February's 2024 Ramble

Yes. it was wet and ultimate very windy!.

Seaford station ticket kiosk was closed. So usual old git struggles to work out R/T

to Cooksbridge. Train delayed by 6 mins. Thinking about a kraken in Steamworks

when El Almirante appeared looking decidedly wet and bedraggled,

quickly followed



by the Bish,

with tales of woe about passport and the entire contents of his fridge theft

from outta Hilary's bag in Lisbon. Their trip to Cabo Verde was consequently cut short.

Delayed train at Newhaven took on board Steve and we 4 met Harry on platform 2

as arranged. Stepping out at Cooksbridge into light but insistent rain.

Timed the

walk along the noisy road to 12 minutes to the Rainbow. [That is 5 miles per hour!]. Somehow I don't think

that this is anywhere near a mile (though it felt like it in days of yore).

So, table for 5 in the backroom together with another group of 13 at another table. Noisy

enough to out-shout usual Nerds volumes but not enough to be in the face as was the

last lot next to us in the Rights of Man for Charlie's 77th birthday ramble. All plumped for the carvery.


No wine, only Harveys and Long Man. And no dessert. Quick walk back and thence to Lewes.

Parted from Harry, who had grandad driving duties

as none of his family cared about the

fact that he was on a ramble, and as such the sacred "allowed all one could drink and excused

of all duties" adage went truly out the window! Not that Harry or any of us seemed to care anymore.

Missed Charlie and Paco and Matt. And had they came, we would have had the maximum attendance

of modern day Nerds, at 8. The cords have a similar maximum number, so we must count our blessings

for such modest maximum turnouts and not worry too much when the average attendance dips to 3/4.

Sadly Brian, I never once thought to take any pics. It wasn't the kind of ramble to encourage it. Sorry!

Froggy

Tomorrow's final line up and arrangements.

Hi,

We meet tomorrow, Wednesday, to visit The Rainbow Pub at Cooksbridge. I have been informed that both Charlie and Paco have reported sick with (Man) flu. Fear not, Matt is going to attend, albeit by car and The Admiral has promised to be there as well. With Tony and, hopefully Steve we should be 5 or 6 at table.

There is a very good chance of rain tomorrow so wear something sensible or take a brolly!

Cheers
Harry

February's Ramble arrangements

Hi,



First of all, very sorry to hear about Paco. Hope for a speedy recovery and a safe return to Blighty. Via a luxury hotel suite with hot tub perhaps! Paco – stay away from the Canary Islands!

Anyway, this month we meet on Wednesday 21st. A gentle stroll to The Rainbow

in Cooksbridge beckons. We will be enjoying the carvery which was excellent last time. I have booked for 5 or 6 as I don’t know how many we will be at table. Steve hopefully will be joining us.

I’m not sure if Matt will be driving or taking the train but I have booked the meal for 12.45. Those arriving by train should take the 11.24 from Seaford. I will meet you on Platform 2 at Lewes station.

Cheers

Harry

Happy Chinese New Year 2024

 

Malcolm's Wake

 

                                                                   Malcolm (Bronco)

