Froggy's arrangements for September Ramble

I have literally just returned from Devon and felt obliged to write this without (proverbially) getting my coat off. Your pressure email Matt came though to my spam. Imagine that?


OK you Nerds, thanks to the limited time left to organise Wednesday's outing and not knowing when and where Harry could find us, I have decided to scrub the idea of walking the 3 miles from the pier to the marina and instead suggest we keep close to the station and possibly meet you Harry in the Wetherspoons (formally the Slug and Lettuce) opposite said station. I shall look into suitable pubs but can't in all honesty make a booking without knowing numbers. I know Laf and Matt are coming but could you Tony, Paco and Mike please let me know if you fancy a gentle stroll or not. Who knows? we might even venture as far as the Rainbow and visit some Old Town pubs?


I'm in the Tower first thing tomorrow but I'll continue with suitable bus times, selected venues etc. in the afternoon and then send out joining instructions. I'm thinking of maybe getting to Eastbourne @ 11:30 so I'll work backwards from that.

Watch this space

Froggy

Harry's cancellation

Hi all,
Sorry about this but I am going to have to cancel myself from the ramble. I have been diagnosed with a heart complaint – atrial fibrillation. No big deal, I think it is reasonably common. I went to see the Quack today and he has put me on some medication. I will also have to attend a cardiac ward at some time in the future. Anyway the Doc wants to see me – you’ve guessed it – next Wednesday. Ramble day! He was not too impressed when I tentatively asked if I could come another day because I had a social engagement!
Anyway I suggest you go ahead with the Ramble. Perhaps I can join you later? The surgery is very close to Lewes railway station. Maybe .
Have a good time you lot. See you soon.
Cheers
Harry

September 2023 date for ramble

Hi,

Let us meet on Wednesday 13th. Eastbourne. Details to follow!

Harry

Hello all,

Just trying to get a date organised for next month. Hopefully a visit to the fair town of Eastbourne. By bus. How about Wednesday 13th or 27th? Any thoughts?

Cheers

Harry

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.

August 2023 arrangements

Look forward to seeing all of you at Lewes Station tomorrow. Weather looks good.
No reply from Malcolm of course.

Cheers

Harry

August 2023 Ramble first suggestions

Good to see all 7 potential NERDS on our last outing, 100% attendance! Perhaps zero need to do any actual walking was part of the attraction?


Anyway we discussed the fact that August will mark 35 years of the NERDS. The first Ramble was from Lewes to Glynde by the founder members – Matt, Lafayette and myself – with lunch at The Trevor Arms. That establishment has been closed for years so no chance to repeat that. We did discuss the possibility of going to The Laughing Fish at Isfield – an old NERDS favourite. I have checked and it is possible to take the bus to The Halfway House for a pint then a short walk across the fields to The Fish. The return bus goes through Isfield so no probs there.


Now the difficult bit. We did originally look at Wednesday 23rd but that is now difficult for me. How about Thursday 17th? Any takers?


Harry

The July 2023 Ramble

The NERDS came out in force yesterday - there was Matt, Bish, Captain, Sandyballs, Froggy. Paco and moi. We got on the 12x bus

from Seaford (at least, the Seaford contingency did ), then they were joined by Laf and on. on into Brighton to meet Sandyballs at Starbucks. Starbucks was full of very young, leggy females

who were either tourists or schoolgirls on holiday. It was hell. The NERDS sat around talking shit and comparing hearing aids. Nobody noticed all the female flesh walking around ( of course not).

Eventually a No, 77 bus

came and we all used our bus passes ( of course ) and sat upstairs for the view. Finally we got to Devil's Dyke which seemed to be a huge tourist attraction

for everybody, School holidays, you know.

So we rushed inside and bagged a table and a waitress.

Food was excellent and lots of bottles of red wine were drunk

- mostly Rioja and Argentinian Malbec

- very nice. Then the photos began.

You will see that I wuvved Froggy very much.

More than that I don't remember.

I do vaguely remember getting on the 77 back to the station and then getting a bus home to Newhaven. Must have been a good ramble.

We should have another ramble in August.

July's Hopeful Ramble 2023

Hi all,

After the shambolic attempts to visit Devils Dyke

over the last 2 months – I thought we would have a third attempt this month! A triumph of hope over experience?

How about Wednesday 26th? That is OK for Lafayette and myself. Please let me know.

Cheers

harry

June 2023 Ramble Cancelled!

May's 2023 Ramble

On Wednesday four NERDS went on a ramble,

(beginning with the usual train journey)

and yes, we did walk a bit, We were Sandyballs, Froggy, Matt et Moi.

Paco had a bad ribcage and everyone else was just "No show."


The weather was warm and sunny, although nobody dared to turn up in shorts. We met a couple of random people at Lewes railway station who wore shorts ( see pics) but they weren't going to come with us.


