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,

February 2023 Ramble notice

Hi all,

Next month’s walk is set for Wednesday 15th. Locality will be in the Newhaven area and lunch is likely to be at our favourite faux Italian restaurant, La Luna Rosa!

Hope you can all make it!

Harry

The January 2023 Event

We were a lot, there were 5 NERDS - Sandyballs. Bish, Froggy, Paco plus Imogen and Sasha and moi. Then there was Marion , Jane Gavey and Dave Osborne from Gatwick. It was supposed to have been my birthday ramble the week before but train strikes put paid to that,

We met at Lewes and the weather was bright and sunny unlike the shit weather up till this time. S.B. had been requested to do a short ramble along the banks of The Mighty Ouse so we embarked on a somewhat muddy walk only clashing occasionally with a lot of teeny, tiny nursery school kids who seemed intent on jumping in every puddle and rolling in all the mud.

When we had covered at least half a mile we turned for blessed relief to The John Harvey Tavern where some of us drank Christmas Ale and where Laf. met one of his old Coastwatch buddies who seemed to live there.

Then we climbed the crappy hill up into the town to The Rights of Man

where Laf. had recently had an excellent Christmas dinner. The standard of food and drink had been maintained.

Scallops! and panna cotta amongst all the other delights, and the waitress service was very good. 

Then everybody buggered off, I don't know where Imogen and Sasha went - probably shopping. The Gatwick lot went back towards Gatwick and the NERDS went back to their holes.

Everyone seemed to have had a good time and thanks to Sandyballs for taking us somewhere nobody had been before.

Tarra for now.

Laf.

Final January Ramble Arrangements

 

Hello you NERDS,

As you know the next ramble is on Wednesday 11th January.

We shall meet at Newhaven train/bus station at 11 00hrs approx and probably lunch at the Luna Rossa instead of the Hope since Paco is bringing some of his extended family with him.

We shall be accompanied by at least 3 of The Gatwick Lot also, so a big crowd is expected.

See you on the 11th

Lafayette.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL FOR 2023

 

THE 2023 JANUARY RAMBLE ARRANGEMENTS

                                                                     

                                                                  

Dear NERDS. the next ramble will be on Wednesday 11th January - in an attempt to avoid train strike days.

I am hoping to get the Gatwick lot to come with us so please let me know if you are coming so that I can book lunch.

This will be the usual short Lafayette route from Newhaven station to The Hope

with a pitstop at The Ark.

It's not really too far.

Let me know if you're coming.

Lurv.

lafayette.

The 2022 Christmas Ramble (Lunch!)

 

          

It was the day after a rail strike and we weren't sure that the trains would run. Paco was prepared to take us all to Ringmer in his (now only newish) car,

but fortunately there was a train so we were fine.

We were: Paco, The Captain - all done up with NERDS' badges 

                                                                             

of yore and a christmas jumper, Lafayette, Froggy. and Sandyballs who we met in Lewes just as he was sliding into the off licence opposite the station to boost his liquor supply.

We "rambled" all of a hundred yards to The Depot, Lewes's posh caff to sit down out of exhaustion and drink expensive coffees. At least it's warm and comfortable here among all the Lewes women working with their laptops.We took the opportunity to add some of S,B's brandy to our coffee

to get us in the mood for rambling to the bus stop outside Waitrose.

So we got on the bus to Ringmer. Laf insisted on going upstairs - he always travels this way and you see more. and we got to Ringmer where everything was slushy snow. We carefully skated our way to The Anchor

but there was no Bronco there, sadly, as he had had a recent fall and did not want to go out in the snow.
                                                                                   

The Christmas meal was very good. Sandyballs had been there the week before to try it out and was now on his second lot of scallops (as was Laf and The Cap.)

Lots of wine was drunk and the photos this month

are good because they were taken by some old git in the pub who pitied Froggy's feeble attempts to get everyone in the pictures.

                                                                                     

We missed one bus back to Lewes so went back in the pub to drink whisky and console ourselves, We finally managed to get a bus and Laf and S.B. ended up in The Landsdown and got very, very drunk before wandering off into the night.

