Beltane, the high point of Spring growth, has passed. And suddenly, it feels different - winter dormancy is over and vibrant spring growth is everywhere.
Most of the trees are now in leaf, each with its distinctive shade of green. The swallows and martins are back. And the verges, hedgerows and woodland floors are bursting into colour as wildflowers thrust themselves into the strengthening sun.
We've finished lambing now and its great to see the ewes enjoying the fresh grass and the lambs gambolling through the fields. Much of our attention has been focussed on the market garden - its a busy time getting the beds ready and planted up as in our short growing season every day of sun counts. We've taken our first harvests of over-wintered brassicas, early salad crops and a precious few spears of asparagus.