Yesterday we waked Bronco although it was anything but woke. He had sadly died on January 5th and had been cremated by Maria a day or so ago.
The Bish alerted the NERDS to the wake which was to be held at Malcolm's favourite (and nearest) pub, The Anchor at Ringmer.
Lafayette got on the phone and managed to round up Steve Gorilla Brown, Colin MBE Crowe, and Roger and Ed Coombe from The Darkside ( a minor rambling group). Surprisingly they all managed to make it (one with only a couple of hours notice).
The grand meeting took place at Lewes station where Lafayette, Paco and Froggy met Les Autres and were then bundled off quickly to Waitrose to get the 28 bus.
With five minutes to spare we got the bus and Laf. telephoned Sandyballs so that he could be picked up at the end of his road.
Getting a bunch of NERDS and Les Autres into the same location from disparate places is a logistical nightmare but finally we arrived at The Anchor just as things were starting to kick off. Apparently the whole pub had been reserved for this special occasion and there were lots of people we didn't know there who had come to celebrate Bronco. Maria was not there, however, even though she must have paid for it all.
The NERDS et Les Autres grabbed some tables by the fire and got served drinks by a jolly waitress. Then more drinks, then more drinks. The waitress service was pretty impeccable and in addition there was a hefty brandy ration doled out to everyone so that we could drink to Bronco's memory.
Then we had more drinks and laid into the free sausage rolls and sandwiches and took lots of photos of each other so that we could remember who we were. At one point a small delegation arrived from Newhaven Port. There was Shirley and another nice girl plus Can of Beans and somebody else called Simon. It was all very jolly which is what a proper wake should be.
Finally someone thought we ought to pay for the vast number of drinks we'd had and then, since we were probably in the middle of Storm Zebedee and there was a bus to catch which only turned up once a week, we wound it all up and departed.
Lafayette has vague memories of leading everyone into The Lansdown Arms but after that things got a bit misty.
It had been a good wake with lots of people there all of which testified to Bronco's popularity and in his favourite pub too. We shall probably all remember him for different reasons but especially for his good nature and bawdy humour; he was the Rabelais of The NERDS.
All for now.
Lafayette,

Rest in Peace Malcolm (Bronco)

Very sad news about Malcolm 

- a one time NERD, don't forget. There are so few of us left now.......

I have been in touch with Charlie and he and I will be attending the wake at the Anchor in Ringmer on Tuesday. Charlie will be getting the 2.00 PM train from Newhaven and I will meet him at the station and taking the 28 bus from Waitrose. I think Tony is going as well. Anybody from the dwindling band of NERDS is welcome to join us.

Regards

Harry

February 2024 Ramble initial arrangements

 

Hi. Shall we set a date for the February Ramble? I'm thinking about Wednesday 21st. Perhaps a short stroll to The Rainbow at Cooksbridge for the Carvery?

Any probs let me know.

Cheers

Harry

Seems alright to me (famous quote).

Charlie.

January 2024 Birthday Ramble

 

It was Lafayette's 77th birthday, the only time when for a short period he was two years older than Sandyballs,

 There was to be a cast of thousands - well twelve since it was a special occasion. There were, representing the NERDS: Sandyballs, Paco, Froggy, Dio and Imogen (minus dog) plus Moi. Then there were, representing The Darksiders: Marion, Jane, Debbie, Roger, Ed and Peter Thompson.

The NERDS waited at 12 at Lewes for the Gatwick lot who were wasting time sitting about in the Runaway cafe. However Laf rounded everyone up and passed the baton to Sandyballs

who had organised the brief walk. The weather looked ominous, it was warmish but threatening heavy rain so we all set off past the Lewes Football Club and down in the direction of the Town Dump.

After about half a mile Laf called a halt so that he could have a brief rest (bad legs).

 By now we were near to The Mighty Ouse which was showing signs of raindrops beginning to fall. 

We hurried on. Lafayette had another brief calvados stop thanks to the kind attentions of Ed who knew when to oil the wheels. There was a brief photo stop by the river where we admired the back of the posh flats near Harvey's Brewery Bridge.

At this point it started to rain like hell so we all legged it fast for The John Harvey Tavern, aka the
BrewerTap.

There were lots of pints of Old ordered and we all managed to cram into the back room for our pitstop. Imogen got bored and went to the Harveys shop where she bought all next year's Christmas cards and a bottle of cider. (Another NERDS' alchy.....)

After one or two pints and because it was nearly time for lunch Laf. whipped everyone up and out into the
now pissing down rain with the prospect of scampering up the length of School Hill to get to the pub.

The stars were aligned for Lafayette who got to the bottom of the hill with Paco and spotted a number 28 bus

which obligingly took them both one stop to the Rights of Man.

There we met Dio who had been keeping a bar stool warm and had had the sense to bypass the walk and go straight to the pub. Marion was startled to see Laf and Paco ahead of us in the pub since they had definitely been behind her at one stage. Nobody mentioned buses.

