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.

June's Ramble Date

Hi all,


Malcolm (aka Bronco) recently met up for lunch with Phil (aka Froggy) and they talked about the possibility of the NERDS meeting up with Malc at his local hostelry, the Anchor in Ringmer. I subsequently exchanged emails with Malc and we agreed to all meet up towards the end of the month. We decided upon TUESDAY 28th June. A bit late I know but other engagements intrude….

So probably the usual train to Lewes, a bus from Waitrose up Malling Hill and then a short walk to the ever expanding village of Ringmer. More details nearer the time.

As is now customary, I will be booking a table at the pub. Please let me know if you cannot make it.

Cheers

Harry

May's Ramble write-up 11.5.2022

The 11th day of May broke fine and sunny proving that the sun shines on the righteous and as it was Paco’s birthday and the day of the NERDS May ramble everything boded well for the day. Paco celebrated being three quarters of a century old and had previously promised to buy everyone Prosecco to commemorate his long-livedness. (Lafayette was becoming certain that all the NERDS were changing into girlies as the gallons of Calvados usually consumed has been usurped by fizzy Italian white wine!). The Seaford contingent travelled by train to Lewes and met Sandyballs and then everyone faffed about in The Runaway Cafe drinking coffee and giving Paco his birthday cards (no presents) while they waited for the train to Cooksbridge.


Actually the Bish was sicking to his macho side and had brought some 5o years old Calvados for everyone to try. (It had been on his sideboard for 50 years forgotten yet ever maturing.). It tasted OK, not like the stuff Lafayette used to buy off the PAF and which turned into something akin to soapy water after a couple of months! (Ed:- My experience of the PAF Eau de Vie is that it blew one’s head off even after several years in the bottle.)

And so the group of NERDS went to Cooksbridge, walked across the road and found an old red telephone box

(this is rural Sussex after all; ie: no mobile phones) but this telephone box was stuffed with old paperback books thrown out by the locals.

Since there were no tomes that held any interest to the NERDS and no original first editions worth purloining everyone trudged up the long, long road to The Rainbow pub where it was Wednesday - Carvery Day!!

For once the NERDS were the first, hurray!,

pre-empting the ‘old trouts’ so they were the first to get the pick of the food. Not bad this, a choice of three meat joints and lots of extras. Meanwhile Paco had treated everyone to a couple of bottles of Prosecco which went down very well with the food.

At this point Froggy regaled us about how he went into a pub with a girl on each arm and bumped into Dennis Waterman (recently deceased) who was with only one girl..... so Froggy had effectively out-girled a famous television star.


Following the lunch everyone quick marched back to Cooksbridge

in the rain which was just beginning descend. From Cooksbridge by train to Lewes and thence into the Lansdowne Arms where the Bish bought a complete round of drinks and then everyone dispersed.

Our thanks to Sandyballs for getting the weather half right and for organising the ramble. Also thanks to Paco for having his 75th birthday and for buying us all Prosecco. And thanks to Froggy for taking all the photographs.

Next ramble to be arranged and promulgated shortly. Lafayette.

May's Ramble joining arrangements check

Don’t forget the Ramble on Wednesday. 10.25 train out of Seaford. Matt and Mike have cried off so we may only be 5 at table.

Harry

May's 2022 Joining arrangements

This month we meet on Wednesday 11th. As discussed last month we visit the small village of Cooksbridge for the popular carvery lunch at The Rainbow. Good value at £9.99. This has also the advantage of a short walk - make that a very short walk.

The 10.25 from Seaford gets to Lewes at 10.41, allowing ample time at The Runaway Café for a coffee or whatever prior to taking the 11.27 to Cooksbridge. This arrives at 11.32, slightly early for the pub which opens at 12 noon! We will have to walk slowly!

I have booked a table for 6 NERDS. PLEASE let me know if you are not going to make it so I can amend the booking.

TTFN

Harry

The April Ramble 2022

 

This is what we got up to the other day.

Froggy was in charge so ordered everyone to meet in the Steamworks at Seaford.

This place is getting better and better and hopes to open a branch at Glynde so that NERDS can doss around there where the countryside can be accessed with the minimum of effort.

