Taking a flask again
By Fleur
@Fleura (31664)
United Kingdom
March 14, 2023 7:16am CST
When I was a child, if we went for a family day out we always took a packed lunch, a few biscuits and a bottle of squash, and a flask of tea for my parents, plus a damp cloth in a plastic bag to wipe our hands. There was never any question of stopping at a café or anything like that.
In any case there weren’t as many places to get refreshments. Places like museums or plant nurseries were just that – you went there to look at the exhibits or to buy plants, not for afternoon tea! Businesses hadn’t yet cottoned on to the fact that people would be happy to sit down for a drink and something to eat afterwards. And of course we all had less disposable income then, perhaps everyone did the same as us. The last 30 years or so have seen an explosion in the number of eateries. Now pretty much any ‘destination’ has its own café.
But anyway I digress… I never used to buy refreshments at motorway services as they are very expensive, but more recently I decided a hot drink was occasionally worth the price if it helped me to stay alert on a long journey, not so much due to the caffeine as simply having something to do. But now everything has gone up in price yet again, a couple of times I’ve stopped at the services thinking I will spend a couple of pounds on a drink, but then when I got there and found they were close to double that I changed my mind and decided I could manage.
Then I remembered my trusty flask! It has been languishing at the back of the cupboard for some years, practically forgotten, but now it’s been dug out and pressed back into service. I don’t know why I ever forgot it really!
Do you use a flask for hot drinks?
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2023.
16 people like this
14 responses
@arunima25 (90129)
• Bangalore, India
14 Mar 23
I could so well relate to this post. My husband always carried his coffee in his flask while leaving for office or any driving. He likes home made coffee the best. Even now on long journey, we do pack some home made snacks to munch on the way
2 people like this
@arunima25 (90129)
• Bangalore, India
15 Mar 23
@Fleura Now a days, we have many options of flasks to choose from. They look more fancy and are durable. Even leak proof for the jerks thar you might get while driving.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (31664)
• United Kingdom
15 Mar 23
@arunima25 I have had this stainless steel one for several years, I used to use it when I went scuba-diving and it survived going out in a boat being knocked about and splashed with salty water.
1 person likes this
@porwest (99766)
• United States
17 Mar 23
@Fleura A lot of stuff gets like that. I learned a long time ago from writing about making sure not to generically use brand names—it came up mostly when I was an editor.
A tissue is not a kleenex unless it is a Kleenex and stuff like that.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58574)
• Philippines
15 Mar 23
I mainly use a flask for my cold drinks.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (226415)
• Chile
14 Mar 23
I have had it for many years but last year I gave it to my grandson. And, as things are, as soon as I gave it, I discovered I shouldn´t have done it
My best friends boil water at breakfast and place the water in a flask. We use that water during the day and a lot of money is saved as the water does not have to be reheated. Your post reminded me of our own outings first when I was a child and then when my children were small. When I was a child there weren´t plastic bags and I loved to eat hard boiled eggs peeled with my own dirty little hands
My best friends boil water at breakfast and place the water in a flask. We use that water during the day and a lot of money is saved as the water does not have to be reheated. Your post reminded me of our own outings first when I was a child and then when my children were small. When I was a child there weren´t plastic bags and I loved to eat hard boiled eggs peeled with my own dirty little hands1 person likes this
@sjvg1976 (41967)
• Delhi, India
15 Mar 23
No, we don't use hot flasks but we don't spend on refreshments on the way but always keep snacks, cold drinks, and even lunch/dinner when we go for long drives. Yes I also have noticed that you can find restaurants or eateries everywhere but the prices are too much.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (49578)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
14 Mar 23
I used to take a thermal jug of tea with me when I worked for Elections Canada on voting day.
1 person likes this
@rakski (135738)
• Philippines
14 Mar 23
When we travel with kids nowadays, I still see to it that I have water, snacks, cookies and other food and drinks with me. True that there are lots of Cafe and convenience stores along the way but as you mentioned, their prices are higher than in supermarkets
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (84610)
• United States
14 Mar 23
Back in my working days I always filled up a thermos with coffee and had it on my desk to sip as the day went by.
Buying coffee out can be expensive. I have treated myself occasionally but not something I could afford to do on a regular basis.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20482)
• United States
14 Mar 23
I used a thermos when I was younger. I will be using something similar when I go to the doctor soon.
1 person likes this
