin soon and us oldies will only get the “jab” sometime in March!  (Macron strikes again).

We are all looking forward to the next ZOOM meeting on Wednesday 20^th January.

Froggy's suggestion for 2020 October ramble

Hi Harry

I seem to remember that, years ago The Shining Light recommended an Eastbourne pub crawl. But it was all on pavements and we can't do that sort of thing during lockdown. I am not familiar with the "far" side of the town so my one and only suggestion is to do the old chestnut favourite of walking down off the Downs to either the Pilot or the Ship (we'll have to agree on one of them for booking purposes). We would need to get off the bus at the Eastbourne Downs Golf Club/South Downs Way bus stop. We have all done this walk so there would be no surprises. After lunch we could follow the usual promenade walk and could always try and pop into the Buccaneer en route back to the bus stop/train station? I know Matt enjoys this one! One for further discussion in the zoom. Seaford ETA at 10 might be a little early, unless we take refreshment in the Old Boot, which actually opens at 10. I'll make a note of the bus times so that there's no time wasting at the library bus stop.

Cheers!

Froggy

October 2020 Arrangement suggestion

 

Hi all,


This month we meet on Wednesday 21st. I am contemplating a shortish ramble around the Eastbourne area. We haven’t been there collectively for some years and it is largely terra incognita for your Routemaster, so I would appreciate some help and ideas from those of the Seaford community.

Shall we meet at Seaford Railway station at about 10.00 ? Then a number 12 bus ride. Let me know if you have any thoughts. By the way the scheduled Zoom meeting is the day before so we may as well stick to that. I will send out the usual log-in details nearer the time - it is the same as before of course.

Glad we are not back in lockdown!

Harry

September 2020 joining instructions

This month the renascent NERDS walk on Wednesday 23rd. As previously stated, the event will be centred in Lewes, so Seaford types should take the 10.25 train and I will meet you outside Lewes station .Don’t forget your face mask! We will take a gentle stroll to The Blacksmiths Arms in Offham. We have been there before but the pub under the new management now does Jamaican food. You can look at the menu online and have a moan to yourselves about the prices. However, there should be a 25% discount on the day we visit. I have booked a table for 12.15.


We shall have time in Lewes for a coffee before the walk as most pubs (including our lunchtime destination and The Brewers) do not now open until 12 noon. I would NOT suggest a drink at The Volunteer!

No Zoom NERDS session on Sunday 20th as we are away for the weekend.

See you next week.

Harry