Paco rolled up with yet another grandchild

- called Lily. Well I suppose someone needs to take him by the hand and get him moving on the right day. Lily didn't look like Paco, but there again neither did Sasha. Anyway, she was young and had a phone to fiddle with so she ticked all the right boxes.

The NERDS had a few drinks then Laf was railroaded by Sandyballs into getting some chips from Trawlers (Laf may have a bad biscuit habit but it's nothing compared to S B's craving for chips every ten minutes.) 

Froggy then took us all along the seafront to admire his new Ukrainian flag atop his new place of work.Then we carried on to admire the outside of poor dead Hamish's beach hut where so many women lost their er... teabags. What a smooth talker he had been....and such a hard worker too....

We went up a hill which by God's grace was only short and not too steep.

The treat at the other end was Seaford Golf Club (specially for S.B.) where we met The Bish but not The Tubb.

It was the first shift for the blonde girly at the till, so ordering stuff was a bit slow. However she responded well to Matt's offer of help (he being a technological wizard) and managed to keep her hands on the till and off Matt.

The food was OK ish but smallish portions apart from Bish's mega ploughmans.

But most things are either going up in price these days or else diminishing in size - even the women. Finally we had a very interesting conversation led by The Bish about the relative merits of NHS hearing aids compared with those funded by the private sector. Honestly, Lafayette could hardly stop panting with excitement.

Later on Froggy lead most of us back through the labyrinth known as the back roads of Seaford, and we ended up in the Cinque Ports drinking stuff and watching the rain beginning to pour outside. 

Nice ramble, just about the right distance, and an interesting Mystery Guest. Who will Paco bring next time? Is he going to host Ukrainian Girlies? Laf can't bear the anticipation.

Watch this (small) space.

Next ramble May 11th - Paco's birthday. So Champagne and Ukrainian dolly birds. make sure you're all there - even Paco.

All for now.

lafayette.

Further April 2022 Ramble arrangements

Fellow Nerds

As per Matt's advice I have booked at table for 7 at the View. Both Tony and Mike will be joing us for lunch only and I have booked it for 13:00 hrs via the voicemail answerphone.

I hope to meet up with the walking 4 in Steamworks between 10:00 and 10:20 and eventually find our way beyond Splash Point to the clubhouse sometime between 12:30 and 13:00.

Unfortunately the weather may be a trifle damp in the afternoon, but that shouldn't deter us hardy Nerds!

Froggy X

Froggy's Joining instructions for April 2022 Ramble

Thanks Harry! I hope you and yours have overcome the dreaded lurgy. I thought I had a few days ago but this morning it came howling back to bite me on the bum and prevent my appearance in the Martello Tower Archives. Can't stop coughing, gagging, spluttering and snotting - bummer, quite literally.

Well this month we Seafordians get to play on home turf!

Harry, if you could get the 10:00 hrs train outta Lewes and arrive in Steamworks

at 10:20, I'm crossing fingers that, hopefully, all the good Nerds of Seaford will come out to play and meet up with you inside said establishment. I'll leave it up to you locals with timing but I would suggest sometime between 10:00 and 10:20? Charles! You get to make your usual choice between bus and train, inshallah.

The plan is then to make our way along the seafront towards Splash Point,

with one or two points of interest along the way and then up and over the small incline to the View, 

 probably for lunch, as by now it may be quite late. Nice drop of Harveys but a limited menu, albeit tasty in parts. Great outlook but acoustics can be as bad or worse than in Gino's basement once all the golfers are in. Matt gets to choose the table as he is the most frequenter and thus the most knowledgeable of where best to sit.

Following lunch, we make our way back towards the station area and those of you Seafordians who prefer to call it a day can then peel off towards your respective homes. Simples!

Just to confirm the agreed date, it is next Tuesday 12th April, sometime between 10:00 and 10:20 in Steamworks.

Frogmaster Snotto x

April 2022 Ramble Arrangements

This month we gather on TUESDAY 12th. For reasons that escape me. ( On this day in 1861 the American Civil War began!). Anyway, this will take place in the Seaford/Newhaven area, apparently, and I believe Froggy is orchestrating a route and a lunch venue. Over to you, Frog!


Harry

March 2022 Ramble

This is what happened last week. 


Wednesday March 16th 2022. We were: Sandyballs, moi (Lafayette), Froggy, Paco, the Bish and the Admiral.


