Tradition demands that, as symbols of purity, snowdrops first appear on 2nd of February to coincide with Candlemas, the Christian Feast of Purification. Nothing suggests that snowdrops could be up before year’s end in Scotland. But our finger of rock sticks out into the Irish Sea, and is warmly embraced by the gulf stream.

For years this area has been known as a mountain biking destination. But with hundreds of square miles of forest, coastal paths and farm tracks this is now a world class destination for gravel and adventure cycling. Don’t take our word for it, Red Bull love gravel too and featured us in their top 9 UK rides.

Some of the oldest May Day traditions are connected with dew. According to folklore, the dew on 1 May has magical properties and anyone who washes their face in it will have a flawless complexion for the entire year.

High pressure sat over us for more than a week and we had our first penetrating frosts and ink black night sky. Day after day we had the best time of the year to ride bikes and walk the sea cliff paths close to home.

Spring can be ephemeral, a difficult thing to pin down. Last year it barely lasted two weeks before big coats and jumpers were thrown into the back of the cupboard and the car window de-icer put away. That was a tough winter last year.