January 2025 Ramble Arrangements

Hi all.

A belated Xmas greeting to everyone and a Happy New Year to all NERDS, NERD partners, Nerdlings, grand- Nerdlings and possibly great- grand Nerdlings (Brian?}

Anyway the date for our January non-ramble will be Wednesday 15th. A home game for those of a Seaford persuasion. Meet at the Steamworks

(NERDS approved) at the usual time. Lunch will be at the Pablo Picasso.

I will probably book a table so please let me know if you are NOT going to be there.

Must go now as I am off to have a fitting for a new pair of heavy-duty rambling boots! 

Regards
Harry

THE 2024 CHRISTMAS EXCURSION

 

We were Sandyballs,

Laf,

Froggo,

Paco,

The Bish,

Matt,

and the Admiral.

Thanks to SB who had to change the venue from the Laughing Fish

because of slowness and indifference on the part of the pub we were saved a shitty ramble across fields under a gloomy sky and a drizzly weather.

We met at Lewes and picked up SB then "rambled" round to The Gardeners

which was not open yet (it being before 11 00hrs). Laf sat outside an antique shop in Cliffe High St salivating at all the treasures within until the pub opened.

When the barmaid had finally sorted out the beer pumps the NERDS began drinking the Harvey's Old - a good aperitif,

and then had another one for luck.

Then we had to run back to the bus station to get the bus which although we allegedly had five minutes in hand, left as soon as we were on board - Whew!

We decanted at the end of Ringmer and made our way to The Anchor

where we met the Admiral who had sailed in in his flash BMW.

There was a large raucous group inside which consisted of the Fire Service one of whom was retiring. However the NERDS

were well seated and catered for

with the Christmas menu being excellent.

SB spent his time swapping his sprouts for everyone else's roast potatoes. The waitresses

were young and nubile,

as they should be and all went well.

When we broke up the Admiral took Bish, Matt and Laf back in his lovely car and the rest of the hoi polloi followed by bus.

The Anchor had been a good choice and thanks to SB for his organising.

All for now. Merry Christmas to all NERDS and their wives and see you back in 2025.

Luv from Lafayette.

NEW CHRISTMAS RAMBLE 2024 ARRANGEMENTS

 

Dear NERDS,

Sorry about this but I am going to be cancelling our meal at The Laughing Fish. The problem is that the pub has new owners and they seem somewhat disorganised at present. They have no website at the moment and although they promised to phone me to confirm my booking, I have received no call from them. They are not doing food today and of course our tentative booking was for next Tuesday. The signs were not good.

Nil desperandum. I have booked an alternative meal at The Anchor Inn in Ringmer.

This pub is well known to me and the food is usually good. They are well organised and reliable. It is also the late Malcolm Senior's pub of choice, of course. Also it is actually easier to get to by bus than The Laughing Fish - a bus every half hour rather that every 1-2 hours.

Can you all study the Xmas Menu on the pub website and PLEASE let me know your choices ASAP.

The usual 10.25 train from Seaford then. Probably a pint at the Gardeners in Lewes and a bus at about 12 noon.

Sorry about this late change of plan. The usual NERDS flexibility!

Harry.

Christmas 2024 Changes for the venue!

Dear all,

There have been some problems with the location for this year's Xmas meal. The Pablo Picasso could not accommodate us as they have a large group booked that day. So I have booked at The Laughing Fish which has been popular with NERDS for a few years now. There are a few complications. Firstly they are under new ownership so we are going to have to hope and trust that the quality is as good as before, Secondly their website has been hacked by some Indonesian outfit so I have made a provisional telephone booking. The pub hopes that an alternative website will be in place by the end of the week.

Just to remind you that the date is TUESDAY 10th. I have booked a meal for about 12.30 hrs. Hopefully we can do the usual and take a bus to The Halfway House for a pint then walk across the fields to The Fish. I have yet to work out the timings. More details to follow of course.

I trust that the Menu reaches you OK. Please find attachment? Hope I pressed the right buttons!

Harry

November 2024 Ramble

 

Well, the day before, the weather was shitty

and cold, and the day after we had sleet, but the day of the ramble we had the luck of the NERDS and the weather was very pleasant and sunny.

Just right for a winter get-together.

Laf and Sandyballs met at Newhaven bus station but there was no sign of Froggy and Matt. The Bish had phoned in sick, and Paco was on his holidays exploring the hospitals of Spain again.

