S1 - Ep 345 - Barkly West - A Fascinating Experience and a True Treasure!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2023
- Our trip to Barkly West was filled with delightful surprises and historical wonders. As we made our way to the town, we were captivated by the sight of a picturesque lake teeming with vibrant birdlife, setting the perfect tone for our visit. Upon reaching the outskirts of the town, we saw a magnificent old steel bridge, which was constructed back in 1885 as the first bridge spanning the Vaal River. Exploring the adjacent building, which was once a Museum and before that a Tollhouse, was a fascinating experience, despite us being disheartened by its vandalised state. Continuing our exploration, we ventured to the abandoned caravan park, a relic of days gone by. The train station proved to be another highlight, as we encountered a very long train parked, with the driver catching a well-deserved nap. However, the true treasure was discovering the Parish Church of St Mary, a gem from 1871. Stepping inside, we felt privileged to immerse ourselves in the rich history contained within its hallowed walls. #DustBugs #adventuretravel #southafrica #southafricavlog #travelongravel #northerncape #barklywest
Instagram
/ dustbugstravel
Facebook
/ dustbugstravel
The Leap by Sapajou | / sapajoubeats
Music promoted by www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
![[TH] VCT Masters Shanghai Playoffs DAY 3 // FNC vs FUT | EDG vs PRX](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pw2T5v0ogDI/mqdefault.jpg)
Amazing video. Thank you for sorting the 'e' out- I would do exactly the same!
Glad you enjoyed this one! 🚙👌🏻 Yes, my darling wife would have none of the ambiguity surrounding the spelling of the name of the town! 🥰🔠
Absolutely fascinating!
Indeed. We're in agreement! 🚙😁
Just so amazing Loved it great 👌👌✌️✌️😎😎💯💯❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you, happy to hear! 👌🏻💎
Barkly West is, as you say "a true treasure". I know the town well and enjoyed the experience of this visit.
The lake and the old bridge and train - what a bonus. Quite a lot of militry activity happened there.
Amazing that the stone buildings last for ever - like the old Information/museum building. The old Anglican
church was really stunning to see inside. The town really has all the facilities you need in a town of this size.
A video well done - thank you. Sad you did not bring us diamonds to Strand!! How can I do otherwise to look forward
to the next trip- my set is definitely booked
It was a cool visit to Barkly West, there was something interesting to look for or look at the entire time we were in town. Interesting to read a few comments about military activity in the area. We saw no sign of it, but obviously didn't know where to look. The bridge, the bridge, the bridge! I can go on forever about that bridge and the stone building, they blew our minds! 🚙😍 The long train we also loved, that's something we haven't seen a lot of at all on our travels. Now if it were moving, we would've probably driven next to it for a good long while! 😁🚉 The Anglican Church, the first north of the Vaal, was super special to see inside and I do hope it will be fixed up one day soon, it certainly deserves to be. 💒 Off-camera, I did dig a little in the area and I brought home some loot, but not enough to share! 😁💎 See you in the next one!
What a well built bridge over the Vaal. Good old English engineering. I am not surprised that Sonja was a bit hesitant for you to drive over that bridge. It did look a bit dicey. The museum building and that bridge must have seen some action during the Boer War. Curtis found us a train and what a long line of wagons. Three loco's to pull them. The Anglican church was very neat and tidy. Such a shame that the bell was stolen. Klipdrift as we well know is a famous SA brandewyn. Probably named after Barkly West's Boer name. Sadly no drone footage this time. Those three silos looked like they were full of mielies.A lekker dorpie but most people probably just zoom past.
