Radio: “We’re talking about psychopaths in the workplace.”
Farm hand: “O, they’re talking about the boss.”
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When the crows are coming in, the cherries are ripe.
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Someone came in to ask for second hand cherries instead of second grade.
The first time a customer asked for ‘a couple of kilos’, I didn’t get it. How much did he want? Apparently a couple of kilos is literally two. To me ‘a couple’ could be any number.
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A hippie-looking man who has just bought cherries comes back into the shed. He gives me a note. His phone number is on it. If I am ever in Queensland, even if it would be in a year, I am welcome to call him if I need a guide or a place to stay.
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“Is that an American or a Canadian accent I hear?” It’s the umpteenth customer that’s asked me that. “It’s Dutch sir.” I answer, and I get a surprised look.
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If you want to stay in Australia for a second year working holiday, you’ll have to do your 88 days of regional work. In the 88 days diaries I tell the story of my three months of farm work on a cherry orchard. I worked out in the fields as a farm hand before working in the packing shed during the cherry season. Read about what I think, experience and explore, from eccentric farmers to new skills.