Laf and S.B. waited and waited. Finally a 12A bus arrived with Les Autres and a tale of just missing the previous bus by their fingernails. Froggy had heard of an art exhibition nearby

where Mrs Froggy was exhibiting a couple of paintings so we decided to explore. The exhibition was being held on the East bank of the Mighty Ouse near a cafe (Mamouche)

in an area of Newhaven that Laf had never visited before. How bizarre.

Anyway the exhibition was being held in a large, airy, light building which had previously been part of a tech. college next to the old Customs Hall. With a bit of luck Froggy may have taken some photos of the paintings there for you , Brian. Froggy identified some of his wife's masterpieces and we all agreed they were very nice.

Time was now pressing so Laf reverted to his Plan C which involved walking over The bridge into NHN and hurrying down to The Ark

for a crafty aperitif

inside rather than outside (because it was cold) watching for the arrival of the ferry as in previous times.

After this we had a pleasant walk along the quay to La Luna Rossa

for lunch. Here Laf was greeted by his favourite waiter Sean

and his favourite owner, Rosario, who was waiting for him with a glass of wine already poured (sounds like Phiby's ideal situation).

The meal was up to its usual standard.

Matt was accosted by a strange female who was quite attractive although old, and quite unlike the usual females who throw themselves at Matt. Turned out to be a Rosemary, one of Brian Atrill's cast-offs, so good luck there, Matt.

After that we all cleared off for a pleasant walk back up the quay and homeward bound. Because of his new sex appeal and charisma Matt has been chosen to book the NERDS Christmas ramble meal in Seaford at Picassos on December 10th. Absent NERDS please note the date.

All for now.
Lafayette.

November 2024 Ramble Arrangements

Dear NERDS,

Joining Instructions for next Wednesday 20th November are as follows:

We meet at Newhaven bus station at about 11 15hrs whereupon there will be a short walk round the town with a pit stop somewhere, followed by lunch at that famous restaurant La Luna Rossa.

Anybody coming who has not yet told me, please reply as the restaurant will need numbers.

Hasta la vista

Lafayette.

2024 Christmas advance arrangements

 

Hello NERDS

Sorry but I am having to change the date of the Christmas 'Ramble' - originally scheduled for 3rd of December. How about TUESDAY 10th?
{ Would appreciate if you would let me know if that is OK.)  Details, as ever, to follow,
Don't forget the Newhaven gig on Wednesday October 20th. Lafayette will be providing joining instructions.
Cheers
Harry

November's Ramble arrangements

Dear NERDS,

The date for the next "ramble" will be Wednesday 20th November and will consist of a stroll around Newhaven and lunch probably at the Luna Rossa.

Additionally, the date for the Christmas ramble has been set for Tuesday, 3rd December, the venue yet to be decided.

Can you please let me know your availability for both dates as restaurant bookings will have to be made.

Nierdos Para Siempre!

Lafayette.

2024 October's Ramble

Due to the absence of one of the usual NERDs the present ramble was not so noisy as usual. In fact it was very strange how peaceful it seemed at times.

Lafayette and the Admiral met up at NHN station and wondered where everyone else had disappeared to. Where was the Bish and Matt, had they died of old age or just forgotten the date?

Anyway we were met at Lewes by Sandyballs who too was expecting a bigger quorum but we realised that Matt was off counting his money again and that Paco would be meeting us at the pub. Accordingly S.B. led the two of us on to the Depot where we indulged in an expensive coffee and admired the surroundings of Lewes's poshest cinema.

The weather outside was a bit gloomy but that didn't matter as we didn't intend to ramble far. However we made it to The Gardeners where we had a pint of Old and discussed the Queen's visit to Harvey's Brewery which she had made one day when she happened to be thirsty.

Now we had to climb up that bloody hill to get to The Rights of Man for lunch. Laf was feeling a bit crook after a recent bout of monkey pox so elected to take the bus. Unfortunately he had left his Old Gits' Bus pass behind so he had to smile sweetly at the driver who let him on as he was only going for one stop.

We got to The Rights and there met Paco who had come from Gatwick (long story), the Bish who had been shopping in town and Dave Hack, who had recently joined the NERDS because he had heard how amazing and charismatic we all were. What was really good though was that The Rights was selling Harvey's Bonfire Boy (since it was Halloween soon) a rare treat which is rarely produced, and only around this time of year.

The food was good (this is Laf's favourite Lewes pub) and the Bonfire Boy kept coming until Paco went on to the Malbec and had to get Laf to finish it as he had to dash off to rescue his car from the traffic wardens. Hackers told us lots of stories about people we could all barely remember from TN3, and the Bish and the Admiral partied like mad.

