Gnome man's land? Some bluebells yesterday. Photograph: Murdo Macleod
The bluebells are up. Nevermind global warming and the fact that they are several weeks early, the woods are a sea of blue, and I'm delighted.
I've just spent a sublime afternoon fairy spotting with my daughter, in a wood which for the rest of the year looks like the setting for The Blair Witch Project. Today it shimmered with magic and hope, and I almost believed that we might be honoured with a visit from King Oberon and Queen Titania - If it was good enough for Conan Doyle, who are we to deny their existence.
Philosophically speaking, if God exists, then why shouldn't fairies? They are both supernatural entities with neither having a more justified claim to be taken seriously. Just because the Cottingley Fairies were alledged to be cutouts from a Victorian dressmaking catalogue, the fairy kingdom was shafted. Hasn't the Shroud of Turin been similarly disproven? Weeping statues, stigmata, Christ's face in a bun anybody?
Of course, I am an atheist. I flirted with Christianity when Ava's name was down for the local C of E primary, but never actually made it to church once. Being a distant ancestor of a bishop I hoped, would exempt me from ostentatious displays of piety - like being on the guest list because you're mates with the drummer. It didn't cut any ice...thank God. Her non-denominational school is brilliant.
Anyway, it's too beautiful a day to have a pop at God, so I'll just remind you once again - the bluebells will be here for a month tops, so catch 'em while you can.