We just loved that beautiful old steel bridge, the first to span the Vaal! I'm so happy that it still looks in such good shape. Granted, the road on it did look a bit dodgy in places, but still completely passable with slow going, which is absolutely no problem for us! 🚙😁 The long train was super cool to see too! While there will always be sporadic drone shots in our videos, they'll never be in every single one of them. I very often forget too since Droney is safely stashed away out of direct sunlight most of the time. I'm glad we didn't just zoom by, Barkly West is indeed a very interesting little place. 💒💎
PEET,HIdaar, in 2022 Feb,op pad na Langebaan via Kimberly, het ons eers afgedraai na Barkly West op die pad wat my oorlede pa aan gehelp bou het ,n nostalgiese rit. Die ouer garde het altyd van die diggins op daardie diamant velde gepraat,van daar die hope gruis, van vol hoop prospekteerders.Ons geniet jul toere, doen so foort, groete .
How interesting! Those diggings the older folks referred to, are probably those at Canteen Kopje then. I so wish I could've gotten closer, but there was just no way there by vehicle, that we could find. 🤷🏻♂️💎 I can only imagine how nostalgic a journey it must've been to travel on a road your late dad help built. That is super special, good on you for doing that in his honour. 👌🏻🛣️
Starting our day again by visiting Barkly West with you guys. I just love the way you get to all the interesting things about every town. Also loved the bridge and the long train. Where shall I stop!
Your list of things which you enjoyed in Barkly West sounds as long as ours and that's fantastic! 👌🏻The bridge was awesome and found a special place in our hearts. 😍 The long train was something we don't often get to see and you know we always want to see trains! 😁🚉 Barkly West for sure delivered in the interesting department and we're so glad you enjoyed it too. The places we visit, without a single exception, never cease to amaze us on so many levels! 🚙🤩
I just loved the two episodes of Kimberley and Barkly West. Although I am living in Pretoria since 1979, I did my basic military training in Kimberley in 1970. In 1972 I did my Section Commander Course at Smitsdrif, which is a military training area near Barkly West. Thanks for the memories.
Thank you, I'm happy to hear you enjoyed these two episodes. You clearly know the towns and surrounding areas very well and I hope that some of those basic training memories are good ones! It's great that you explored present-day Kimberley and Barkly West with us two, it was fun having you on board! 🚙😁
What a beautiful dam! And so full of birds. Its good to see. I am blown away by your discovery of the old bridge! What a find! Rather spooky, cruising around the dead resort. Really full of sadness. Aha! Found the station. Yay! Dis n donderse lang trein!! Station also has air of sadness. The library has so much interesting history. So glad to get a look inside the Anglican church. So beautiful.Lovely warm atmosphere, I would love to attend church there. We really cant blame people for locking up the church when things like the bells get stolen! Ah yes! The name Klipdrift rings a Bell! Bells? No, man! Thats whiskey! Klippies is brandy! Wasnt a very important diamond found here by a child? Wonderful how you guys find so many interesting places steeped in history. Bring it on!!
I've seldom, if ever, seen that many birds on and at a random body of water next to quite a busy road like that one. There must've been thousands of them! 😳🐦 The old steel bridge completely stole our hearts and if we could fold it up and pack it into the Kwiddie, we would've done so! 🤩 It was incredible to see the intricate details and the immaculate workmanship which still stands so tall and proud after all these years. I actually wish I could go for a walk on it right now. We were stoked when we saw that loooong train, that was super cool! I felt sadness while inside the Anglican Church and I do hope that it will be restored one day soon. 💒😍 I only know about the first alluvial diamond found here, but don't recall reading anything about a diamond found by a child in this area. I used to love brandy (never whisky!), but prefer the lighter hopsy stuff nowadays! Cheers! 😁🍻 We're amazed ourselves that each and every place we rock up at on any random day, has so much to offer. We shall not stop exploring! 🚙
@@DustBugsTravel I really hope you will never stop exploring. My place on your backseat is booked!
The locomotives were diesel so not running on electricity
Hi Dustbugs, thank your once again , Sonja my heart stopped crossing that bridge, you are brave. Curtis sure has driving skills . Thank you once again for an amazing road trip 🚙🚙🚙🥰
That bridge was just too beautiful not to drive over. The road surface had fallen in in two spots if I remember correctly, but concrete slabs had been placed over the holes to cover them up for the most part, so we were just fine! 🚙😁 Sonia is super brave, I'm so proud of her! 🥰 Happy to hear you enjoyed our visit to Barkly West!