It was a good ramble and thanks to Sandyballs for organising it all.

Happy Christmas to All.

Lafayette.

Final arrangements for December's 2022 Christmas Ramble

                                                                           

Hi all,

Just a gentle reminder that we eat our Xmas dins on Monday the 12th at The Anchor in Ringmer at 1PM. I have been to the pub to pay the deposits. We will be 5 having the full monty 3 courses and Tony should be joining us later to help finish our unwanted sprouts.

I think in view of the inclement weather about to arrive, it is probably best not to actually do any rambling between Lewes and Ringmer. Probably wandering about a winter landscape lost and covered in mud may well detract from seasonal cheer!

So I suggest the usual 10.25 train from Seaford to Lewes where I will meet you at the station. As usual. Then a coffee ( and possibly clandestine hipflasks) at The Depot.

Followed by the 28 bus to Ringmer for foaming pints and yummy victuals.

I trust all NERDS will join me in a New Year’s resolution to return to gruelling 12 mile Rambles in2023!!

Harry

More Christmas Ramble 2022 arrangements

We live in trying times, don’t we? It seems we will be 5 or possibly 6 at table for the Xmas meal on MONDAY 12th. Malcolm I’m afraid will not be with us. He sustained an ankle injury alighting from the 28 bus at Ringmer. He has chipped a bone in his foot and has to wear a surgical boot! He is also unable to have his eye cataracts operation on 1/12. Sad for him and a loss for us. Tant pis.

Tony originally thought he could not make the Monday but now thinks he may be able to attend for a period but not have the full Xmas meal.

Tony that is fine. Attend whenever you can and we will keep a chair for you. I still have your £10 deposit so just order whatever you want on arrival.

Paco, don’t worry about sending me the 10 quid. Bung me on the day.

Well, hopefully we will make it to the table on the day - unless any more traumatic events occur. Tsunami? End of the World? Plague? another RMT strike?

Christmas Ramble Train problems

I have just heard that the RMT union has announced 4 days of strikes in December including the 13th which is of course our Xmas meal at The Anchor. Bastards! Obviously this means that those living in Seaford and Newhaven will be unable to get to Lewes easily. Off the top of my head we could consider perhaps a 6-seater taxi or the 123 bus from Newhaven but that doesn’t run too frequently.

Alternatively, we could think about trying to switch the date, perhaps to Monday the 12th. If this is OK with individuals it will of course depend upon the pub having a vacancy on that date.
Another option is to cancel the whole thing and try for a date in January?

Please let me know your thoughts. Luckily I have not yet paid the deposit at the pub.

Harry

November's Bus stop Ramble

The other day we did another "bus ramble"

which took us to The Laughing Fish at Isfield.

We were six - Sandyballs, Froggy, The Bish, Lafayette, Paco and Matt.

The weather had been very rainy

and the original idea had been to walk back from the Laf. Fish across the fields to The Halfway House, have a pint there and then get the bus back. However in view of probable saturation of the fields we just got the bus back to Lewes.

First of all, to waste time we went to The Depot

and lounged around on sofas while young virgins

cocked up our orders and brought us drinks. Paco seemed to get a free brandy and get paid for drinking it - Don't ask.

So then we got on the bus - upstairs ,

of course, and went to Isfield. It was a nice ride in the upstairs sun. The landlady was very friendly and gave us separate tabs

each with our own (real) name. 

The beer was Long Man

which we quickly got used to, and the food was huge and of a very high standard. 

Towards the end

we got talking with some even Older Gits

than we were and the mystery of why they had been passing a saw back and forth between themselves was solved. They were a group called The Old Tool Pushers who did even less rambling than the NERDS but who had all been wood turners

and lurved old tools. And why not?

After settling up we once again boarded the bus and some of us ended up in The Lansdown

where we had a quick pint then headed home.

Next ramble is the Christmas one where we go to The anchor again hoping to

see Bronco.