Anyway, S.B. led us up left from the station and down an exciting road which allegedly led to Lewes Dump. This route was actually quite pleasant even in the good weather when you had to walk, as long as you were able to dodge the odd (and frequent) car bombing along to unload its four poster bed at the dump. After a while we headed towards the Mighty Ouse and found some new paths

in the vicinity which led past the bourgeois townhouse dwellings of the Lewes Elite.Very Posh, Very jealous.

Matt began to sniff.......and said he could smell something.......


Eventually we fetched up at The Gardeners

where there was a pretty barmaid and where we drank some Harveys.

Then we had to race up School Hill quick to get to The Rights of Man for lunch. We managed to cram ourselves around two small tables upstairs,

outside in the boiling sun.

But what a privilege, what a view. Both someone's washing and The Castle.

Food and drink wasn't bad and we shimmered in the heat.


Finally after lots of puddings and coffees and illicit under the table smuggled brandy from SB we called it a day and went home.


Thanks to Sandyballs for an interesting route, to Froggy for the photos and to Matt for smelling out The Money.

Love to All.

Lafayette.

May 2023 Possible Ramble date

Hi all,

I know some of you are currently in far flung parts of the world but doubtless in contact with Blighty on your iPads. I think that we should set a date for the May Ramble. How about Wednesday 24th. Let me know your views, theories, rants, etc.

Harry

2023 April Ramble (or pub-crawl).

We went for a " ramble " last Thursday. NERDS are ever dwindling and Matt always seems to be on a cruise somewhere so we were reduced to Paco, Froggy, Sandyballs et moi.


We all met at The Steamworks,

the cafe cum pub next to Seaford railway station. This place is of course very handy to get to, and saves having to drive when drinks are involved.


After a few coffees and Kraken rums

(Froggy's favourite drink) we found that they served a beer brewed locally by Roger Daltrey of Who fame.

This was quite delicious so we had a couple of these and pondered going on a ramble somewhere, Froggy had a route planned that involved getting the bus to Eastbourne and then walking around somewhere. Unfortunately after a couple of Roger Daltrey

Specials nobody felt inclined to go anywhere - so we didn't.


Instead we "rambled" down the road to The Plough,

the Seaford pub nearest the churchyard where the C**ds used to assemble when Brian Atrill was alive. So with this powerful recommendation we had high expectations. It was nearly full of the local bourgeoisie and we had trouble getting a table for four! How times have changed. We used to go to a country pub, take over the whole place and not get thrown out until about 4 o'clock.


The food was good, most of us showed little imagination and had either fish and chips or scampi and chips (Old Folks' Food) plus a lot of wine and cognac from Sandyballs secret store. Then we finished off with Eton Mess, (always interesting to see how different pubs approach this).


So after all this heavy walking and drinking we went home.

Final Arrangements for April's 2023 Ramble

Hi ,
Next Ramble is THURSDAY the 13th, As previously messaged, this will be a home game for the Seafordites. We meet at The Steamworks micro-pub at about 10.40. Basically it is a make-it-up-as you go Ramble. Lunch could be at one of the many dozen faux Italian restaurants to be found in the Newhaven-Seaford conurbation.
Incidentally, I was in The Anchor Ringmer on Wednesday. I enquired about Malcolm from one of the serving wenches and she said that Bronco was better and had been into the pub a few times recently. Hopefully he will be well enough soon to reply to emails from Froggy and myself!

Cheers
Harry

2023 April Ramble arrangements

Hi guys

After meeting up in Steamworks, @ whenever, I thought we could maybe bus it to Eastbourne from the library and walk to a pub (I remember as being) the Terminus. It does sensible basic food and is a haven for old gits. What is good is the fiesty ancient barmaid, a good choice of ales and the possible opportunity to commandeer an American-styled 50's booth if available and if there are only a max 4 of us. Or................there is always the Cornhill Garage Wetherspoons........... the choice is there!

I will personally ensure that you, Harry get back to Seaford station for maybe more foaming pints ahead of your train, unless of course you'd prefer going Eastbourne direct to Lewes?

So this is my idea for the April ramble (a mere 1 - 2 mile max on concrete, both ways but basically an old-fashioned bus-pass ramble)!

Sorry Matt, I feel pretty sure you'd have loved this? Hope the cruise is giving you good vibrations? Maybe we can include another Wetherspoon breakie when you're free)?

Bus passes at the ready!!!

Froggy X


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

Thanks Harry, I appreciate your chosen date and I'll look into any possible "beyond the seafront" options.

Either your 10:00 arriving in Seaford at 10:17 or your 10:30 arriving at 10:48 would be good for the Steamworks meet up?

Cheers!