WOW How Barkley West Has Changed I Haven't Been There For About Thirty Years But Watching Your Video I also Found It A Beautiful Fascinating Visit As Well But In Those Years It Wasn't So Built Up Like In Your Video Now It Was A Lot Of Farms And The Beautiful Rivers Dams Were Full And No Potholes In The Road Thank You So Much For Sharing Your Beautiful Video At Barkley West A Beautiful Fascinating Very Interesting Video @ Dustbugs Travel 👍👍🎥🎥📸📸📷📷👍👍❤️❤️
I'm glad you enjoyed our visit to Barkly West, we thought it was a super interesting place. The roads didn't bother us too much either, I think we may be used to them already. 🤷🏻♂️🛣️ The lake with all the birds was spectacular to see, it is clearly a birder's paradise! Thanks for joining us! 🚙😁
@@DustBugsTravel Hi Everyone @ Dustbugs Travel You Are Very Welcome It Is A Birders Paradise Some Beautiful Birds There You Are So Right Thank You So Much For Your Beautiful Message And Comment Too @ Dustbugs Travel 👍👍🎥🎥📷📷📸📸👍👍❤️❤️
Who is the artist of the music you're playing at Barkly west church? I love it.
The track is by Sapajou and is entitled 'The Leap'. I'm glad you enjoyed the tunes! 💒🎶
Hi guys a small place with a big history going back to prehistoric times from the top class library with the skull amazing. To the iron bridge 1st across the Vaal River the absolutely stunning thatched Anglecan church ( I've never seen one like it simple but charming) I must mention the DRF church was also unusual. Nice to see the soup kitchen is helping the poor funny story about the bowls the drive in was so interesting the birds on the dam crossing the bridge the old caravan park with toll House national Park. We'll spotted Sonia the flooding lines that train was so long the drivers feet made me laugh glad you able to find the station signs it's all valuable history. A real surprise and three firsts amazing place and a first for me with the church. The drivers feet reminds me of the train driver in Bray we got chatting and were having a good drink Well away he says to me I'm off to work now I said but you've had a lot of drink he winked and said on its easy it's a straight line only in Ireland. Thanks for taking me along cheerio till the next one
The Anglican Church filled me with some sorrow, my wish for it is that it is restored in the near future. Such incredible character in that building which must be preserved. 💒 The iron bridge over the Vaal was next level incredible! Such a beautiful example of workmanship back in the day and it still looks stunning! That dam with the birdlife was quite something, there must've been thousands and thousands of birds there! 🐦 The train driver's shoes in the window gave us a good chuckle too! 🤣 Funny story about the winking Irish train driver having knocked down a few and still went to drive the train. I hope he got the passengers to their destination safely!
Held my breath but secretely delighted that you drove across the old bridge 4:46 !! Sad to see that the museum is completely stripped (but not altogether surprising right 🙄 - what a fascinating stop👍)
We fell in love with the old bridge at first sight! 😍 There was a spot or two where the road surface wasn't great, but we made it over and across just fine! Twice! I just couldn't resist. 😁 I agree, the little stone building was a sad sight. So unreal to see the outside in such good shape and nothing left inside. 😥🏛️
@@DustBugsTravel 🤞
Was in the army in Kimberley 1988, during that time Barkly West and Douglas was effected by big floods. That resort was opened 1983 , think they were effected by floods often hence the reason I think that they are closed. You also showed 2 dates of floods.