The NERDS entrained to Glynde and then Routemaster, S.B. led us up a steep hill past all the Glynde Estate Peasants' cottages to The Glynde Hang Gliding Club where we stopped at a tea/coffee/ bacon and eggs/shack to have a quick drink and to recover from climbing the hill. 

In the fascinating elevenses' chit chat we discovered that Froggy did indeed have a Baron de Haas in his family, although this was on his mother's side so it probably didn't count (ha, ha! boom, boom!)


We descended on to the A27, the road no pedestrian ever dares to cross, but we did it because of a thoughtfully placed pedestrian crossing.


We walked through Firle village where someone seemed keen on chopping all the trees down - probably because they'd all got Covid. Then we went into The Ram

which is well known for its pretentious meals and high prices (well the NERDS are all rich now and retired so no longer are we barred from poncy pubs just because some of us talk too loudly).

We sat round a round table and Admiral even had the temerity to ask for a change of beer because it was cloudy. In fact the food was good although bigger portions would have been welcome, and the place was actually warm and welcoming.


Thereafter it was quick march back to the station

at Glynde including braving the A27 again, followed by a quick drink at the Runaway, then back home.


Thanks be to Sandyballs for taking us on a NEW ramble and for holding off the Sussex sandstorm which we got later instead of rain.

It must have been good - it all took place on a Wednesday. Hooray!

Regards

Lafayette.

March 2022 Joining arrangements

Hi all,

This month we meet on Wednesday 16th. We are going to attempt to reprise last month’s cancelled walk to the Ram Inn at Firle. I have booked a table for 5 (no Matt, again) but please let me know if you are not attending so I can amend the booking.

The train timetable appears to have changed since last month. So Seafordites take the usual 10.25 departure to Lewes arriving at 10.41. Then hotfoot across to Platform 3 for the service to Glynde leaving at 10.46. No time to pop in to the Runaway Café but there may be a chance for a coffee stop between Glynde and Firle.

Fingers crossed for fine weather……

Cheers

Harry

March 2022 Ramble date

Hi all,

After the debacle of The Ramble That Never Was in February, I thought we would have another go at walking to and lunching in The Ram at Firle.


The date will be March 16th. Note that this is a WEDNESDAY. Experience over the last 30 plus years teaches us that it never rains on a WEDNESDAY. Well, hardly ever.

I shall book a table at the pub for 6 - which is now our maximum. Please let me know if you are not going to be there so I can amend the booking.

Cheers

Harry

Not a February Ramble

The NERDS were due to go on a ramble on Tuesday but the weather looked grim - lots of rain

and Paco checked the forecast and sensibly decided not to come.

Matt was still at home in fear of his life and The Bish and the Captain were both washing their hair (separately.)


Lafayette and Froggy were the only ones to meet Sandyballs at Lewes. He was a) disappointed at the low turnout and b) pissed off when he realised he had paid £2.50 for a ticket to Glynde that he wasn't going to use. As it was just starting to rain we decided to abandon the ramble until a better day and just go and get wasted in Lewes. Boom, boom!


After a brief sojourn in The Runaway Cafe to gather our thoughts we proceeded along Cliffe High Street almost tripping over some beggar who strongly resembled the late Philby,

and who was inconsiderately blocking the pavement and asking for money. Since Sandyballs, having lost £2.50, was now bankrupt, he gave him a kick and we carried on to the Lewes Bike Shop. There we saw a magnificent bike in the window , all shiny and new and a real snip at £ 3,750.

Sandyballs was tempted but having recently lost all his money on rail fares, decided that kicking the Philby beggar would be his only pleasure of the day. So, no bike.

The NERDS found themselves in The Gardeners.

Lafayette and Froggy drank Harveys and S.B. tried a couple of the other beers which he had to put on account as he was broke. (See above). After about an hour of idle chit chat we decided on lunch and went outside in the rain to go to The Dorset Arms.

Lafayette knows this place well as he usually comes here on a Monday whenever he's been off robbing liferings

along the Ouse. Although Laf knew the coffee here was good their cuisine was an unknown quantity. Laf. had chicken (!!!) stew which was very good. Froggy had cold tagliatelli and Sandy balls had the smallest piece of fish in the whole universe and about five chips.

