ROGER MALONE

at 6am to Radio Four’s Today Programme there was no time for such niceties. The alarm kicks off, allowing just enough time for a quick mug of tea, hurried bowl of porridge, and a grateful lift to the station in time to catch the train.

In clement conditions this would present itself as a pleasant prospect. But, clearly, this has not been the choice week for clement conditions. Storm Diana was about to make her presence felt.

Monday’s journey was a delightful lull before the storm. As the Penzance to Paddington HST rolled out of Plymouth at 7.45am darkness