Barrydale

Barrydale is a village located on the border of the Overberg and Klein Karoo regions of the Western Cape Province in South Africa. Named after James Barry, it is situated at the northern end of the Tradouw's pass which winds its way through the mountains to Swellendam. Barrydale's history dates back to the early 1700s when farmers moved into the area looking for fertile arable land with water. The community built their church on a spot where the R62 and R324 roads meet. In the days before the church was built there were a number of nagmaal houses (Houses where Holy Communion could be celebrated) and a school, but not much else. The Dutch Reformed Community of Barrydale came into being in 1878 when land was purchased to build the church. As the farmers in the area were encouraged to plant vineyards and orchards it was natural that a winery and distillery would eventually be built. In 1940 the Barrydale Koöperatiewe Wynkelder was formed and a distillery established giving rise to the wine industry in the area. Joseph Barry Brandy, produced locally was voted best brandy in the world in 2003. Over the years the village grew and eventually a municipality was established in 1921. The warm temperate climate is perfect for the growth of various fruit trees with numerous orchards on the fertile soils of the Tradouw Valley. Apples, pears and oranges are harvested in the winter and crops of apricots, figs, cling peaches and grapes in the summer. The town still shows the legacy of the apartheid era when it was divided in two to separate whites from non-whites, a large proportion of which are direct descendants of the indigenous Khoisan tribe. Barrydale is culturally diverse for a small village with English- and Afrikaans-speaking inhabitants as well as a substantial European expatriate community including French, German, Spanish and Italian residents. Today there is an estimated population of 3500 permanent residents, this number increasing dramatically in the tourist season, with visitors drawn by arts and crafts displays including textiles, jewellery and African souvenirs. The annual Barrydale Spring Festival in October is an important event on the town's calendar. The Joseph Barry Tradouw Pass Half Marathon attracts a large number of runners who compete over a 21km course through the pass. Barrydale has a temperate climate of warm, dry summers with averages of 25°C occasionally up to 35°C, and mild, wet winters with the odd dip to around -1°C accompanied by light frosts.

Animals and Plants

Barrydale and the surrounding area is rich in species diversity with abundant wildlife such as Baboons, Genets, Mongooses, Klipspringer (small khaki-coloured antelope often seen perched on rocks), Rock Hyraxes known locally as Dassies (the closest relatives of elephants) and more elusive animals like Porcupines, Aardvarks, Jackals, Otters and the reclusive Leopards which are occasionally seen in the mountains. Reptiles are common especially snakes with a few poisonous species such as Puff Adder, Boomslang (tree snake) and Cape Cobra. The area is also home to numerous bird species such as the Cape Eagle Owl, Hadeda Ibis, Grey Heron, Sunbird species (these often have iridescent plumage), Fiscal Shrike which impales its prey on acacia thorns or barbed wire, and Black Eagles often seen soaring high overhead on the thermals. It is a botanist's delight with many rare and fascinating plant species notably the Fynbos flora on the slopes of the Langeberg mountain range in the South and succulent dominated Karroid flora to the North. There are many private and State reserves in the area such as the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve.

External links

* [http://www.viewoverberg.com/Barrydale.asp Useful knowledge with some good photos.]
* [http://www.barrydale.co.za/ Eponymous website with interesting facts.]
* [http://www.route62.co.za/ Wine route encompassing the Breede River Valley and the Klein Karoo.]
* [http://www.inkaroo.info/ Accommodation list, local artists and map of area.]