Man, what a day! I’m a shepherd, right? Yeah, I know, not your typical city job. But lemme tell ya, today in Hulme was somethin’ else.
So, I wake up, sun’s barely up, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s the day!” I got my flock to tend to, but first, I gotta hit the market on Stretford Road. You know, the one with all the food stalls? I’m buzzin’ for some of that fresh bread.
I stroll down the street, and it’s like a scene from a movie. Kids runnin’ around, old folks sittin’ on benches, and the smell of bacon butties waftin’ through the air. I’m grinnin’ like a Cheshire cat. But then, BAM! I trip over a bloody pothole. Seriously, Hulme, fix your roads! I’m hopin’ my sheep don’t end up in a hole like that.
Finally, I get to the market. Grabbed my bread, and guess what? I see this old mate, Dave. He’s always got some wild story. Today, he’s goin’ on about how he saw a fox in the park. “In the middle of the day, mate!” he says. I’m like, “Yeah, right, Dave.” But then again, it’s Hulme. Anything can happen here.
After the market, I head to the park on Chorlton Road. It’s a nice spot, loads of green, perfect for my sheep. But as I’m settin’ up, I see this group of lads. They’re kickin’ a ball around, havin’ a laugh. I’m thinkin’, “Great, just what I need.” But then, one of ‘em kicks the ball right into my flock! Sheep goin’ everywhere! I’m shoutin’, “Oi! Watch it!”
They just laugh, like it’s some kinda joke. I’m fumin’. I mean, come on! I’m tryin’ to keep my sheep calm, and these lads are treatin’ it like a bloody football match. I finally get ‘em sorted, and I’m like, “You lot better watch where you kick that thing!”
But then, outta nowhere, this little girl comes up. She’s got a big smile, and she says, “Can I pet the sheep?” I’m like, “Of course, love!” And just like that, my mood shifts. She’s gigglin’ and petting them, and I can’t help but smile. Kids have that magic, don’t they?
After a while, I decide to take a break. I plop down on a bench, and I’m just watchin’ the world go by. Hulme’s got this vibe, ya know? It’s a mix of old and new. You got the old terraced houses, and then these new flats poppin’ up everywhere. It’s like a patchwork quilt.
But then, I see this guy on the corner of Upper Brook Street. He’s tryin’ to sell some dodgy watches. I’m thinkin’, “Mate, you’re in the wrong part of town for that.” But he’s all about it, shoutin’ “Get your watches here!” I can’t help but chuckle.
As the sun starts settlin’, I pack up my stuff. I’m headin’ back home, and I can’t shake the day off. It was mad, emotional, and a bit chaotic. But that’s Hulme for ya. It’s got its quirks, its characters, and its surprises.
I get home, and I’m knackered. But I can’t stop smilin’. I think about that little girl and her laughter. That’s what it’s all about, innit? Even in the chaos, there’s joy.
So yeah, that was my day in Hulme. Full of ups and downs, but wouldn’t trade it for anything. Just another day in the life of a shepherd in this wild, wonderful city.