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.

2022 Ramble in January Joining Instructions

Dear NERDS,




For those attending the ramble on January 4th joining instructions are as follows:

Seaford lot get the train at 10 25hrs arriving in Lewes at 10 41hrs to pick up Sandyballs.

Make sure you have already got your ticket (remember Paco's problem last time) because the train to Berwick leaves at 10 47hrs ie. we have only 6 mins and no time to visit The Runaway.

Arriving at Berwick at 10 58hrs

we thereafter loll about in The Berwick Inn for a while and subsequently make our way to The Cricketers 

for lunch at 13 00hrs.

What can possibly go wrong? A Happy New Year to you all.

Lafayette.

2022 Ramble in January

 

Dear NERDS,


I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and are now recovered. 

The next ramble will be on Tuesday January 4th which coincides with my being 75 - I know, I know, no applause needed.

Provided that we are still allowed to mingle on this historic date, we shall go to Berwick for a snifter and then on to The Cricketers for lunch.

Firm joining instructions will appear in due course.

Love.
Lafayette.
P.S. Keep praying for Paco.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

 Happy Christmas to all our readers.

BT

The Christmas Ramble 2021

 

It was a lovely day on the 8th December 2021with the weather  bright and crisp, and the NERDS all travelled to Lewes to meet Sandyballs. The Bish had gut rot

from too much pre Christmas indulgence, Paco was in werewolf mode having failed to find his razor Laf was a bit tired as usual and Froggy

was....Froggy.

S. B. was late but met us in the cafe opposite The Gardeners (handy!)

where all the Lewes Yummy Mummys congregate to drink their lattes and eat their vegan sandwiches. Paco had a mulled wine with a flake

in it which he found was actually a cinnamon stick - don't chew this!

It seemed a shame to bypass the Gardeners

so we didn't. A kind man gave up his table for us so we could spread out and drink our pints.

Off then round the corner to get the bus to The Halfway House

where we woke up the landlady as usual this time of year and had a pint of Old while sitting round a round table. Froggy and Paco drank rum

.

After this over the fields, a very pleasant short walk although somewhat wet underfoot (luckily S.B.. had his wellies on) to the Laughing Fish where we met The Captain

who generously bought us all a drink.

                                                                                     

Then we had a good Christmas dinner with lots of Rioja and Malbec. We were stuffed.

Luckily we were near a bus stop so got the bus back to Lewes.

S.B. dropped off at home and the rest of us went to the station where Froggy gave us his Christmas gift of ten minutes silence during the train journey. What bliss!


Lafayette.

Christmas Ramble 2021 joining instructions

Hi all,

We walk (a bit) on Wednesday December 8th. Lunch will be celebrated at The Laughing Fish in Isfield with a pit-stop at The halfway House when we step off the bus.

If the Seaford lot take the 10.25 train I will meet you at Lewes station. There will be time for refreshment in the Cliffe prior to taking the bus. This could be at the posh coffee shop, full of Lewes Yummy Mummies or, alternatively, at The Gardeners Arms full of old gits. Take your choice.

See you on the day

Harry

Good news (especially for Froggy) - we will not have an odd number for the meal on December 8th. We will be 6 at table as Mike T

has agreed to join us! I have to confirm the choices later on this week so I will need the menu choices from Mike and Paco in a day or so.

I am also going to pay the deposit of £10 each so on the day I would be obliged for a crisp tenner from all of you. Unfortunately I do not have one of those tap cash machines yet!

More info on train and bus times to follow.

Harry

Christmas Ramble Arrangements 2021

Anyway, to talk of the Christmas Ramble. It has been agreed that we reprise the lunch we had before at The Laughing Fish in Isfield. Along the same lines - train to Lewes, bus to the Halfway House for a pint, then a short walk across the fields to Isfield.The date is Wednesday the 8th.

The only slight problem is that the previous long-term landlords have retired and a new (younger) couple have taken over. To sort this out Charlie and I (accompanied by Mrs. Sandyballs) visited there recently for lunch. Lunch was good and the quality of the grub was fine. The pub hopes to be offering a Christmas Lunch but has not yet finalised the menu. We have made a booking anyway for the 8th and I will check back with them in a couple of days.

In the meantime I would be grateful if you could confirm that you are able to attend -or not.

Malcolm - I hope you can join us. Taxi job?

Harry

The November 2021 Ramble

Today's ramble started in Newhaven where Laf, Matt, and Sandyballs all met up with Froggy at the station. The latter had decided to walk all the way from his home to Newhaven, and arrived all sweaty and in a terrible strop

about something or other about which even he was not sure.

Laf took everyone to the Sidings,

the new, trendy Newhaven cafeteria and bistro which unfortunately turned out to be closed. Bummer! so we then rolled out Plan B and went to the Newhaven Coffee House

at the top of Newhaven High Street (which was open). Here we lounged around for a while watching Matt as he spilled tea all over the table.

Thereafter we did the rambling bit through NHN and towards the river in the direction

of Piddinghoe but not that far. The route meandered through some bushy, semi rural parts which were quite pleasant and mostly public free. The weather was mild and cloudy.

Shortly after we pitched up at one of Laf's favourite pubs of yesteryear, The Jolly Boatman.

This turned out to be ideal for everyone - there was no draught beer, we had to drink bottled stuff.

SB wanted Guinness but the Guinness was off,

and after a visit to the toilet there was no paper to wipe your hands. BUT in mitigation it was a very friendly pub and atmosphere goes a long way to creating a fun time.

Titch had rung Laf to say he was awaiting our pleasure down the road at The Ark

so we went that way in the hope that the Bish might treat us all. Not likely, but with time not being on our side we hurried off to the Luna Rossa

for lunch.

Rosario was pleased to see Laf

who spends a considerable amount of time , (and money!) in this place. The food and drink were excellent and the service was very good.

NERDS don't often go to restaurants because they're usually too classy for us but this one managed to put up with our engaging presence.

Afterwards we made a trip to The Ark for a pint of Harveys

and because it was on the way home for all of us. Froggy decided not to walk back this time but to get the bus, and Laf nonched back up the road to Lavender Lodge.

Next ramble is the Christmas one which may be to The Laughing Fish - we'll have to see......

Love to you All.

Lafayette.