You must know the area well then! I would imagine being so close to the Vaal, they would've been subjected to the occasional flood. Those flood levels looked rather high to me, so I would think a lot of damage would've been caused by those. 😨🌊 The caravan park has clearly not been operational for many, many years. I wouldn't be surprised if they closed down somewhere in the 80's or 90's. There is literally only a few braais and power boxes left. It must've been a pretty place, it's sad to see. 😥
The dam you saw just outside Kimberley is the Kamfers dam and I can remember there is a history about the flamingos in the dam and the receding level of water but I am not sure of the exact facts. In the 80's I saw many many flamingos there. I have never been to Barkly West but that caravan park must have been a beauty. The history of these towns are so enormous..
Thanks for the info! 👌🏻Another viewer also said it's the Kamfer Dam and I found some info on Wikipedia about it. I believe it's become a major breeding site for the lesser flamingo because of a man-made island in the body of water. 🐦🌊 There were thousands of birds there that day, but I gather from your comment that there were even more when you were there in the 80's. I did see something about some ecological controversy, but I didn't read that far. 🤷🏻♂️ I agree with you, that caravan park must've been a fantastic place, it was rather sad to see that nothing is left. 😥🏕️
Kamfersdam is on the other side towards Warrenton. Flamingo casino have been built close to it. I heard that it have dried up due to Municipality negligence. This dam is between Kimberley and Barkly West towards Platfontein. Also heard that its caused due to sewer spillage and that they are going to do new water pipelines in that area.
Interesting....😊
Dis n GROOT SKANDE dat die dorpe so verpletter word with so much HISTORY
Yup, agreed. The decay and the decline are very sad to observe and evident in most of the places we get to visit. And even sadder that it occurs within a country with such an abundance of natural and other beauty. ❤️🇿🇦
What a brilliant episode.
Thank you, I'm always happy to hear that! 🚙😁
Did the train stop for loadshedding?🤣
If it weren't for the idling sounds I heard, I would've said for sure! 😁
It is so interesting to watch some of the areas that I have not been to. Thanks to both of you ❤
Thank you! We're so happy to be taking you to places you may not have known before. 🚙🤩
hI you two! Greetings from the Waterberg foothills with the WFI allowing me to see only your view of the dam. I don't know if my message will even reach you but it is: keep going with your wonderful travels I might join you again in a week or so
Keep safe!
You enjoy your own travels and trips and join us again just when you feel like it! You know you're always welcome. Until we chat again, have a fantastic time! 🚙🤩
Loved the drive over the old steel bridge. Another classic backseat visit with you. I'll be joining your R9.99 subscription for sure. ❤🎉❤
That old steel bridge! We were instantaneously in love with it and still think back to it often, it was super special! 😍 As always, it is great fun when you join our backseat! 🚙😁 Thank you, it will be great if you become a member of our channel. You will notice a little badge next to your avatar which will show you're a member and the colour will change the longer you remain a member. 😊
Subscription done!!! I been here from the beninging....makes perfect sense to me 🚙🚘🚗🚗🚘🚙 toot toot
How I wish you guys found the oldest cemetery of the NG church in Barkly West ! Ek het gekyk en gekyk en gehoop …
My paternal grandparents born late 1800’s are resting there…
I SO WISH for a photo …
I think that dam is called Kamfersdam
Awesome, thank you for the info! 👌🏻
Kamfersdam is outside Kimberley on the way to Gauteng. The Flamingo casino have been built close by Kamfersdam. But I heard Kamfersdam have dried up. It seems to me this is the pan between Kimberley and Barkly West at Platfontein
post 1994 the "e" fell away, firstly on the road signs.
