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!!!

February 2020 Ramble joining instructions

Our next meet is on Wednesday 12th. Once again we can look forward to a short ramble this time, which may be music to (some of ) your ears.

This time we can thank Tony for our choice of lunch destination. 

He spotted that The Rainbow Carvery just outside Cooksbridge does a roast dinner on a Wednesday for only £8.95p. Apparently the food is good as well, as Tony has tried the carvery there on a Sunday.

I will book a table for 6 persons as I ever know how many NERDS are actually going to turn up.

Anyway, the train to go for is the 10.25 from Seaford. I (and hopefully Malcolm) will meet you on Platform 2. There are trains going back to Lewes at convenient times.

See you on the day.

Harry

Further February Ramble date suggestion

Hi all,

How about Wednesday 12th? Any objections?

Harry

February 2020 Ramble suggestions

Happy New Year to all Nerds...........


.........and now what about the February ramble? I'm having such a bizzy life (ho bloody ho) that dates need to be agreed before my diary fills up (no bloody no). It was somewhat left at "mid Feb" and I was hoping that maybe we could ramble and remember MC on his birthday on 15th Feb but alas that falls on a Saturday. Over to you Nerd Founder Members................and let's hope there can be a walk of sorts, one that can accommodate gripey knees and other such ailments? I myself am having a hell of a job just getting my left leg into undies!!! I'm told it is hip. But I don't see anything cool about it!!!

Froggy XXX

The New Year, Lafayette Birthday Ramble

The January 2020 Ramble


Starting at Lewes Station the NERDS:- Froggy, Paco, Matt, Malcolm, Harry, Tony, Dio and Lafayette were joined by the Darksiders:- Ed, Sheila, Jane, Marion and Debbie.

A trip went up Southover street and immediately had a pit stop at The Kings Head. Harry and I had sussed this revamped place out previously just to make sure it was still selling beer. It was. Then along the road to Kingston for lunch at The Juggs.

Lunch wasn't bad. Malcolm turned up late so we ate his starter; then he turned up - ha, ha! I spent a fortune on prosecco for the girlies (and everyone else) but it was nice stuff and I'm not an expert. Then the NERDS all seemed to slide off leaving me to take all the Darksiders to The Depot by the station where we all drank gin. So not a bad ramble - but a bit expensive.

EU membership?

Hello Everyone,
As of today, 6.12.2019 we appear to be out of the EU already, according to the French anyway!!

Regards
BT

December 2019 Christmas Ramble Alternative Arrangements

Hi All,

Froggy has helpfully pointed out a slight flaw in my arrangements. The pub doesn’t actually open until 12 noon - I thought it was 11 AM. This means that with the train arriving at Norman’s Bay station at 11.04 we would be faced with wandering the wilderness without a pint and subject to the vagaries of the English winter climate.

Therefore, again Frog suggested that we stay on the train to Cooden Beach and from there walk the 1.3 miles to the pub, having first sampled a pint at The Cooden Beach Hotel. Seems a good compromise suggestion.

I talked to the staff at The Star Inn and have an agreement to put the meal back to 12.30. However, they point out that there have a large party of 40 also booked for 12.30. Therefore if we can get there nearer to 12.15 than 12.30 it should be better for us.

The usual NERDS flexibility is again called for!

Thanks again Froggy!

Harry

Christmas Ramble 2019 Joining Instructions

Dear All,

For this year’s seasonal bash we will be lunching at The Star Inn at Norman’s Bay on Wednesday 11th December. Train travel is not exactly straightforward but, stay with me, the actual walk is of a reassuringly short duration.

It means that the Seaford lot have to take the 09.53 train to Lewes. Arriving there we have a few minutes before taking the 10.26 to Hamden Park (possibly time for a quick coffee or whatever at The Runaway Café ). At Hamden Park we then take the 10.43 to Normans Bay, arriving there at 11.04. we have a table booked at the pub for 12.15 - so plenty of time for refreshment and relaxation beforehand.


Our return trains are either 14.27 or 15.42.

See you all on the day.

