September's short unpopulated ramble 2022

Concerning our last ramble yesterday. Unfortunately the weather was not as we hoped, nor was the attendance one of the most prolific.

We had entered the season of thunderstorms and lightning strikes;

summer was obviously over. We were the same as the last ramble - Paco, Froggy, Sandyballs et moi and met in The Steamworks next to Seaford station.

Paco was first to arrive with his hair looking like that of Albert Einstein,

all sticking up and windswept. Then came Sandyballs drenched to his underpants

having been caught in a storm while going down the hill into Lewes. Froggy and Lafayette made it without any mishap and so we all sat and drank coffee

since it was a reasonably early hour.

Sandy balls said a lot of NERDS had been put off by his saying we might eat at one of the many Italian style restaurants in Seaford. so wotsa da problem? Some NERDS obviously got no taste!

We got bored with coffee so adjourned to the Wellington for a beer, Lotsa different beers here!,

Sandyballs seemed to spend most of the time on the phone to the CEO of Shell.

Either about his on going energy dispute or else he was being offered a job.

Then we got lost a bit in Seaford but ended up at the Mediterranea

in High St. The maitre de was very accommodating and most of us had superb fillet steaks covered in yummy cheese sauce.

(And they talk about heart attack breakfasts, not lunches). Lots of chianti

was drunk and Froggy entertained us with anecdotes about his Aunty Gladys (again),

Then we walked up Broad St rather quickly because it threatened to rain, and then we diasporised.

So another short, short ramble, but sadly the weather and old age

were once more against us.

New date for September 2022 Ramble

Hi,

This month we ‘ramble’ on THURSDAY 8th. This will be a Home Game for the Seafordites as we are just going along the promenade for a stroll probably lunching at one of the faux Italian eateries in the town. Failing that, some chips on the seafront or a bag of Cheese and Onion crisps at The Dog and Duck. I will leave that decision to one of the locals.

OK. Meet at The Steamworks at about 10.45?

Never let it be said that the NERDS don’t visit some exotic locations !

Harry

Advanced warning of September 2022 Ramble and sad news

Hi all,

Charlie has just passed on the news that Ian Jordan has unfortunately died. Not many details. Apparently he has been receiving palliative care for a while and eventually succumbed to pneumonia.

Anyway, we will raise a glass to his memory on the next Ramble. I am thinking about Wednesday Sept. 7th. Could be another day around that date, let us be flexible as always.

No idea of the location yet….

Harry

The "Ramble" of August 2022

                                                        The August 2022 “Ramble”

The heat drove most people inside until our ramble of the 17th,

when we had planned to travel to Berwick for an aperitif then proceed to The Cricketers

for lunch.

However the luck of the NERDS - usual on a Wednesday, did not hold out. 

Many people could not come so Lafayette

met Froggy

on the train and we went to Lewes where we teamed up with Sandyballs.

Laf had been on at Paco to attend but he was so in love with his new big black car ( a Hyundai? - they all look the same)

that he couldn't bear the idea of walking away from it so decided to drive to the Berwick Inn instead.

This was fortunate for the other NERDS since it started to pour with rain the moment they got off the train.
One pint turned into two, the rain kept hammering on the roof and the NERDS enthusiasm for going outside and walking kept diminishing. Finally an executive decision was made to share Paco's Lovelymobile and keep dry going to the Cricketers.

We got there although there were a few dodgy moments with child locks which might have left Laf incarcerated in the back with Froggy. Fortunately Laf crashed his way out and freed Froggy. The others had raced ahead to avoid the rain.

It was packed inside the Cricketers because (obviously ) nobody wanted to sit outside, The hostess and her (student) helpers served three of us with Steak and Ale pies

(very good) and the creme caramel

with a biscuit,

We raced outside again towards the car, to avoid the appalling tempest which was cruelly preventing us from rambling back to The Berwick. Paco stroked his black treasure and car whispered it into taking us up to the pub. We sat around and drank coffee and stuff until Sandyballs had to run for his train. He had to get back to take his washing in

which he had completely forgotten about. You always put out washing when it's going to rain. It's a law of The Universe.