Interesting info, so it used to be BarklEy West before. Thanks for clearing that one up! 👌🏻
Those Vendas at the entrance of the cbd were Koisan not Vendas😂
We thought we saw some red Kalahari sand on their shoes! 😁
Zo ik ben weer terug ‘aan boord’. Je hebt helemaal gelijk Curtis, het is een groot voorrecht om als Europeaan zo dichtbij vele andere landen te wonen en binnen no time in een geheel andere wereld te zijn. In het Zweedse Stockholm was het goed toeven ondanks de hoge bier en wijn prijzen. Zuid-Afrika heeft als voordeel dat er zoveel diversiteit is qua landschap, dorpen, kerken, monumenten, dieren en inwoners dat je eindeloos in eigen land op vakantie kan. Mooi begin deze episode met de vele vogels in het water, het leek even op het leven op een Waddeneiland. Meteen daarna die prachtige oude brug, absoluut een hoogtepunt en wat goed dat de DustBug er zo overheen reed, liefst 139 jaar na de bouw ervan. Dat is nog eens kwaliteit, hopelijk blijft het markante monument nog vele jaren in tact. Het stadje van deze aflevering ziet er netjes uit, erg aardig dat je in 1 kerk binnen mocht kijken terwijl de Dutch One de poort gesloten hield. Tenminste ook ik vermoed dat het om een NG kerk gaat gezien het type bouw. Mooi dat in de - keurige!- bibliotheek wat items van de geschiedenis tentoongesteld worden. Bij dat treinstation op weg naar het bord was ik toch wel blij dat je er zonder kleerscheuren af kwam want die honden blaften nog gevaarlijk op de achtergrond … ik heb daar zelf wat angst voor want bij boerderijen in ons land lopen ze nogal eens los en rennen op voorbijgangers af. Straks de 2 weekend afleveringen alsnog bekijken en gereed om morgen weer op de dag zelf mee te reizen 👍🚘
I'm glad you enjoyed your time in Stockholm! High beer prices are never a good thing though! 🤨🍻 We're still loving exploring South Africa and would like to see as much of our own country as we can. 🚙🇿🇦 The birds at that dam, which we now know is the Kamfers Dam, were incredible to see and so many of them! And then the bridge which we both fell instantly in love with, together with its tollhouse guardian. We could've easily spent more time there, it's so quiet and peaceful there. 😍 The church and the library were also great to see and of course the long train made our visit to Barkly West a very interesting one. My fear of big dogs is very real, I'm rather safe than sorry. 😨🐕
I was born and raised there. Its so sad to see how Barkley has degraded at the hand of corruption 😢
It was our first visit, so we had no prior point of reference. For us as tourists, it was a rather interesting place to explore. We especially found the three firsts of Barkly West very cool. Thank you for watching our video of your old hometown! 🚙😊
@@DustBugsTravel thanks for the great video. You would've loved how beautiful it was back in the day, especially the resort and water park at the river.
My cousin still stays in Kimberley and is a PF. I am busy finding out about the dam and will come back to you. Apparantly the sewer water have now dammed up to close where I used to stay next to the Drive inn at Heuwelsig.
Ok just got a message back from my aunt. Kamfersdam is still in existance, busy flooding with sewer water running over the road and the railway track is basically now in the middle of the dam due to the overflow. And there are no more flamingos or bird life at Kamfersdam. Still awaiting if my cousin can give us more info on this dam.
Thank you for the info. When we stopped at Kamfers Dam in late July, there were literally thousands of birds and it would be a very sad day if the birdlife move away because of human incompetence. Fingers crossed the entire situation will be resolved before any irreparable damage is caused to the ecosystem in the area. 😥🦆
Answer back from my cousin - yes this is towards Platfontein. It's sewer water - burst pipes that have caused this damming up and the Flamingos from Kamfersdam have now moved to this pans. They actually had to lift the road at this stretch due to this problem.
Thanks this videos brings back lots of good memories. Just heartsore seeing the state of all these places that use to be in such good, beautiful, enjoyable conditions. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Unfortunately, that "lake" is not a lake at all. Sadly, it's drain water from nearby settlements and suburbs. The pump station doesn't work as it should be & at one stage the road was only 1 lane. Pity you missed the Vaal River on the other side of the town, also the Jannie Roux's Childrens home, who has a long history with Barkly West. Next time, get the river boat started :-).
