It's 06.30 on a wet Thursday morning in November. Outside, it's Croydon. But snuggled up inside one's warm duvet, it might as well be Hawaii. How to make these two worlds collide? And, more importantly, how to leave Hawaii behind and face the reality of East Croydon station? It's a tough one, one must confess.

Now, at last, a reality-inducing answer is upon us, courtesy of those good old peeps at Oregon Scientific. Introducing the Sunrise Alarm Clock - a clock which simulates sunrise in your bedroom, in order to gently wake your body at the pre-designated time. Light-intensity can even be set to your own personal standards.

So having been gently co-erced awake, the thinking is that one will be ready to face the challenges of the day, namely Croydon and all that entails. All of which sounds jolly well thought out to us.