Phil

April's Ramble arrangements 2023

Hi,

How about meeting on THURSDAY 13th? Can be flexible around the day. Probably meeting up in Steamworks Seaford and having a short walk along the Front.

Cheers

Harry

March 2023 Ramble

No notes this time but perhaps there will be some later!

Some time later!:-

Anyway, my memories of the ill-fated March Ramble. It took place on THURSDAY 23rd – always a bad plan to abandon the usual Wednesday plan. The gods don’t approve and it usually rains! Prior to the day of the walk the excuses started to roll in – the usual “ I feel a bit ill”

, “ I am on a cruise”, “ I mistook the date” etc.. So at the meeting point at Lewes station

there was only myself and Froggy. Although not technically a quorum, we decided to go ahead with the walk as there was a rumour that one or two members may meet us at the pub – The Juggs at Kingston.

The route was familiar to all NERDS and is famous for being almost totally on tarmac. Mercifully it was dry and fine and the time passed pleasantly and there were no tiresome periods of silence that occasionally characterize some rambles.



Eventually we made the pub and rushed to the bar, tongues hanging out and desperate to slake our thirst with foaming pints. We passed into the dining room and found Matt and the Bish ensconced there and necking pints ( well the Bish was). Turns out these two worthies had arrived in Matt’s car. So there were only two walkers

on the day! We dined and quaffed well and then it was time to hit the road. Well it was for me as Froggy also returned to Seaford in Matt’s car. Eschewing the almost non-existent 123 bus service I had to pound the pavement

back to Lewes solo. So ended the March 2023 Ramble – I don’t know if rambles have Numbers any more?



Cheers



Harry

2023 March Ramble re-arrangements

Hi again. There may be a couple of changes to the arrangements for Thursday. Firstly, the weather may be questionable. Secondly, and more importantly, the two pubs I had thought about for a pitstop – both don’t open until 12 noon. Not a lot of use for us.



I will have a rethink and may well do something else. But the basic arrangements are the same. !0.25 Seaford to Lewes. The famed NERDS flexibility in action again!



Harry

March 2023 Ramble arrangements

Hi all,


Just a reminder that we walk this month on THURSDAY March 23rd. We are going to attempt to visit The Juggs in Kingston. I will book a table for about 1PM, allowing for a pit-stop enroute.


So, the usual routine. The 10.25 from Seaford and I will meet you at Lewes Station. Return will be either walking back to Lewes (me) or the 123 bus back to Newhaven , Fingers crossed for the weather!

Harry

2023 February's Ramble

We got a new member for the NERDS yesterday - Steve Brown, from Gatwick, Lagos, Folkestone and Calais. He has recently moved to Newhaven so we signed him up quick before he could escape.

Yesterday Lafayette was in charge so nothing could go wrong except..........

We met at Newhaven station Sandyballs, Laf. Paco, the Bish and Froggy come lately who had walked all the way from Seaford.

First stop was a coffee at The Sidings, the new(ish) trendy cafe by the station. Only we were faced with a barred gate and no cafe. Maybe summer hadn't arrived yet. So, plan B. a ten minute stroll round to The Ark for an aperitif pint - no problem.

On arrival at The Ark it seemed rather dark and lacking in personnel. Lafayette read out the bad news- it didn't open till twelve and it was now only about 11 o'clockish. OK, well , on to Plan C, go to The Hope and Hope it was open.

Google indicated it opened at 11 00hrs so the terror in Lafayette's breast calmed for a while until........

We got to the Hope at about ten past 11. It promised on the board outside that it should be open - only it wasn't. In fear and trepidation Lafayette hammered on the door demanding NERDS' Human Rights. Eventually a cheerful yoof deigned to open the door and told us there was no food available."You do do beer,

I hope" said Laf. icily."Yes, of course, we're a pub innit?" the yoof replied and let us in. ( phew!)

We got our drinks and sat outside

in the glorious sunshine and watched the ferry go past all the time being so glad we lived in an area which had such a choice of magnificent drinking holes,

Steve B. (aka The Gorilla because of his fearsome reputation for downing bucket loads of calvados. Do Gorillas drink calvados? anyway he, as a new entrant to the area was getting less and less impressed, especially when he was told that he couldn't go on the sandy beach nearby because it belonged to the French and they had said Non!

Anyway we went for a bit of a walk up to the sea

and then back again

and then since it was nearly dinner time and since Laf had had the foresight to book a table at La Luna Rossa, we went there and managed to get in first time.

Food and drink there was as usual excellent

- lots of pizzas, funghi, tagliatelli and icecream.

No wonder it's Lafayette's favourite eatery.

After that we went back to The Ark which was now open. Then, disdaining their crappy beer and previous lack of hospitality, we drank coffee (at least Lafayette did, but with a bit of Sandyball's brandy in it.

The we all went home,