Sad to all these small town falling apart. (My in-laws are from Barkly West)
Just another first and only. In the 1970's I used to rep the area for standard bank. at that time the bank branch was licensed as a diamond dealer.. The only bank branch in the country to be registered. They used to have a lot of diamond dealings in those days.
If you travel out on the Postmasburg road 45 km out as you climb a hill next to Ulco lime mine. you can stop and cast a 360 degree view all round . It is the biggest part of SA you will ever see on a road. In all directions the landscape simply disappears into infinity.
That is wildly interesting, thank you so much for sharing all that interesting info! 😳💎🏦 It would make sense that the first and only bank in the country to be registered as a diamond dealer happened to be in the place the first alluvial diamond was discovered. I will most certainly try to remember to take that road when in the area next, just to take in that 360 view. It sounds incredible!
The dam was in the news because the water source came from the sewage that flowed from Kimberley to the dam. It's due to failing ANC infrastructure that we have it.
That's sad for the abundant birdlife there, I hope that it was resolved or gets resolved soon. 🐦😥 Thank you for the info.
Ons het altyd daar gaan piekniek tussen 1992 - 1994. Daar was ook 'n versteende boomstomp in die park. So sleg om die plek so te sien
I wasn't aware of the fossilised tree, but I imagine that is also no more. 🌳🤷🏻♂️ I have no doubt that you had some good times there, it must've been a delight to visit back in the day.
@@DustBugsTravel yes it was a lovely place. There are also rock paintings along the riverbed. A bit to long back to explain now to get there. But it also use to be a heritage site.
@@DustBugsTravel the pan between Kimberley and Barkly West could be the pan on Platfontein. The original owner of Platfontein was Mnr Van der Westhuizen. I worked for an Electrical Company D & D Electrical in Kimberley between 1993 - 1994 and we use to do all the electrical installations at Platfontein. Mr Van der Westhuizen's body was mummyfied and placed in a special little "room" at Platfontein and we use to do the electrical maintenance there as well. There is so much history in that area. I use to rent close to the Tower in Kimberley and eventually bought a house in the then last street of Kimberley on the way to Douglas. I was so heartsore when we moved out of Kimberley back to Gauteng. I also use to work for Northern Cape Mental Health as Secretary and was promoted to Executive Secretary for Yonder - the then Mental Instute. Yonder was situated at Kenilworth - also full of history and very old houses and an old church
I wonder if the trains have to also stop running during load shedding? Seems possible, given it was just standing there, and you arrived during load shedding?
I'm no expert, but two of the three engines were running while we passed, it may not have been that clear on the video though. My thought is that loadshedding doesn't affect the trains, but I'm really not sure. 🤷🏻♂️🚉
@@DustBugsTravel I would've thought not before seeing these two events, together, and I think you're probably right about it not affecting the trains. (The engines would be diesel electric, so wouldn't be absolutely dependent on Eskom to keep going.)
More than likely one of those "sychronizing stops" a train driver has to make at times. Maybe he had to wait for an arriving empty train to pass or something like that.
(One of my friends is a German woman - just officially - since I think her heart still belongs to South Africa - who managed to make a new beginning in life driving trains there. The training is quite intense. Took her a while to pass the tests and exams. Cool seeing the view from a train waiting somewhere nice for another train to pass, online.)
What a pity that places of history must be neglected and vandalized like that
I agree. It is indeed very sad to see places of historical value and significance not being taken care of and preserved for future generations. 😥
Iron ore
You'll have to say more than just that so that I know what you mean. 🤷🏻♂️
😢Not a dam but it sewerage water
Locomotives
Similarly to your previous comment, I'm not sure what you're trying to say. 🤷🏻♂️
So sad to see these places so dilapidated. We used to go camping at that resort quite often, it used to be wonderful.
I can only imagine how beautiful it must've been back in the day. The location is absolutely wonderful. 🌳🌊 I'm sure you had some fun times there. 🏡🏕️