So, last Tuesday the forty days were up.
Over that time, it rained on seventeen of those days, roughly once every 2 days nine hours.
Overall I collected 236mm of rain: the heaviest rainfall was August 10th when 29mm was collected, and the average over the days that it rained, was 13.9mm – over the entire forty days, it averaged out at 5.9mm each day.
Meanwhile, given that IT TAKES BOTH RAIN AND SHINE TO MAKE A RAINBOW, the sunshine over those days brought with it 27 encounters with ice cream vans, an average of roughly one every one and a half days. Within that time there were a few favourites along the way, a couple were heard and not seen also, and I learned a lot about the different sounds they make , people they have inspired, and products they serve – for example, this chilli ice cream from Uncle Bob:
My favourite I was already familiar with, on Morecambe promenade, not just for its Morrissey reference but for the nostalgia that engulfed it, although the Shakespeare version and a lovely example frequenting Prestatyn market (that I got told off for taking a photo of) came close seconds:
Overall I think the rain was a secondary part to the ice cream, as it reconnected me with my youth in terms of getting overly excited at seeing the colourful vans in unexpecte places, or even better, hearing their chimes. Even trips to the shops might bring a fleeting glimpse to be recorded:
In the end, I rediscovered my taste for ice cream really, and along the way found that several others shared an interest in my concerns:
David Cameron, for example, found it “hard to believe” that government regulation of ice-cream van music is necessary, perhaps because one of his speechwriters (Clare Foges) used to work as an ice cream van driver in Surrey. Of course, with Margaret Thatcher’s experience, Conservative Prime Ministers do have previous: Meanwhile, the South Sefton Development Trust where I live have begun using a converted ice cream van to seek out entrepreneurs and help them start a business, as reported in last week’s Crosby Herald.. And, Heston Blumenthal recently announced that his ‘aim is to make ice cream that has fewer crystals, less fat, better flavour and a more pleasant texture… In other words, the perfect ice cream’ (Waitrose Kitchen, June 2011) whilst at the start of the summer, Roberto Mancini spoke of his plans to conclude transfer dealings over forty days and forty nights and his delight at capturing Samir Nasri – a fellow French Algerian – after a saga that seemed to have gone on for the same time period.
Exactly what happens next for me though, we cannot know – this project will form part of an exhibition or at the very least a book to document my findings over the the forty days, I have already observed ideas for display and have amassed, as if by magic, a grand total of 99 photographs of my exploits since July 15th.
For now, enjoy the rest of the summer, and any ice cream or rain that might come your way.
