We almost didn’t make it but the fates were kind, and the (Michelin) star aligned at the very last minute.

Teko still isn’t completely 100% and it could be that breakfast is to blame – or a stomach flu. Given that, it was touch and go whether we’d be able to do anything today, which for better or worse was turning out to be an even more beautiful day than yesterday. We tried to go to a nearby viewing point after breakfast this morning but had to turn back soon after due to health reasons, and it was anybody’s guess if we’d do another attempt later on. Not that our hotel was a gulag but staying in two days in a row while on holiday can get slightly depressing.

After a couple of hours rest, Teko felt he was stable enough to try again, upon which I suggested a late lunch, at a place I’ve had my eye on for a few months now, in Cartmel 30 minutes away if he was up to it. After a few non-verbal miscommunication missteps, and fingers crossed, we were off.

Rogan & Co had a 12-2 p.m. window for lunch, which meant that if we left at 12:30 we could possibly make it on time. We drove off a few minutes after and with no traffic congestion made it to Cartmel just past 1, and after a challenge with getting coins for the parking meter – yes, coins! – we passed through the doors of Rogan & Co, were greeted by a helpful maitre’d, and got seated no more than a minute later. Wonderfully, the staff was great, the food was terrific, and the atmosphere fit for any Michelin environment.

If there’s something else I very much appreciate, the efficiency of service here is so much higher when compared with that in The Netherlands. Our meal lasted just over an hour whereas the same meal would have lasted twice as long back home.

If only the stars aligned over there as well.