We settled in and Laf got some prosecco going which made everyone feel in the mood.. Then the rest of the festivities began. As usual the food in the R of M was magnificent, although pricey. But there again What the Hell...... There were scallops and pheasant and beefy things and panna cotta and lots of red wine and coffee and illicit calvados and it was a real swinging party.

Finally we all poured outside about two hours later when fortunately the rain had more or less stopped and Laf led a bunch of hard cores down to the Depot where more coffee cognacs were drunk. The Gatwick lot made for the trains.... hope they got home because......Dio returned with Imogen from the station to say most trains were not running because of flooding on the line. However, Froggy and Paco took a dry train to Eastbourne and a number 12 bus back to Seaford, and Dio, Laf and Imogen took an expensive taxi back to Newhaven and Seaford so the day did not end in total disaster.

It had been eventful and thanks to Sandyballs for organising the "ramble" pity he had to leave the pub early to attend to familial duties but I expect he managed to get home ok.

Thanks to all those who came and made it exciting. Hope they all got home as well.

Lafayette.

(Bowles Club)

A  happy new year to all our readers.

BT

 

January 2024 Ramble arrangements

Dear NERDS,

As you know the next ramble will be on Thursday January 4th where we shall join with the Gatwick lot for a stroll around Lewes. There will be a short pit stop at The John Harvey Tavern and lunch at The Rights of Man.

Seaford NERDS please get the 11 24 hrs train and pick up Lafayette and Gorilla Brown at Newhaven and then Sandyballs at Lewes.

Let's hope the weather is a bit less windy than this week and I look forward to seeing you all next Thursday the 4th.

Lafayette.

The 2023 Christmas Ramble

 

We met later than planned. We were SB. Paco. The Bish, Froggy, Matt and moi. The Bish had been writing his Christmas cards

in the pub so that he could distribute them by hand and so save money on stamps.

The weather was dull and shitty

but not raining like the previous day when Lafayette had had to trek round the life ring course in atrocious conditions to do his civic duty. The NERDS

wandered through Lewes until we came to The Gardeners

where we settled and drank Harvey's Old and looked at some old photos Paco had brought and in which we, and all our wives, looked very young.

Then we upped and walked round the corner to get the correct bus to go to Isfield. (Not the 29 which would have taken us to the closed Halfway House).

The Laughing Fish was very bright and welcoming. There was a nice fire and our table was decorated with a load of Christmas stuff

- tinsel, crackers, poppers etc.

We set to drinking the Rioja and the Malbec

and enjoying the pigeon breasts, black pudding and turkey amongst other delicacies.

This was followed by Christmas pud for some and a cheese board for others with more Malbec and Rioja.

Then coffees with cheeky infusions of clandestine brandy supplied by Sandyballs.

Eventually we paid our bills and went outside to wait in the bus shelter for the bus home.

There was an old lady waiting there who was lucky enough to be the recipient of NERDS' witty jokes

but she seemed to be glad of the company.

In Lewes most of the NERDS seemed to disappear in the direction of the station leaving only Sandyballs and Lafayette to go to The Lansdown and plot revolution and world dominance while drinking beer and Jamesons. A very good afternoon indeed!

Christmas Lunch arrangements December "Ramble"

Hi all,

Our Xmas dinner

is set for this Tuesday 5th. Deposits have been paid, choices have been given.

Only one change.....there won't be any actual walking on the day! Do I hear cheering from some quarters? The reason for the change is that The Halfway House doesn't open until 3.30 PM on Tuesdays. Good thing I checked! We could still I suppose do the usual walk across the fields without the Pitstop but...it might be raining or snowing.

So instead I thought we would take a different 29 bus

that goes straight to Isfield, Any problems for anyone?

That in mind I think we can probably start a bit later. Say the 10.53 from Seaford? That arrives at Lewes at 11.11 which gives us plenty of time for a coffee or other type of libation before the bus at 12.19.
All being well I will meet you outside Lewes station at 11.11.

Don't forget the crisp tenners! 

Harry

Christmas Ramble 2023

As Lafayette just posted, the famous Xmas ramble will take place on December 5th. This is a TUESDAY. Almost certainly we will dine at the popular Laughing Fish in Isfield. I have to call in there and make a booking and pay a deposit, But hopefully.

