On the road again: Fish Eagles Lair, Albert Falls Dam, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

This is definitely the most rustic place we have ever stayed - as close to camping as we'll get on this journey of ours. It is probably the most memorable too - we absolutely loved it!

We were supposed to stay in The Owl's Nook but were 'upgraded' to The Fish Eagle's Lair - a double storey wooden structure with tent flaps as walls.

There are two bedrooms - upstairs has a double bed and an amazing view of what used to be the dam but is now a green meadow where farm animals feed. Downstairs another bedroom with a double bed and bathroom, kitchen area, fireplace and two single beds.

The surrounding area is absolutely beautiful and amazingly peaceful. All you will hear is the occasional moo from a cow, the birds and at night, just the insects. We slept like angels with the tenant flaps rolled up and the cool breeze flowing through the room - it was bliss!

We had lots of fun waiting for the kettle to boil (it takes about 20 minutes on the gas stove), sitting in the sun looking at the birds (there are loads of them on the fields), taking walks where the dam used to be and adding wood to the fire (both inside and outside - to heat the geyser).

This really is a magical little place and the ideal spot to go to when you want to forget about all the daily stresses of modern life.

Great features:

* Stunning view

* Lots of birds and farm animals

* Peace and quiet

* No locks on the doors. No doors to be specific. Just zip down the flap and sleep peacefully

* Fireplace for those chilly nights

* No tv, radio or wifi - the perfect place to forget all the technology and get in touch with your soul and nature

* You can laugh and have fun with all the 'Not so great features' listed below, these are what make Fish Eagle's Lair unique and made the trip even better and more memorable for us!

Not so great features:

* The bathroom is really tiny, you can brush your teeth and wash your face while you are on the loo and you'll bump your elbows more than once in the shower.

* No hot water pressure (we're not sure if this is because of the drought or because the outdoor geyser is at the same level as the pipes instead of above them). Take a bucket and a sponge so you can you clean up in the shower. Ladies - leave the liquid face-wash at home and pack in some facial wipes.

* There is no electricity - the stove and freezer are gas and all the lights are solar powered - take a torch and or a lantern for at night because it gets quite dark inside and you will need it when you make your way up the steps to the top bedroom

* There is no fridge - only a chest freezer which will freeze your food and milk. Take a cooler box and ice-trays/those blue blocks and keep the food you don't want frozen in there.

* The kitchen sink is really low. Let the shortest person do the dishes to avoid back-ache. On that note, we only found half a broom so they will have to do the sweeping too.

* The gas stove is on the counter and really high. Get the tallest person to do the cooking as they will be able to see what's going on in the pot.

* The mattresses upstairs and on the single beds downstairs cave down in the middle. We put the ones from the downstairs beds on our bed for extra support - this did not help! One of you has to help push the other one out of the hollow first and then they can give you hand from there. Regardless of this though, you will have the best sleep ever!

Price: Very reasonable. We think so anyway. (Less than R500 per person)

Would we go back: Definitely! Next time though we want to stay in the smaller unit The Owl's Nook - perfect for couples and has an outdoor shower so you won't bump your elbows :-)

Recommended for: Couples / families / anyone who really appreciates nature and the simple things in life

The host/s: The owner is wonderful. He has such great energy and was very welcoming and kind to us.

For more information and bookings:
www.fisheagleslair.co.za