Counting sheep in Australia

When I was studying at the QUT in Brisbane Australia back in the early 80s, coming home for the holidays was just simply out of the question. In those days, a return air ticket would cost almost $3,000 and this was financially way out of my humble budget.

That meant that when semester breaks came around, I didn't get to gallivant Down Under, but had to look for some ways to supplement my income. As I was on a student visa, working in established firms was not allowed by the regulations, so most of us foreign students did menial tasks. I worked at a vineyard pruning and sorting grapes.

It was a simple mundane task. Pick the grapes, place in into your bucket and carry it to the bin. We were paid by the quantity we harvested each day. The wages were sufficient to keep me going for a while.








However, whenever the question of what I did during my uni holidays arises, I would tell another tale. Something much more interesting than picking grapes (yawn! ) albeit, untrue. hee hee.

I would say that I worked on a sheep farm. My duties were very simple and easy. Each morning I had to open the sheep pen and let the sheep out to graze. In the evening, I had to herd the sheep back and ensure that each and every sheep are accounted for.

The job lasted me only 2 days. On the first day, I was given a severe warning, and on the 2nd day, I got the sack. What did I do wrong?


I kept falling asleep counting sheep ! ha ha