Pity the bog was on the top floor - all those stairs! Has no-one any pity for people with bad knees? Then we returned to the station where S.B.came running after Laf to give him the latest instalment of Mrs. Sandyballs' excellent plum jam.

Laf made it back to NHN again but sadly found he was in need of his bus pass again. Back to the "I'm a poor Old Git with a bad memory" routine and he blagged a second free journey back home.

So, a pleasant "day out" and surprisingly The NERDS seem to visit as many pubs as when they actually go rambling. ---- It had been strangely much quieter than usual though.......

Laf.

No photos, I'm afraid - we all forgot.

Ramble details for 30.10.2024

Hi all,
I have booked a table at The Rights of Man in Lewes for Wednesday at 12.30. I have booked for 6 but I am not sure how many we will be at table because some of you have not confirmed whether you will be coming or not. We will see who turns up and sort it out on the day. Come and spend your money before Rachel Reeves grabs it all!

See you at Lewes station at the usual time.

Cheers
Harry

Final details of October's Ramble 2024

Hi,

This month we meet on Wednesday 30th. Location will be Lewes. I have booked a table at The Rights of Man for 12.30. No Froggy - he is on football watching duty. However we will have Mike T as guest and also Dave Hack as special guest, Should be riotous fun,
The usual 10.24 from Seaford. I will be your reception committee at Lewes station. Coffee , a pint perhaps then the usual climb up School Hill to our lunch destination. Perhaps a bus up the hill, Paco?
Charlie, can you see if Steve is available?
Harry

October's Ramble arrangements 2024

October is the treasurer of the year,
And all the months pay bounty to her store;
The fields and orchards still their tribute bear,
And fill her brimming coffers more and more.
But she, with youthful lavishness,
Spends all her wealth in gaudy dress,
And decks herself in garments bold
Of scarlet, purple, red, and gold.
She heedeth not how swift the hours fly,
But smiles and sings her happy life along;
She only sees above a shining sky;
She only hears the breezes' voice in song.
Her garments trail the woodlands through,
And gather pearls of early dew
That sparkle, till the roguish Sun
Creeps up and steals them every one.
But what cares she that jewels should be lost,
When all of Nature's bounteous wealth is hers?
Though princely fortunes may have been their cost,
Not one regret her calm demeanor stirs.
Whole-hearted, happy, careless, free,
She lives her life out joyously,
Nor cares when Frost talks o'er her way
And turns her auburn locks to gray.

Hi,
This month, under the rules of the new triangular scheme of NERDS meetings, we will once again visit the historic town of Lewes. The date will be Wednesday 30th. Probably have a pint somewhere and then lunch in The Rights of Man. I will probably book a table so it will help if you let me know if you will be attending or not. It tends to get busy in there.
See you then, hopefully.
Harry

2024 September's Ramble events

The NERDS met up at The Steamworks in Seaford - at least Lafayette, Froggy and Sandyballs

did. Laf. got a panicky call from Paco whose alarm

had failed to go off and was worried we would be going somewhere from the Steamworks and leaving him behind. ( Ferries, Newhaven, not quite making it, remember?)

Anyway, no chance, we hadn't even started properly drinking by that time; so we started doing that and expected to see Paco in his pyjamas and dressing

gown in due course. Hooray! he turned up at last.

Pints were consumed,

Paco, Frog and S.B. talked about football while a bored Laf picked his nose and filed his nails.

Froggy related his latest tragedy of losing his bank card and we all blamed Shirley Deans for having stolen it the other night to fund her goodbye do.

Eventually the noise level levelled out and we decided to try the new faux italian restaurant miles away in the centre of Seaford. Someone must have been there to recommend the Pablo Picasso

(named after the famous italian housepainter) but nobody could remember who, so we went in anyway.

It was spacious, light, welcoming, warm and with a very extensive menu.

We all found the Malbec of excellent quality and drank a lot of it.

The food was really good too and there appeared to be at least six identically dressed waitresses available at our beck and call. God knows how Froggy

paid for his meal without his bank card but he did. Maybe he got a loan off Shirley or something.

So this new Salvador Dali place, where Barclays bank used to be in Seaford was rated as NERDS approved for just about everything. We may even go back there and see if Santa Claus does a Christmas dinner later in the year.

All for now. Enjoy your hols, Brian, and come back in one piece.

Lafayette.