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

Covid-19 April Fools' Day

Dear NERDS,

What fascinating times we find ourselves enjoying in the twilight of our years. 

Given the slightly better weather and the drying out of the land we should be anticipating striding out in a mud-free landscape, listening to the sound of birdsong and the buzzing of bees…….Our destination would be an agreeable rural hostelry, perhaps with a thatched roof and roses around the door. Inside a smiling, buxom barmaid would be dispensing foaming pints at astonishingly low prices. Well, we can only dream.

Ultimately, when we get to the other side of all this I hope the NERDS can reconvene and rise Phoenix-like from the ashes and start rambling (and drinking) again.

Stay safe, all the usual clichés and keep in touch.

Harry

St Patrick's Day Ramble - Cancelled

Sorry, but our "ramble" for today is cancelled .

Have a drink at home instead.

Happy St Patrick's Day (Oh, the irony!)

Lafayette.

New Joining Instructions 15.3.2020

Dearest NERDS,


In view of certain fears by certain members, the ramble this Tuesday will be modified.

It would probably not be a good idea to go into Brighton and mingle with the dirty, filthy hoi poloi that infest this den of iniquity.

We shall therefore meet as usual chez moi for a St Patrick's drink and visit Rottingdean for drinks and a meal at The Plough.

We shall be travelling on public transport so those who are scared of infection may wish to book their own taxi or sedan chair.

See you all on Tuesday. Keep washing those hands! 

Lafayette.

Joining Instructions for St. Patrick's Day Ramble March 2020

Dear NERDS,



We shall celebrate St Patrick, patron saint of Jamesons, on Tuesday 17th March.

The plan is to meet up chez Lafayette between 10 and 10 30 where we shall have a drink and hatch our plans.

These will probably include taking the bus to Rottingdean and going to The Plough for lunch.

After this a trip to the fleshpots of Brighton cannot be ruled out.

So dig out your old green jumpers and don't forget your buspasses

See you all on the 17th.

Lafayette.

March 2020 day Arrangements

St Paddy's Day (on a Tuesday the 17th) has been chosen for the March ramble and we'll at least be able to welcome Dio, who absolutely loves doing this!

Twill be sad not to see Michael there but I'm sure he'll be toasted and remembered more than once.

2020 February's "ramble"

We had a very strange ramble today with me being the only one to leave Seaford. Charlie joined me at Newhaven and Harry at Lewes. No sign of Matt, Tubby, Bish, Paco or Malcolm at Lewes with Harry. So, even though this was Tony's gig he notified Harry that he couldn't come as he had a cold and was going off somewhere tomorrow - huh! Matt chose to drive to the pub as he had a cough (didn't hear it once) and Tubby had his usual better offer. Don't know about Malcolm but Paco also turned up in his car at the pub having arrived for the next train and re-reading Harry's joining instructions! We 3 arrived at the Rainbow at 11:05. No alcohol until 12:00 and the coffees were lukewarm! Pleasant chilling was interrupted by migratory wildebeest old trouts and we had to get to the booked table sharpish to get out carvery roasts in sensibly good time! Good value roasties and we all enjoyed a good lunch. Matt was going to Sainsburys and took Harry & Charlie so I chose to go with Paco and check out North Way to see if anything was happening with Mike's gaff - zilch, nada, nothing! Apart from actual rain-called-off rambles, this one has to go down in history as the shortest ramble I've ever been on (sung to that well known Philby tune). Found myself at home well before 15:00!!!