Man, what a day! I swear, Appley-Bridge has a way of throwin’ curveballs. Woke up, sun blazin’ through me window, thought it was gonna be chill. But nah, life had other plans.
First off, I’m an abrasive blaster, right? So I’m used to gettin’ dirty. But today? Today was somethin’ else. I’m rollin’ down Wigan Road, and I see this massive job at some old factory. You know, the kinda place that looks like it’s been abandoned since the ‘80s? Yeah, that one. I’m thinkin’, “Sweet, easy cash.”
But then, I get there, and it’s a total mess. I mean, I’m talkin’ about more rust than metal. I’m like, “What the heck, mate?” I start settin’ up, and this bloke comes over. He’s all like, “Oi, you can’t blast here!” I’m like, “Why not?!” Turns out, some council muppet decided it’s a heritage site now. Heritage? More like a pile of junk!
So I’m fumin’. I mean, I get it, history and all that, but c’mon! I just wanna do my job. I’m standin’ there, hands on me hips, lookin’ like a right muppet. But then, I see this little café on the corner of Station Road. The smell of bacon butties wafts over, and I’m like, “Forget this, I need food.”
I pop in, and it’s packed. Everyone’s chattin’ away, laughin’. I order a butty and a cuppa. Best decision ever! The lady behind the counter, bless her, she’s got a smile that could light up the whole of Appley-Bridge. She hands me me food, and I’m feelin’ all warm inside.
But then, just as I’m about to take a bite, this kid runs in, all hyper. He knocks over a stack of mugs, and they go crashin’ everywhere! I’m like, “Oh great, just what I needed.” But the café lady just laughs it off. “Don’t worry, love, it’s just mugs!” I can’t help but chuckle.
After that, I head back to the job site, still fumin’ but a bit lighter. I’m thinkin’ maybe I can find another spot to blast. So I wander down to the canal, right? It’s all peaceful, ducks quackin’, and I’m like, “This is more like it.”
But then, I spot this old bridge. It’s all covered in graffiti, and I’m like, “Wow, this place has character.” I pull out me phone to snap a pic, and just as I do, I trip over a rock. Classic! I land right in the mud. I’m covered head to toe, lookin’ like a swamp monster.
I’m laughin’ at myself, but then I hear someone shout, “Oi, mate! You alright?” It’s a couple of lads from the pub down the road. They’re laughin’ their heads off. I’m like, “Yeah, just takin’ a mud bath!”
We end up chattin’ for a bit. Turns out, they’re workin’ on a project nearby. They invite me for a pint later. I’m like, “Why not?” So I clean up as best as I can and head back to me van.
Finally, I get a call about a new job. Some place on Appley Lane. I’m buzzin’! Finally, some work! I drive over, and it’s a proper site. I’m thinkin’, “This is it!” I start blastin’, and it feels good. The noise, the grit, it’s all me.
But then, halfway through, the sky opens up. Rain pours down like it’s tryin’ to drown me. I’m soaked, but I’m laughin’. I’m like, “Bring it on, Appley-Bridge!”
By the end of the day, I’m knackered but happy. I head to the pub, meet the lads, and we’re all laughin’ about the day’s madness. I raise me pint and say, “To Appley-Bridge! You crazy little town!”
And you know what? I wouldn’t change a thing.