If you've ever travelled up the West Coast on a Friday afternoon and returned on a Sunday, you'll know what I mean when I say that a short trip out west is as good as a long holiday. Perhaps it's because the scenery it so dramatically different to Cape Town — or anywhere else for that matter; it could be the refreshing effect of the salt and sand on your face that distracts you from those city blues. Or maybe it's the mesmerising laid-back attitude of the locals that forces you to unwind…

We left Cape Town rather late on Friday and as we approached our destination — Vensterklip, 200 kilometres from Cape Town just outside the surfing bolthole of Elands Bay — we had absolutely no idea where we were, the increasingly heavy fog enveloping our car.

We phoned our host Lana Robertson for some help.

"Just look for the vlei," she said, "you can't miss it". Needless to say that it was non-existent in the fog.

Rustic oasis

The next morning we realised what she meant. We had spent the night in the old pump house which overlooks Verlorenvlei — the 'lost marsh' in Afrikaans — a huge natural paradise in a somewhat barren area.

Our two-bedroom cottage, which was rather colossal just for the two of us, had its own fireplace, fully-equipped kitchen and a massive stoep and garden.

Breakfast was prepared by Linda — who has worked with co-owner and chef Albert Robertson for over 15 years at the Famous Butcher's Grill — and was served in the original 'barn' (now known as 'The Tin Kitchen'), complete with roaring fire.

Surprisingly, this rustic West Coast farm breakfast was an indulgent affair. Eggs and bacon with whole-wheat homemade bread never tasted so good — probably because most of the 'organic' meal came from produce on the farm itself. So I'm converted — nothing beats farm-made.

Lana showed us around some of the farm built in the early 1800s, which originally belonged to the Louw family.

"Everyone here is a Louw or an Engelbrecht," Lana informed us.

The harsh climate doesn't make it easy to farm and the Louw family settled on planting lentils and legumes as a source of income, but eventually they were forced to sell.

Bird watching paradise

Vensterklip consists of a few meticulously restored cottages, each tastefully renovated to retain the character of the original building. A campsite with ablutions and a well-kitted communal lapa — with couches and big screen for the rugby-loving locals — is a popular drawcard for weekend getaways.

Lana and Albert plan to build more cottages on the farm, but the area is particularly eco-sensitive which means it's also guarded with passion by the community — the vlei being home to an array of indigenous fauna and flora. Species like the Cape Clawless Otter, Purple Gallinule and the Verlorenvlei Redfin are found here. So naturally when they do build, they want the cottages to be as "green" as possible.

The Robertsons have also worked closely with CapeNature to protect the vlei and to establish it as a hotspot for bird watching. CapeNature has built a hide on the farm where bird lovers can view some rare birdlife up close, the lake being home to 246 different bird species including the African fish eagle, Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Caspian Tern and Great Crested Grebe amongst others.

A wealth of activities

We decided a paddle on the lake was a must. Serenity has never been so close, the water was motionless except for a few pelicans flapping nearby and a few other species of bird out enjoying the morning. Verlorenvlei certainly is a bird-watching heaven.

Besides canoeing and bird watching the area surrounding Vensterklip offers visitors a wealth of exciting activities. You can surf Eland's Bay's famous left-hand break, admire the flowers in flower season, go hiking, horse riding, cycling or just stroll along the expansive stretch of beach.

In the afternoon we cycled out towards Vensterklip — the rock formation that lent its name to the farm. Take note though, viewing is best from the road unless you are a hardcore sand enthusiast, even so, the thorns will test your patience... Walking is recommended instead. The rock formation itself is somewhat of a marvel of creation.

The delightful thing about this the area is that you can admire rock formations on your mountain bike in the early afternoon and then be on the beach in time for sundowners on the beach, and perhaps even a quick surf before sunset — if you're brave enough that is.

The local 'wildlife'

In the evening we met at the bar which is rather quaint but marvellously decorated, and chatted to Lana, Linda and the locals... We were so enthralled by the conversation that we almost forgot about dinner. Again, the roaring fire and intimate service with a smile was welcomed.

There are always a couple of choices on the menu. The first night we opted for ostrich steak and burgers complete with salad and chips, and on the Saturday night we both opted for spatchcock chicken. The meals are unfussy but leave you with warm with a sense of coming home after a long absence...

Heading to the bar after dinner we were thoroughly amused by the local 'wildlife' (kitted out with headlamps, Crocs and beanies) cluttered around the bar, teaching the unassuming bartenders how to make Springbok shooters.

It takes moments like these for you to really appreciate where you have landed yourself. Vensterklip certainly is an absolute gem of a find.