Cream machines
(Kelvingrove Park: Glasgow, Scotland)
I have an inkling that our Summer is likely to be early, intense and over by May. The past few days have been astounding in their quality; literally no clouds in the sky, blinding sunshine, wonderful sunsets and the ever elusive Glasgow warmth. As you can see, the pair on the right have taken shelter under a tree to recover from the sunshine. It has come from nowhere, but seems to leaves us with a more laid back attitude to just about everything and a distinct yearning for barbeques.
This picture poses a dilemma to me, however. The ice cream vans; where do they go when it isn’t sunny? This one appeared from absolutely nowhere on the single, first Summery day, but how did the driver know the day would be such a stunner? Have they been awaiting this day all Spring, each morning, sat in the driver’s seat of a carpark somewhere listening to radio weather reports? I have never seen a neglected parked ice cream van, so they must go somewhere. In the East End (and no doubt elsewhere) ice cream vans are actually more of a year round affair, selling all manner of comestibles and essentials. I think some even stock toilet rolls and sausages, though not necessarily for sale together. The ‘Greenfield Cream Machine’ that parades near my Gran’s house to the tune of ‘Greensleeves’ never fails to extract a titter from me each time I see it.
I would like to imagine that they just know, that the owners of ice cream vans have senses like sailors, able to smell a lust for ice cream on the wind, just as sailors can ‘smell’ a storm. I’m sure the council probably just rings them up from a small directory and they have to apply for a permit or something. It’s never quite as whimsical and interesting as I want it to be. It won’t actually stop me speculating though. It just makes me want an overpriced ice cream even more.
– Today Rosie has decided to take a minor holiday because practically everyone else has (for the Royal Wedding of course) in Glasgow, Scotland –
[...] hand image after a heavy morning’s rain. If you recall, this same area of Kelvingrove Park is usually crammed with people on such a spectacular weekday afternoon, but that day, the park was deserted except for some [...]