Barrydale Online

Author Leslie Howard moved to the Overberg twenty years ago, when she settled in the then little village of Greyton. So began a passionate love affair with life in the country, which today is as hot as it was then. The death of her husband Ken and the adoption of a slower pace of life caused other far-reaching changes. For example, a mid-life career change which enabled her to indulge her love of words and special places.

Leslie says that living in this special area for the past two decades has been the defining experience of her life. She is the author of Overberg Tapestry and Country Roads and Quirky People, an entertaining account of life in the rural Overberg. She is a contributing poet to New Coin, has written numerous articles for a variety of journals, mainly on the subject of higher education, and was a speech-writer for the chancellor and two vice-chancellors of tertiary institutions, and for some of our current parliamentarians. She has recently translated three books. Flowers, simply beautiful and Homegrown garden design, both published by Metz Press, are on the shelves now.

When asked about the book she is now writing, Leslie becomes evasive. She’s not letting on until it is about to be published. But she does happily confess that an article on building styles in Barrydale will appear in Country Life in mid-December.

 On Friday the 16th July "Barrydale Cares" received a visit from The Nelson Mandela Foundation together with a number of bikers who are doing their 67 minutes (and more) to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 92nd birthday.   We had arranged soup and bread for the elderly for the bikers to serve to the elderly, and many others, who had arrived at the hall.   After the visitors were welcomed by the Ebenaezer singing group with a rendering of our National Anthem, they were then officially welcomed by the mayor, Mr Jansen.  A presentation of 100 soft, warm blankets was handed to our social worker, Mrs Annaline Zulch by Morgan Freeman on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Artist and part-time resident in Barrydale, Gila Simons Band recently gave a workshop in Barrydale at Nigel and Linda Hewitt's Gallery. Gila has been a practicing artist and teacher to children and adults for more than 30 years and has worked in collections both nationally and internationally.
She started facilitating Creative Processing Art Workshops 12 years ago and has designed 27 different workshops ranging from small intimate groups to larger groups for corporate workers.

Gila's Main subjects of concern and focus are the human condition, environmental issues and different philosophical outlooks that can be translated into visual narrative. The workshop was thoroughly enjoyed by participants who are looking forward to more of the same by Gila. Gila is contactable on email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Photographs of Workshop "Winter Contained" by Martina Stöcker)

My wife, Helen and I arrived on our farm at Somewhere, Lemoenshoek around 17h00 on Saturday afternoon. We unpacked and I set about getting a fire going for a braai.
 
The fire was just going well when I heard a voice calling out of the dark. A figure pushing a bicycle, fairly heavily laden with satchels, moved into the light. I greeted a rugged looking, young man, who apologizing, in broken English, for interrupting us. He said he and his friends were looking for a place to camp since darkness had caught them still 18km short of Barrydale. His friend, a older bearded man then also moved into the light. A while later another young man appeared with an equally laden bicycle.

No, Khasha Mongo Restaurant and Boutique hasn't changed hands, only the name has been changed to "M's". Martina and Klaus Stocker explained that they were looking for a name with more impact, something to draw attention to their restaurant/ boutique in the heart of Barrydale and they settled on the bright yellow sign with a simple name.

Martina left Germany ten years ago to settle in South Africa. She met Klaus while he was on vacation from Germany. After deciding they wanted to be together and live in South Africa Klaus, a master goldsmith and designer,  returned to Germany and sold up his gallery and family home which the family had lived in for 350 years.

 
On his return Klaus and Martina set up a guesthouse in Somerset West and three years ago moved to Barrydale. The fresh Karoo air, the leisurelyvillage  pace and the beauty of the surroundings suit both Martina (an amateur photographer who takes exquisite photographs) and Klaus. When asked if they miss Europe they both say they have settled very happily in Africa and enjoy their photographic excursions into more remote areas where they camp and relax before returning to their busy life at M's on Route 62.

www.khasha-mongo.info

Winter is assuredly upon us, with its frequent frosty mornings and golden, sunny days. In the Western Cape, winter is (supposed to be) the rainy season, the time when many of our songbirds start making nests and breeding. Prominent among these is the Cape Robin, and the Barrydale members of this species are already getting quite flirty and singing with increasing virtuosity from every vantage point around their territories.  The robin that owns our garden incorporates imitations of several other birds’ songs into his repertoire, including that of the Didric Cuckoo (which is absent at this time of year).  As a general rule, Cape Robin-Chats are not as given to mimicry as are the other African robin-chats, so it is more of an individual talent. The late Dr C.J. Skead, famed ornithologist of the Eastern Cape, made a list in his bedside notebook of all the species calls imitated in dawn song by his local Cape Robin in Grahamstown. The list reached a total of 74 different birdcalls before, sadly, the bird fell victim to a hit-and-run driver in the street outside.

A delightful little retail haven "Green Sunshine" has recently opened in the Watercourt Lodge complex on the R62 in Barrydale.

Owner Heidi Fourie says "The secret to Green Sunshine is personal care, product knowledge on tap, and most important, reasonable prices. My motto is that everybody should be able to cook for themselves a good nutritious meal that ensures physical strength, a positive mind, attitude and output for the day. The fun part is the experience cooking brings whether for yourself, your loved ones or when entertaining friends. This niche was created out of basic needs;  what is scarce in Barrydale, how to get it here, reasonable prices to suit the economy. I want people to be satisfied when they leave".

Heidi studied Food and Clothing Technology and started out as a cook in Franschoek.  Due to the long hours that the job entailed she decided to change direction and became a food marketer for one of her suppliers.

Heidi says "Most of the products I stock I have sold over the years and have been in their factories. I have gained knowledge through my years of marketing in the diverse markets of food, medical and the financial industries. 

The DA is raising funds by having a Musical Revue with Alvon Collison at the Karoolkie .

Date: 9 July 2010

Time: 07h00

Bar and soup available.

Tickets at Negosiegat or phone Emma Schoeman 028 5721122. Please support us as we need funds!