Malcolm -shall we meet at The Runaway Café at about 10 ?

Harry

November 2019 Joining Instructions

Calling all NERDS,

Apologies for the late submission of these joining instructions! This month we walk on THURSDAY 7th . This will be a local ramble - if you live in the Seaford - Newhaven conurbation. So we meet at The Steamworks on Seaford Central station at about 10.45hrs. We plan to stroll along to Denton and lunch at The Flying (not the Laughing) Fish. If the weather is really unpleasant there are other modes of transport available!

See you all on the day
Harry

October 2019 Joining Arrangements

This month’s mini-ramble takes place on Wednesday 16th. At Charlie’s request we are going to reprise the ‘walk’ we did last year to The Laughing Fish in Isfield. If you remember we took an omnibus ride to The Halfway House on the A26 for a pit stop, thence across a couple of fields to The Fish for lunch. A place in which we have previously dined well. Then a different bus back to Lewes.

So, the Seaford lot should take the 10.25 to Lewes (for a change) where I will meet you at the station. We then have plenty of time for a coffee, or whatever, in town before taking the bus. Fingers crossed for fair weather.

Brian - is it true that you will be making the Christmas Ramble on December 11th? Hope you can make it.

Malcolm -how are you?

Cheers

Harry

September 2019 Ramble Information

Hi All,

This month we stroll on TUESDAY 10th. We thought we would revisit one of our favourite haunts - The Star Inn at Normans Bay. The food is plentiful and good value and the location attractive. What more could a NERD want?

Normally we take the train to Cooden Beach, walk along the coast to the pub and then return from Normans Bay station. However, due to the passage of time and the general lack of fitness from some members (particularly all, perhaps, of the Founder Members) I suggest a departure from this. It makes sense to simply alight from the train at Normans bay and walk from there. A sign of the times perhaps.

My reading of The Star online menu suggests that all the mains are £10 and if you eat in the restaurant the starters and desserts are free? Seems too good to be true doesn’t it ? Anyway it would seem a good idea to book a table so I will certainly do that. It would be useful if those attending would confirm to me that they will be there.

Also, when there we can investigate the possibility of booking a table for the NERDS Xmas meal at the same venue. Again the price would seem to be a bargain.

I will be back with you shortly with train times, etc.

Harry

Advance Notice of January 2020 Ramble

Dear NERDS,
I know it's a bit early for a January ramble but time is rushing headlong on and it will soon be 2020.

I plan to do a joint ramble with those very professional walkers, The Darkside, on Friday 3rd January 2020. Please make sure you have the date in your old/new diaries and have recovered from Christmas by then.

Because most of the NERDS are suffering from a variety of age related injuries the ramble will probably be from Lewes to Kingston with lunch at The Juggs - so we all know the way and no-one can get lost.

See you all soon.

Lafayette.

August 2019 Ramble joining instructions

Hi all,


This month we ‘walk’ on THURSDAY 8th. If we still had write-ups this one would probably be called: ‘ The Meet Up with Bronco, Have a Pleasant Lunch and Not Walk Very Far Ramble’ . Yes we are taking the bus to Ringmer and having lunch with Malcolm at The Anchor.

The decision to not walk very far reflects the general state of physical decrepitude of many NERDS, including (perhaps temporarily) your Routemaster. Despite this, I expect we will all have a fun time.

If members of the Seaford community take the 10.25 train to Lewes I will meet you at the station at 10.41. Malcolm will meet you in the pub at about 12 noon?

Once we are gathered together with foaming pints in front of us we will raise a glass to the memory of Mike Clarke aka Curly.

Cheers

Harry

July 2019 Ramble

Paco, Froggy, Mike, The Captain and Lafayette

There was a NERDS meeting last week chez Mike Clarke. He hosted us well with lots of prosecco and food and stuff and then the plan was to walk to Alfriston. Ha, ha; Harry and I both had bad knees and Matthew is now very old so they both went to Alfriston by car. I went in Imogen's car with Paco (also old ) and Imogen's dog, Bandido. Some of the NERDS actually walked - Mike, Froggy, Bish, and Tubb. We all ate in The George at Alfriston - a nice woodeny furnitured pub but expensive for just pub grub. Paco, Imogen, Badido and I had a little walk round Alfriston while waiting for the others to arrive. It's quite interesting to see all the cottages behind the narrow main road.

