After 12 years in England I've finally done something I've always wanted to do - have our milk delivered. Yes, we still have milkmen in England. It's one of those lovely, old-fashioned things that I hope never changes. With the growth of the big supermarkets the milkman has taken a beating so I've deicided that it's high time we add our support to the service.
We had our first delivery this morning, two ice cold bottles of skim milk in sweet glass bottles. There were sitting on the doorstep just waiting to be collected. So good for the environment too because we just leave our empty bottles to be collected and used again. On Saturdays we're having apple juice delivered too and I've requested a catalogue to see what else we can add to the list. I can't wait to buy one of those little wire baskets to hold the bottles with a clip to attach any notes I'd like to leave for the milkman. "An extra pint on Tuesday, please.'
The sound of the milkman making his rounds would have to be in my Top Ten Sounds of England. It's right up there with the sound of the kettle boiling and the tick of the radiator on a cold morning. The deliveries are usually made around 3-4am and the milkmen do their best to be very quiet. They have electric delivery vans called milk floats (also very good for the environment). If you happen to be awake at that time you can hear the soft hum of the milk float and the gentle clink of the bottles jostling each other as they go along. Such a comforting sound and so lovely to know that your milk will be waiting for you when you wake up.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
You and I are a lot alike! It's my dream to have our milk delivered. I'd do it, but I'm always afraid the milkman will get there after we leave and/or our neighbours will help themselves. I'm very envious.
The radiator thing, isn't that funny.. I love waking up early and knowing that the heat's about to come on. I also like coming in early and flipping on the heat. weird! :)
only clink i ever hear when i am fortunate enough to visit is the clink and whine, whur and bang of the bin men! that is about 5 am! my mom had milk delivered when i was small...over 50 years ago and you left notes in the bottles and paid with little tickets that you prepaid for! i have my milk bottle collection on my stairs at the moment and i will look at them and think of you each day! can you cop a bottle for me to add to my collection? (but only if it has the name of the dairyprinted on it!) nana
i think you ran away with the milkman and have not come back! hope you are fine. liz said you have had the children by yourself for a while. mary catherine told me she saw toby last weekend and they had a good time together. just wanted you to know i miss your blog. you and liz make me smile!
Post a Comment