2024 June's "Ramble"

The NERDS met at The Steamworks in Seaford.

At least, Laf, Froggy and Sandyballs did.

Steamworks is actually the sort of place people drop into for a genteel cup of coffee and a chat rather than a raucous shouting match that seems to occur whenever Froggy is holding forth.

Nevertheless we all managed to restrain ourselves (at least during the first pint) and discussed who wasn't there.


The previous day it had been Steve Sheridan's funeral attended by Froggy, the Bish and Matt. The latter was not here today because he had a dental appointment. The Bish had had his eyes fixed (cataracts) and could not find his way to the pub. Who else was left? Oh, Paco, of course, so Laf gave him a ring.


Paco had woken up in a panic. His oh so smart watch which now dictated his whole life had told him he was going to die within the hour and he was actually believing it. Laf calmed him down and told him to get his arse round to the Steamworks asap so that all his demons could be chased away with drink. A while later Paco turned up in his dressing gown (not really).

The NERDs were by now heavily into the ESB beer which tasted extraordinarily nice and it was now approaching lunchtime.

Froggy had all these exciting ideas about taking us round his Martello Tower

and introducing us to the bizarre people who worked there, but we were all hungry so instead made our way to the Cinque Ports pub

in High street and drank some more (different) beer.

What is attractive about this place is that it serves Thai food,.The NERDS have been here a couple of times before and the grub is consistently good. The Bish was there trying out his new eyes.

He was so full of joy at his new, improved sight that he bought Lafayette a drink!!! 

 

Just as we finished our Thai lunch the door opened and Steve (Gorilla) Brown walked in all the way from Calais via Kent. Greetings were exchanged and he too bought Laf. a drink (Lucky Laf. to be so popular all of a sudden). Everybody talked about how awful it was that over 800 "asylum seekers" had crossed the Channel the previous day. Poor things having no crossing allowance,

and being cold and wet and all. We wished them all well in their future careers.

After this things broke up and the NERDS diaspora took place. At least it's easy to get home from Seaford. Don't forget It's Summertime, and the Rambling is Easy. Fish are jumping etc etc.

So that's it and we hope you got the photos of us that Froggy took on his phone.

Bye for now.

Lafayette.

June's Arrangements

Hi,

Weather forecast looks fine for a seaside stroll on Wednesday. Meet at the Steamworks between 10.30 and 11 AM. I should be there about 10.45. Thai grub is promised for lunch.

See you there

Harry

June 2024 Correction!!

 

Sorry I made a mistook!  The ‘Ramble’ is on for Wednesday 19^th, NINETEENTH!

 

Harry

Sandyballs

June 2024 itinerary

Hi all,

The next NERDS social gathering ( observe the deliberate non-use of the word ‘Ramble’) will take place on Wednesday June 13th. A home game for Seaford-ites. Meet at The Steamworks on Seaford Central station. There may then follow a short stroll along the Promenade. Lunch will probably be at Froggy’s favourite Thai food hostelry. No faux Italian this time!

See you on the day

Sandyballs

June 1st 2024

 “We are slain with the sword, but we increase and multiply; the more we are persecuted and destroyed, the more are deaf to our numbers. As a vine, by being pruned and cut close, shoots forth new suckers, and bears a greater abundance of fruit; so is it with us.” – St. Justin Martyr

2024 May's Ramble Event

 

                                                                     

Fortunately out of all the shitty weather this week the NERDS picked the one day that was warm (actually hot), not raining and which did not have a gale blowing

the slates off the roofs, ie it was OK.

Lafayette organised it and we all met at NHN railway/ bus station on a bright ,warm, sunny (did I mention hot)

pleasant day, Sandyballs came by train, the Seaford contingent - Paco, Froggy and Matt came by bus. Bish

, Dio and Gorilla Brown sent their apologies.

Laf wanted to take everybody to The Sidings Supercaff

next to the river but again it seemed to be in financial difficulties so was not open. Oh dear, twenty minutes to waste until the Ark

opened at 11 30hrs so it was a very slow saunter over NHN bridge and down the road to the pub where at least you could sit in the boiling sun

(did I mention it was blisteringly hot?)

on the terrace to wait for the bar to open.

So pints served, we sat overlooking the river nervously watching out for the ferry

(why? we were no longer employed and there was no office to scamper back to) so we just sat (in the sun) and drank. Froggy

started to get noisy as usual but finally he twigged that he was actually going deaf (not to mention the rest of us), and could not hear how much he was shouting. (needing to turn up the television a lot gives a good clue Froggy!) So he decided to buy himself an ear trumpet.

After a second pint we slothed onwards towards The Hope

which was booked for lunch. When we arrived most of Newhaven had got there before us so that they could sit outside in the boiling, searing loverly, hot sun and drink lager and watch the ferry go by (which it did).