So much for rambling - not wise in this heat.

Very sadly Mike died on 24.7.2019 just a few days after this ramble.  He will be remembered by all with affection.

Further information

Hi all.

Next walk is on the 18th, which I believe is on a Thursday. We have been kindly invited to partake of stirrup cups at Mike Clarke's place prior to the walk to Alfriston. Mike suggests we get to his about 10am?

See y'all then. I may well be a velo ( Matt look it up!)

Harry

July 2019's Joining Advice

This month we walk on THURSDAY 18th. We have been generously invited by Mike Clarke to partake of pre- ramble refreshments at his house. From there we make our way, perhaps a little unsteadily, to Alfriston for lunch. I may well have to do the actual walk by bike if my knee problems persist.

To change the subject, there has been some interest in an expedition to watch a T20 cricket match at Hove this summer. The Sussex versus Surrey game on Friday July 26th has been identified. It should be an enjoyable local needle match and starts about 7pm. The tickets are £23 each although there may be a service charge on top. If you are DEFINITELY interested in going then let me know and I will arrange tickets.

Cheers

Harry

June 2019 Joining Arrangements

Hi all NERDS


This month we perambulate on Wednesday 5th. This time we revisit an old walk which we had a go at about a year or so ago. Although the actual route …..was problematic.

Basically we take a bus from Churchill Square to Woodingdean, jump off the bus and go straight into The Downs Hotel for lunch. Last time the food was OK, good value pub grub. After lunch we set off across the Downs with the ultimate destination of Rottingdean and from there a bus home.

Some of you may remember what happened last time. Instead of ending up in Rottingdean we ended up in …….Kingston near Lewes! As it is customary now to blame every failure on Brexit I am claiming this excuse!

Anyway, that won’t happen this time. I have done exhaustive research and nothing can possibly go wrong! So let us meet at Starbucks in Churchill Square at 10.30-ish and see what transpires….

Harry

May 2019 Ramble Joining Instructions

This month’s walk will take place on Wednesday 15th, Just for a change, we are going to visit an old favourite pub- The Abergavenny Arms in Rodmell. However, a slightly different route. We are taking The Egrets Way from Lewes, which follows the Ouse .

So, the familiar 9.53 train from Seaford/ Newhaven and I will meet you outside Lewes station. That should get us to the pub at about opening time - 12 noon. Tony has a hospital appointment on the day but will hope to join us at the pub.

Going back is slightly less straightforward for the Newhaven/ Seaford types. I will be taking the very occasional 123 bus back to Lewes at 2.45 hrs. You lot can join me and take the (free) bus back to Lewes railway station then the train home. Unfortunately, the 123 bus service going south only runs at 1.16 or 3.42 - not ideal. Alternatively, you can take the train back from Southease at either 14.06 or 15.06 - obviously allowing plenty of time for the walk to the station.

Hope that is all clear and look forward to seeing all of you on the 15th.


Harry

April's Joining Instructions

Well the NERDS are still going strong, it seems, but I have been out of the nucleus for a time. Harry’s first instructions for the April 2019 ramble are as follows:-

Hi All,

We will go with Charlie’s arrangement for departing on the 9.53 from Seaford next Tuesday the 16th. However, getting the connecting train to Plumpton will get us to our destination too early. Walking to The Half Moon from the station will mean that we will be faced with closed doors as the pub doesn’t open until 12 noon.

Therefore we can kill a little time in Lewes ( I would suggest the Brewers) and then take the 11.21, arriving at 11.29.

Hope this is OK
Harry

However the response from Lafayette is below!

God, not The Brewers again - I'm always in there. Still, it does open at 10 o'clock.

Lafayette.



I look forward to any information on the resulting promenade.