h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

An ice cream van came to our village last night. Usually the chimes are playing something like 'Teddy Bears' Picnic' or 'London Bridge is Falling Down' - a children's tune, anyway.

This van was playing, in the usual tinkly ice cream van way, the theme tune to Match of the Day.

Now, it's a nice enough tune. But not one I'd normally associate with children and ice cream.

Then it occurred to me that possibly, in this day and age, ice cream vendors are able to download whatever chimes they want.

So ... what have ice cream vans been playing in *your* area this summer?

Mol

The one that wandered up our street a few weeks ago was playing "The Addams Family", which I thought was quite cool.

My dad told us when we were young that when the ice cream van played the tune it meant there was no ice cream left

I think everyone's Dad tried that one...

That's a bizarrely coincidental question. I heard, the other day, a van in our village playing "Anchors Aweigh". I thought, 'What a weird tune for an ice-cream van. There's an idea for thread'.

Around here its always "Three blind mice"

I just found the tinkly tonibell van tune

Greensleeves is traditional in NZ, I guess that's what came with the van. Haven't heard any more recently in the age of the download.

I don't think they actually sell ice-cream here though. They're usually a Mr Whippy, which is that weird whipped stuff probably full of chemicals.

Same stufff they sell here... But they do sell choc ices and stuff that may* be more like icecream...

I've only heard the typical ones, Greensleeves is the most common I'd say...

What *is* ice-cream? In most cases, the actual amount of cream involved is minimal, if not non-existent.

A good vanilla ice-cream is effectively frozen custard. Most recipes are a milk/cream combination, in varying proportions.

The stuff that comes out of ice-cream vans is made of reconstituted milk powder, quick-frozen by some sciency mechanism.

The stuff you get in tubs from supermarkets is a frozen agglomeration of animal and vegetable fats, with added bits of artificiality thrown in to colour/flavour it. This is why it tastes like frozen margarine.

If you want an ice cream that's made from just cream and natural flavourings, may I suggest A2339534 ?

RF

The one round this way plays the annoying tune like they're s'posed to.

That's how I like my ice-cream, RF, made with real food I use cream, eggs, fruit, maple syrup... I don't usually bother putting milk in.

I let my do it but it involves cream, eggs a bit of sugar and whatever flavourings we want (sometimes we substitute some of the cream for yoghurt)

We often use the Ben&Jerry ice-cream recipe book and haven't had a duff one yet.

Air is the answer.

In Scunthorpe, there's one that plays 'Avenues and Alleyways' by Tony Christie. Most awesome.

B

*Pop Goes the Weasel* here, along with the most annoying ear worm in existence- *Music Box Dancer*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LRsYn9ufY0


I witnessed a reporter trying to interview a driver of a *Mr. Cool* truck, who declined (with a strong Jamaican accent)- *No camera mon, Mr. Cool is wanted in several states.*

The popeye tune (is that anchors aweigh?)

PP

Hmm, maybe the whole ice-cream van chimes downloads thing hasn't taken off yet. Good selection reported though, thanks - I've also heard both Greensleeves and Popeye but I'd forgotten about them.

I think you've out-weirded Match of the Day with Avenues and Alleyways, though, MB.

Mol

We heard one playing the theme tune from Pot Black the other night.

Coincidentally its just gone past again, and it's playing The Entertainer.

Clearly you've got yourself a Scott Joplin-programmed van there, then. I'd check it's not staffed by Robert Redford and Paul Newman the next time it comes past.

B

Oh wouldn't that be wonderful! I shall report back

http://tiny.cc/xu06q