I scream, you scream ...

My final confirmation that winter is over came on Sunday as I planted potatoes in the afternoon drizzle, slathered in mud.

As if in some drug-induced hallucination, I began to hear the tinkling of a distant bell. It grew closer, distorted by the dank weather.

It wasn't church bells, or a car alarm. It was the sound of an ice cream van plying its wares on the streets of my town.

Let me write that again: an ice cream van. In March.

I grew accustomed to hearing the jaunty sea shanty that is the Captain Pugwash theme last summer, when the local van played it continually around the streets near my plot.

I've blotted from my memory what the tune was this time, but I am hoping to hear it again so I can confirm the title to you. I know it wasn't Greensleeves, though.

I grew curious about the number one ice cream van tune. Are there charts? Can one van play different tunes? Of course, the great thing about the interweb thingy is that I can find out instantly.

I bring you: MusicThing blog on how ice cream vans work, and an ice cream van tune chart.

Perhaps I should run a Horticultural ice cream van poll: let me know what tunes you hear on those sunny summer afternoons on the plot. Or in March.

Comments

[Mildew]

I too have heard the chimes of an ice cream van this month. It was about two weeks ago when it was raining and bloody freezing. I’d be interested to see how much business it did. Greensleeves was the tune if memory serves correctly. The van that goes round my neighbourhood has the delightful sound of Popeye The Sailorman. Once I hear that, that’s when I know it’s summer.

[Hap]

No sign of ice cream trucks yet, here in Berkeley. But it has been raining for months. Soon perhaps.

I think the only ice cream song that I am aware of is "Turkey in the Straw" it is the song I remember as a kid both in Idaho and Alaska and it is the song used in Berkeley as well. Maybe it is "The ice cream song" for the west coast?

The Cantina Trucks that roll through the neighborhood seem to all be playing salsa music, but that goes better with deep fried burritos, doughnuts and egg rolls....

[Clare]

For some strange reason we have ice cream vans all year round - there was even on eround and about on Boxing Day.

Last year I was driven mad on the plot with Popeye the Sailor Man, The Sun Has Got His Hat On (particularly galling in freezing cold February, I can tell you) and a very strange chime that seemed to be the first bar or two of the Star Spangled Banner.

None of which make me want to buy a strawberry mivvy.

[Sujatin]

I ffffffeel hypothththermic at the thought

[Frankie]

Two days after reading this I am standing in my greenhouse when I hear the first ice-cream van of the year - 'twas like hearing the first cuckoo.

[Emma K]

I am good at hearing ice cream vans and my reactions are like lightning - I turn the TV up very loud so my children can't hear the chimes of the van!

[Jane Perrone]

Yesterday I heard both "I do like to be beside the seaside" (in possibly the most landlocked county in Britain) and the old faithful Capt Pugwash while gardening ...

[Canvey island ice cream.......Mick]

Hi everybody The ice cream man cometh.some vendors choose to work all though the year.After investing in a van do the best to get a return on it.I my self dont mind working in the winter.Not belting about trying to complete with other vans.Also dont work so late.There are some downsides.In the winter you tend to be a travelling supermarket.And have to have a good heater.As for the chimes.I have the best i have 50 tunes.which i can change.by changing the micro chip.It can be alot of fun.A tune for all avents.I.E When on the beach pitch ..I do like to be beside the seaside.When raining..Raindrops falling on my head..I have had kids doing the birdy song.And all the normal tunes.Happy birthday..jingel bells..white xmas..Also you can also have mike on it for speech also play cd.s or radio though it.All in all lots of fun when your working.All the best..Mick