This is a day that is a speciality of the East Coast and not one where you would willingly put your head above the parapet. A bitterly cold nor'easter blows in across the North Sea from the Arctic, a wind that so sharp that it would cut a person in two without drawing blood. Out at sea a pumping barge is at anchor, battling to hold its own. I'm off now to find a good warm fire, good company and a pint of Adnams.