Horizontal sleet. Dusk falling. Scudding clouds. North wind gusting at 50mph, bitter February cold. Remote part of Cumbrian coast. No sign of human habitation. 10 miles walked, seeking shelter. Lonely farmhouse, with an astonishing sign: Afternoon Tea. Knocked forlornly, imagining it was left over from the summer. Door opened, beaming man, log fire, come in, have a cuppa, said he. This could not be true! Unsurprisingly, I was their only customer that day. Tea, buttered crumpets, homemade jam, lashings of cream…Plus a cricket bat in the corner inscribed with the England greats from the 1970s.

When I tried to pay, no way, said he, that’s on us, keep walking for your cause.

Sticks on your mind. Kindness which can’t really be reciprocated. (Rating them 5 stars feels inadequate.) I’ll go back one day. Meanwhile refer everyone to the place.

We can all do this, sometimes.