Spud timing?

Morning fellow Spudnauts .... advice please! My 2nd earlies are chitting nicely and looking great. Trouble is, my veg patch is not .... no digging/weeding done over autumn/winter as generally ground was too wet and on the odd few days since January when I've had the free time, the ground's either been soaking wet, frozen or under snow (as it still is!).  I am away from third week of April, so my question is, when would be the best time to clear the ground for planting so that they can be planted and then left unattended for the two weeks of holiday. Should I try to get them in now, or wait until just before we go away?

thanks Growster .... let's hope that this cold snap (!) ends soon and we can all get out there...