The food was ok. Laf had Caesar salad with chicken,

Matt and Froggy had fish and chips,

and Paco had a steak.

Oh, I forgot to mention that Sandyballs had to go home from The Ark because he had urgent familial tasks and a theatre trip.

Finally someone had a dessert and Paco and Laf had coffee cognac

with an extremely dubious brandy which nobody had ever heard of (made at the Newhaven Distillery, I guess).

Then we set off in the really, really hot burning, searing sun

back to NHN Centreville. On the way Matt wanted to stop at the COOp to get a Magnum

(no, not a gun!)

and so of course we all had to have one - except Froggy who got half a bottle of rum

to keep him going back to his house, and to counteract the effects of the awfully hot, boilingly searing sun which we had had to put up with all day.

So. a nice warm ramble with no photos cos Froggy is now officially deaf and can't hear your pleas, Brian. Just sprinkle a lot of dodgy looking fairies

into the picture section of the blog. ( I especially like the green ones with suspender belts)

and People will think you've (I've) written a masterpiece.

So long, enjoy the sun.

Lafayette.

May's Ramble so far

 Hopefully the "Hope Inn" 

is all set for the arrival of the NERDS on 15/5/2024.

BT

May

Ode To May

by Peter Burn 

Queen of months, supremely fair,

Cloth'd with garments rich and rare,

None in beauty can compare

With thee, sweet May. 

Lovely month, thou bringest mirth,

Spreadest sweetness o;er the earth,

Causest Nature to give birth

To fruits and flowers. 

Thou art lov'd by young and old.

Joys for each thou dost unfold;

Never shall our hearts grow cold

To thee, sweet May.

May's Ramble initial arrangements

Dear NERDS,

Sandyballs is taken up with other matters this month so has asked me to organise a "ramble"

The May ramble will therefore take place on Wednesday 15th and will start at between 11 00hrs and 11 15hrs from Newhaven Station.

We shall probably end up lunching at The Hope so if you can come please let me know so that I can book.

Hope to see some of you there.

Lafayette.

April Ramble News

 

Happy Saint George’s Day

As April’s ramble has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances we hope May’s will be itemised shortly.

Regards to all.

BT

Reply to Sandyballs' suggestion for April Ramble date

Sorry, Harry. I can only do 17th and 19th that week. I know the following week is out for you but the week after that is still technically April.

Charlie.

April's Ramble first arrangements

Hi,

This month there is a problem choosing a Wednesday, for me anyway. Anybody have a problem with Tuesday 16th?

Harry

April 1st 2024

 

Towards April

 

                                         So: March 17th - St. Patrick’s Day Ramble - Non Event!

                                            Oh to be in England 
                                            Now that April 's there,
                                            And whoever wakes in England
                                            Sees, some morning, unaware,
                                            That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf
                                            Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf,
                                            While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough

                                                 

                                             In England—now!

We all hope April’s ramble will be much better with participants, perambulation and the weather. I don’t think that it will be on All Fools Day, but who knows what Sandyballs will arrange? Froggy should be back from the far east should the arrangements be later in the month.  Our local flock of sparrows are busily feeding on the bird balls preparing for their parenthood.

Here in southern France the apricot, cherry and pear trees are in full blossom

and one can hear the bees busily collecting nectar from the flowers. Our local vines are still just sticks 

jutting out of the ground but will soon be putting forth green shoots and hopefully the wine this year will be fantastic. French Catalunya still has water restrictions as we are in the third year of a drought but it is not as bad as in Spain. I’m sure Paco has more up to date information on that score.

Saint Patrick's Day Gathering 17th March 2024

In lieu of a Ramble this month, Charlie and I plus a Mystery Guest

will be celebrating St. Paddy in Brighton this Sunday. Meeting in Wetherspoons - The Post and Telegraph in North Street - at about 11.15ish. Then to The Fiddlers Elbow for traditional music and the wearing of silly hats.

All are welcome.

Harry

2024 March Gathering of The NERDS

 

Hi all,

This month we are not walking anywhere (so what is new, I hear you cry). Instead we are joining forces with the millions of people throughout the world who identify with the Irish diaspora

( Joe Biden for example) and celebrate St Patrick's Day.

In Brighton. The day - March 17th - falls on a Sunday but that should not detract from the fun.

I am envisaging meeting for lunch in Wetherspoons

at lunchtime for a spot of grub and then moving on to The Fiddlers Elbow

for some Guiness and didlee-dee music. I am not expecting a huge turnout for this event but there may well be one or two non-NERDS to boost our numbers.

Back to normal next month. Whatever normal means these days,

More details to follow.

Harry