After last week’s Spring-like weather, this cold snap has been a shock to us all, and it doesn’t seem as if it will be disappearing for a while.

The cows enjoy being out at grass during the day, but wouldn’t like the near-freezing nights, so stay in after milking in the afternoon.

Silage-making will now probably be later this year. We had our first cut in April last year but that is not likely to happen again. That will give us more time to get our new silage pit up and ready, which will be a bonus.

But, as I get up early, I’m enjoying the longer days. It is now getting light at 5am as I start getting ready for milking. The longer evenings are welcome to all and give us more time in the day.

We have had some very dark nights recently with beautiful starry displays, or so I’m told. There is an ever-growing interest in this currently, with tourist areas, especially, seeking International Dark Sky Reserve status to boost this economy.

I’m quite sure that the Dyfi valley would be as dark as anywhere in Wales, if it wasn’t for one big fly in the ointment and that is due to one company’s fairly recent infrastructure improvement scheme.

One of my questions to all the candidates taking part in our online hustings with the FUW and YFC to be held soon will be about this dire case of light pollution.

Is it reasonable in this day and age, and in such an environmentally sensitive area such as the Dyfi Biosphere, that the biggest light pollution is on the longest railway platform in Wales?

I’m referring to the Dyfi Bridge Junction platform, which is long enough to accommodate eight carriages, never seen on this line.

It is a carbuncle and a white elephant in itself as anyone changing trains is supposed to do so in Machynlleth.

But it is also lit up like Blackpool Tower all night with dozens of ‘street’ lights.

Moreover, these do not seem to be LED lights which local authorities are now using and can hardly be seen at night at nearby Glandyfi. This doesn’t even consider the waste of energy incurred.

Surely in 2021 public authorities, such as Network Rail, as well as Welsh Government who subsidise these mid Wales lines, should lead by example every time.