FARM BARN AT HAHNDORF with MARK BICKLEY

Just up the road from Hahndorf there's a great diversion for mum, dad and all the kids.

My wife Tanya and I recently took the Bickley tribe to the Farm Barn to sample life on the land. Out here three year old Natasha had the run of the place and so too did our five year old Shayne and her close mate Ellie as they set about rounding up some sheep.

"Here they come."

But for our youngest Alicia it's always a case of what's greener in the next paddock.

"Alicia."

But it's not long before she's getting a lamb's eye view of life in the Farm Barn . . . while the others are helping Malcolm feed his latest batch of spring lambs.

"Hold it up, hold it up . . . so they can more out . . . they're like little babies aren't they . . . I think it's all gone."

"Now we'll take that, our darling, because they don't want to suck air. We'll have to burp them won't we."

"Yer we know all about that."

Here the approach is certainly hands-on. . . and the competition for Malcom Farmer's little menagerie is intense.

"Look at this little one . . . look at this one . . . can you see this one girls . . ."

"Look . . . come over here and see . . . "

"Look at that."

"Look at this Jemimah . . . isn't that beautiful . . ."

Not to be outdone . . . Tash . . . is into the rabbit hutch to grab one of her own . . . and that's really what the Farm Barn is all about . . . allowing kids to experience nature at very close quarters.

The day we arrived a group of overseas travel agents were given the regular shearing demonstration by Malcolm's son Mike . . . and while the kids were intrigued for a while . . . their attention soon turned to the guinea pig enclosure.

"Hold on to him . . . hold him tight."

"Got him . . ."

"On your lap . . ."

"There you go."

But while Mike's back breaking efforts may not have inspired the kids . . . the next attraction certainly did.

"Daisey Daisey . . . Daisey . . ."

"Louder . . . come on . . . Daisey . . . Daisey."

Daisey the Cow enters and looks right at the camera as all present laugh.

Daisey's a Jersey who provides a refreshing break for some.

But not for Tash.

With Malcolm at the helm everyone's in on the act . . . but for a Port Pirie lad like me . . . milk is something you get from the carton.

"We'd be a long time waiting for a cup of tea."

"You wanna have a shot . . . now we're cookin . . . I was too gentle first up . . . now you pull a bit harder, it starts to happen."

And soon Tash had the hand of this milking caper as well.

"Pull it . . . ah you're doin it."

It's a great way for children to get just a taste of life on the farm . . . but I should have known that as the kids' confidence grew some of these animals were in for a hard time . . . and it just happened to be one of the chickens.

"OK, you've got to be careful."

"Ohhh."

"Ah, the old head high tackle . . . know it well."

But after that you'd think the chicken would be a bit confused . . . not the kids.

"Yer . . . now give him a kiss . . ."

"Give him a kiss on the beak."

As you can see, it's a hit with Natasha . . . and the rest of the Bickley Family . . . and a credit to Malcolm Farmer.

"We have kids here who won't touch the animals they drop the baby chicken because they say it's going to scratch them . . . a day old chick . . . uh but half an hour later they're handling them . . . they're playing with everything and it's a joy to see . . . they know that animals don't hurt them."

Well, I can attest to that certainly it's just . . . if you're thinking about doing something with the family you can not do anything better than enjoy watching the kids play with the animals in what is a great family day.

The Farm Barn is open daily. It's on the Mt Barker Road at Hahndorf next to the historic Nixons Mill. Visit there web page for open times, bus route deatils etc... Hahndorf Farm Barn