What a fabulous Easter bank holiday weekend we had. The Saturday street market in Llanidloes was busy and vibrant with holiday makers shopping and enjoying spring in the beautiful weather, which was great for local businesses. Streams of cyclists, motor bikers and convoys of classic cars came through Tylwch, as the B road is quiet with spectacular views and for the cyclists, challenging hills.

It is a shame that the verges of our roads in Montgomeryshire are not always very welcoming with rubbish strewn from cars and in our vicinity, litter blown from the county tip. Some public-spirited walkers picked up several bags of cans, bottles, crisp packets and take away packaging on the B4518 a few weeks ago and we clear up the verges as we walk stock between fields, but it would be great if everyone took their litter home. Our countryside is our selling point and it is important that we present Montgomeryshire at its best.

What a difference a week has made. As I write this, we have had one and half inches of rain and the wind is cold and rough. Lambs are hiding in the shelter of hedges and cattle, who went out of the sheds last week, are calling for food. Farming in the UK and especially upland Wales is a constant challenge, or should I say battle.

Now lambing is over it is time to fill in the Single Farm Payment form by May 15. Luckily this year there are few changes in the layout of our farm, but it is always stressful making sure everything is correct.

If you are interested in the Glastir Small Grant (landscape and pollinators), Glastir Woodland Creation Grant or Glastir Woodland Restoration Grant the expression of interest window close on May 10. These grants are very useful if you want to undertake small environmental works.

Finally, if you are interested in the Sustainable Management Scheme or Food Business Scheme the expression of Interest window closes on June 11.

I hope the May Day Bank Holiday weather is good as we have a hoard of children coming for the weekend for our twin grandsons' eighth birthday. Luckily we have a troop of pet lambs to entertain them.