Here’s a nice thing to do this Sunday: head down to Longleat and cheer on the plucky cyclists taking part in The Lionheart cycling challenge – and while you’re there, come and say hello and try some delicious Godminster cheese and Yapp Brothers wine, which we’re giving away at one of the fuelling stops. The Longleat Estate is the start and finish point of the 100KM Endura Trek Lionheart Cyclosportive, which wends its way through this beautiful, virtually traffic-free corner of the South West, and has plenty of hills for riders to stretch their winter legs. You might even hear the morning yawn on a big cat if you’re lucky.

I don’t know about with you, but after a bit of a nippy start spring seems to have arrived in Somerset. The sun’s out and down on the farm, you can hear the sound of tractors whirling and almost see the hedges bursting into leaf, and they’ve been able to start drilling on the farm after all the frosts. It’s been a long time coming but spring is finally on the wing!

Jess