So once again S.B. was pissed off. It really wasn't his day, firstly the ramble abandonado, then losing all his money on a futile train ticket, then not being able to buy his dream bike and finally being served up a crappy meal in the Dorset. Oh, and when we came out it was really pissing down with rain so we all got very, very wet.

And so Froggy and Laf trudged back to the station and got drencheder and drencheder.

As rambles go it had not exactly been a success but next month it's St Paddy's day and so (logically) the next ramble will be on the the 16th, ie. the day after. This is because St Paddy's is on a Tuesday and, like today, we don't have any luck with rambles that don't take place on a Wednesday (just don't ask).

Lafayette.

Valentine's Day

 

Happy Valentine’s day to all. We expect everyone to bring their Valentine’s cards from yesterday when arriving at Lewes at 1042hours. May your amorous adventures all come to fruition by the time of the ramble on the 15th!

2022 February's Ramble

This month we walk on TUESDAY 15th. For a change we will be experiencing what I believe is a brand new ramble. A long time since that has happened! We will be lunching at The Ram in Firle. 

I know we have lunched there before but not for many years. The actual walk, which is short and flat, starts from Glynde Railway station.

I made the unusual move of doing a recce for this one (by bike) and called in at The Ram to book a table. No Menu was available and there is not one on their website. The rather comely manageress assured me that they have steaks, burgers and some kind of fish dish. Memory suggests that the prices are not cheap.

So, the usual 10.25 from Seaford to Lewes, arriving at 10.42. We then have time for a coffee at The Runaway Café before the onward connection to Glynde at 11.15.

Don’t forget it is TUESDAY!!

Harry

The January 2022 Ramble

 

Last January 4th was Lafayette's BIRTHDAY RAMBLE but nobody cared and he cancelled it in a sulk.
                                                             

On the second attempt it didn't look any better when Laf. met just Froggy on the train. "Ou sont les autres who had promised to come?" sobbed Lafayette as he held back a tear.


Surprisingly at Lewes three more NERDS got off the train - The Bish, The Captain and Paco, all of whom had been in a different carriage hiding from Froggy. Matt had remained at home with his head down the toilet trying to avoid the Grim Reaper of Covid.

When Sandyballs appeared at Lewes Lafayette cried for joy and the NERDS' Quorum was increased.


We travelled to the Berwick Inn which was chock-a-block with aged cyclists all resplendent in lycra and making a hearty breakfast. No-one ever found out where they were from or where they were going. It remained one of the great mysteries of the universe.


The NERDS were shoved into a side room where Paco entertained us with tips on how to survive a massive heart attack and end up in a jacuzzi with 16 Spanish dancing girls.

Maybe he should write a book and become a famous author like the other two members of the NERDS' Literary Society.


We then proceeded to The Cricketers

where we were met by an excitable and voluble barmaid

who jabbered at us and took our orders.

The food as usual at The Cricketers, was good and

The Bish bought a bottle of wine to go with our mutually ordered cheese course.


We lurched back to The Berwick to pay our respects again before playing "beat the train to the level crossing."

- a sort of drinking game we often play when ending up in this neck of the woods.


Then we got home and Lafayette opened all the presents and cards which nobody had bothered to give him because it wasn't actually his birthday any more. Never mind it's Sandyball's birthday tomorrow ( the 20th) so maybe Lafayette can covertly go round and pinch some of the cards and presents his
daughters will be leaving in his porch.


Bye bye for now .

Lafayette.

Ramble One of 2022 Update

Hello NERDS,

Postponed ramble is next Wednesday 19th Jan.

It will be the same joining instructions as previously ie. get the Seaford train at 10 25hrs arriving 10 41 at Lewes, then we take the 10 47 ( ie only 6 mins between trains ) getting to Berwick at 10 58.

Berwick Inn opens at 1100hrs for drinkies and we are booked thereafter for The Cricketers at 13 00hrs.for lunch.

See you next week.

Lafayette.

Rescheduled January 2022 Ramble

 

Dear NERDS,

New date for the next ramble will be Wednesday !9th January.

Let's hope you can make this one. 

Lafayette.


Dear NERDS,

A number of NERDS are unable to make the ramble next Tuesday for a variety of reasons. I regret to say, therefore, that l have decided to cancel the walk and hope to reschedule at a later date.

Apologies for the inconvenience.

Lafayette.