Barry was a well-loved good used Volvo Excavator who had spent three or four years digging trenches, shifting muck, and impressing site managers with his remarkably tidy bucket work. So after a few years of hard labour, he decided he deserved a holiday.
So, one sunny morning, Barry rumbled down to Poole, Dorset, to catch the ferry to Jersey in the Channel Islands. The ferry staff were slightly surprised. They were used to cars, motorbikes, and the occasional caravan, but not a 2.6 ton Excavator carrying a straw hat on its cab roof.
As Barry rolled aboard, he proudly announced, “No digging this week. I’m strictly on bucket-and-spade duties.”
The crossing was delightful. Barry parked on deck and spent hours admiring the sea. Unfortunately, every time a seagull landed nearby, he instinctively tried to scoop it up with his bucket. Old habits die hard.
Upon arriving in Jersey, Barry became something of a celebrity. Tourists queued for photographs, children demanded rides, and local construction equipment regarded him as a sophisticated visitor from the mainland.
Barry spent his days touring the coast, enjoying sea views, and carefully excavating only the largest sandcastles. By the end of the week, he felt completely refreshed.
“Best holiday ever,” he declared. The only thing I will do different in the future is upgrade my ticket to avoid the strapping down procedure.
It is rumoured that Barry may be making an appearance in the next series of Bergerac!
