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.