Anyway after that Paco took both Laf and Froggy home - which was nice - and so nobody managed to actually walk anywhere cos it was so wet, but we'd all had a GOOD TIME. Especially the car. So thanks to Paco

for all his consideration.

Another ramble next month - perhaps. But only if it's raining, otherwise we might have to walk.

August 2022 Ramble joining arrangements

Apologies for the late submission of theses Joining Instructions! This month we ramble on Wednesday 17th. I thought we would revisit an old favourite walk - the short leisurely stroll from Berwick Station to The Cricketers for lunch. Not forgetting the obligatory pit stop at The Berwick Inn, of course.

So the usual 10.25 train from Seaford Central to Lewes. A quick change there should get us to Berwick for 10.58. I will be booking our table at The Cricketers for 12.30. If anybody intends to dispense with the actual walking and will be driving direct to the pub - fine, but please let me know. Also if you are not coming at all, please inform.

See you on the day. Don’t forget the Factor 50, a hat and water etc.

Charlie - what about Steve Brown?

Harry

2022 July' Ramble events

Lafayette met only Froggy off the train at Newhaven, No Bish, no Paco, No Matt, No Captain. No Sandyballs WTF?

Sandyballs turned out to be in The Sidings already.

This is Newhaven's new trendy bistro situated next to the river, It was warm and sunny so the three

of us had a trendy cup of coffee,

Then began the ramble proper.

We three NERDS went over the bridge and down the back of Elphick Road. Laf had decided not to ramble far because of the heat so headed for The Jolly Boatman

which looked ominously dark and closed looking. It was. Probably not open till 12 or something.

So, heading for The Ark (it was that sort of ramble) Laf came across a very sober ex drunk who lived just up the road from The Boatman. " It closed about a year ago," he said sadly "But I've saved a lot of money." he added. Well Whoopee!

The Ark it was then. The three thirsty NERDS staggered through the concrete heat and found The Ark was thriving - not closed, not abandoned and selling alcohol.

Quel Paradis! The NERDS sat outside in the sun and drank and drank.

Laf got a phone call from Matt who claimed to have driven to La Luna Rossa with his girlfriend

and was waiting for us, More lies! We uprooted ourselves and went to the Luna Rossa

where we met Paco who had also driven there (sans girlfriend). 

We all had a good meal and drank some excellent Italian wine, Then - what else? we rambled in Paco's car back to The Ark and sat in the shade in the back garden and drank some more, Good ramble this,

Eventually Sandyballs got bored with the scintillating conversation and went home, Matt had gone already with his fictitious girlfriend, Paco gave Froggy a lift back to Seaford and Laf was left to reflect on a pretty rambleless ramble where most NERDS seemed to prefer driving to walking. They all like drinking, so that was all right



Lafayette.

July Ramble arrangements

Hello Sandyballs,

Sorry you couldn't make the original ramble date but thanks for re arranging for 21st July.
I think we now have a quorum of those who can make it - you, me, Matt, Froggy and possibly Paco, so I shall book lunch at the Luna Rossa for 13 00 hrs.
Bye, bye.
Lafayette.

July Ramble new date

Hi,

I have had a few replies to my message about the date change for the Ramble. Therefore let us have a bash at switching to Thursday 21st. We have Lafayette as Guest Routemaster. He will be in touch with the Joining Instructions!

Cheers
Sandyballs

July 2022 Ramble expectation

Dear NERDS,

The next ramble is on Wednesday 20th July when we shall explore the environs of Newhaven and have lunch at La Luna Rossa,

an Italian establishment known to many of us,

Can you please let me know if you will be coming so that I can make culinary arrangements accordingly.

See you soon,

Laf.🙋

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.