If everyone turns up we will be 7 at table (sorry Frog). If you do not think you can make it that day then PLEASE let me know as soon as poss

Cheers
Harry

November's very wet ramble 2023

Yesterday the weather was dreadful, awful and foul.

The luck had finally deserted the NERDS. It rained as though it was never going to stop but there again we weren't planning on rambling far.

We were Paco, Froggy, Matt, Sandyballs et Moi. We gathered at The Steamworks next to the station at Seaford. Plans for the "ramble" had been postponed due to S.B. giving a late date and nobody having any real ideas where to go. Meanwhile the Steamworks filled up with all sorts of odd bods and had obviously become the social centre for all the cool people in Seaford So we sat and drank coffee cognacs and worked out a date for the Christmas Ramble (Dec. the 5th probably at the Laughing Fish).

After a while Froggy had a plan, he wanted to take us 500 yards round Seaford to the Cinque Ports

where he had found a Thai restaurant which was supposed to be good.. So we went out into the rain ~ SB wishing he hadn't taken off his rainy trousers ~ and sloshed around down to the back end of Seaford where we found said pub and were greeted by a large , vicious, bear like dog

which wanted to chew everyone's balls off. "He's harmless, " said the landlord, but the owners always say that as the beast stands there with your throat in its mouth.

Anyway we all sat at a round table and drank Harvey's Old ~ which was nice. Then the Thai ladies came back in from Morrossons where they had been getting the ingredients for the genuine Thai meal. When this came (two courses for about £13 ) it was petit but very tasty. SB's mushroom soup was very hot (spicy). Don't ask Laf what he had ~ it was No10 on the menu. We were gratified to see that the pub monster barked at everyone who came in, not just us. So the meal was good and inexpensive and a good idea from Froggy.

Then we all came out where fortunately it had stopped raining and Laf managed to get a !2x bus which took him straight home.

Lafayette

2023 November's initial arrangements

Sorry, running late.

Meet Thursday 16th at The Steamworks
at about 10.30? Sort something out from there!





Cheers



Harry

October's REAL Ramble 2023

We went on a real ramble on Tuesday last, real because we actually walked somewhere - boom boom!


Lafayette had been called upon to check the Lewes Life rings

for Coastwatch so came up with the idea of dragging the NERDS round with him. The weather that day was very warm and pleasant, very Indian summery, and with the promise of terrible storms for the rest of the week so better do it that day or not at all.

We were Laf, SB, Paco, Froggy and the Bish.

We all met SB at Lewes station and then Laf took charge. We walked round past Waitrose then crossed over and started on the bridge

over the mighty Ouse. Lafayette had decided to do his usual course backwards to make a change but had forgotten where the start/finish was - it being a clandestine gap in a hedge somewhere. Anyway the rest of the Nerds found it before Laf and we all proceeded.

It was pleasant going along the river bank

but the weather began to get hot and some of us began to flag. We passed through the Hippys' back yard but no sign of the Hippys since it was only about 11 o'clock and they hadn't got up.

We got round to Pell's pond

and because there were about 4 or five life rings

round here to check, Laf allowed Paco and the aged Bish to opt out on this circuit and took the other two around with him.

Froggy kept us entertained with his witty banter (mindless chatter).

We finished the last of the liferings along the south bank of the Ouse past Tesco's and then went to the John Harvey Tavern for a quick aperitif. Luckily Harvey's had just started brewing Harvey's Old

for the winter season so we all got stuck into this. Good Stuff!

SB then took us to a restaurant he fancied on the site of the old Magistrates Court and despite being called Zorba's

was in fact a Turkish restaurant. 

It turned out to be really good. Nice food, pleasant surroundings ,

good service, definitely NERDS Approved.

Then the Bish went home to wash his hair or something. and the rest cleared off to The Lansdowne

where some of us drank large brandies (Paco and Laf) and then staggered back homewards.

It had been a successful ramble doing a new route for some of us and with good weather and sussing out a new eatery.

Next month we go back to the Halfway House and the Laughing Fish so let's hope the weather will be OK.