CLICK ON ANY IMAGE IN A GROUP TO ACCESS ITS GALLERY, INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF WHICH MAY BE VIEWED FULL SIZE BY SCROLLING DOWN AND CHECKING BOX AT BOTTOM RIGHT. THESE CAN BE FURTHER ENLARGED WITH A CLICK OR TWO.
This afternoon Jackie drove me to New Hall Hospital for a physiotherapy session with Claire. This was encouraging. She has no need to see me again.
On our return home we turned off the main road to investigate where a bridge over the River Avon would take us. We were intrigued by a castellated tower we saw in the distance. Was it a castle or a church? Naturally we needed to seek it out.
This was the Church of All Saints at Harbridge,
a village on low meadow land to the west of the river between Ringwood and Fordingbridge. ‘The name Harbridge probably means “Hearda’s bridge”.[3] In the Domesday Bookof 1086, Bernard the Chamberlain held Harbridge from the King. Before 1066 it had been held by Ulveva. Harbridge is a referred to as a manor by the early 15th century.[1] In the early 19th century the manor passed to the Earl of Normanton, and like nearby Ibsley and Ellingham became part of his estate of Somerley.[1]Harbridge was a civil parish until 1974, when the parish was amalgamated with the parishes of Ellingham and Ibsley.’ ‘The church of All Saints consisting of chancel, nave, and west tower, was rebuilt in 1838.[1] The tower retains its 15th-century masonry, but it was raised in the 19th century reconstruction.[4]‘(Wikipedia)
I wandered among the older gravestones, most of which were weather-worn and lichen-coated, rendering them indecipherable. Robert Robinson’s was the only name I could discern.
Tiny natural cyclamen were scattered among the graves. How many lifetimes could it be that the earliest corms had occupied this consecrated soil?
Elizabeth stayed overnight with Mum. Jackie and I dined at Lal Quilla. She chose chicken sag as her main meal, which she enjoyed, while I savoured lamb Ceylon. We shared special fried rice and an onion bahji; and both drank Kingfisher. The restaurant was quite busy, but we still received friendly service and excellent food.
Wow! What an amazing church and cemetery, Derrick. So do people still worship in the church?
They do, although it now covers 3 parishes. In fact the reason I didn’t go inside today was because I didn’t want to disturb an event that was going on. Thanks very much, Jill
That’s great to hear, Derrick!
Congrats on getting dismissed by the physiotherapist Derrick, all that gardening is paying dividends. The old church is amazing, as is the old gravestones. I’m a sucker for graveyards and can spend hours in a good one searching out the names and old family ties. It’s fascinating.
It is fascinating, Pauline. Very many thanks
Great news from the physiotherapist. And what a nice discovery of church cemetery and cyclamens. I just love those plants and can’t grow them in my house (too warm in winter, to hot in summer, too humid, likely). I once saw a whole hillside of them in Greece. Astonishing. Much like the ones you saw in the graveyard. Nice they have spread, but like you, I wonder who first put them in and how long ago?
Thanks very much, Lisa. Those cyclamens have set several of us wondering
YAY! Congratulations on the good news!!! I’m glad you have completed PT! 🙂
That is an amazing old church and cemetery. And the flowers growing among the graves are beautiful. I like to visit old cemeteries…I read the headstones and then let the person know they mattered and someone is acknowledging their life and passing. The oldest one I’ve visited was from the early 1860’s.
HUGS!!!
Thanks very much, Carolyn. We have so many ancient churches, some with yews hundreds of years old. The indecipherable stones have to accept an anonymous acknowledgement. X
very cool tombstones and church – and the cyclamen add such a nice touch. Side note – once tried to grow some cyclamens indoors (90s) and they did not do very well
Thanks very much, Yvette. Especially pleased you like the cyclamen touch.
What a good decision to seek it out. Those little cyclamens are so pretty. Gives one a shiver to think about how long they have been there.
So pleased you saw the cyclamens as I did, Laurie. Many thanks
Neat place Derrick. Thanks for taking us along for the tour. So glad that therapy is no longer required which means the knee surgery progressed well and your road back to full recovery has been achieved !
Many thanks, Gary
I am always drawn to old churches and graveyards. Thanks for the tour.
Thanks a lot, Sherry
Congratulations on your good news, Derrick! I’m glad you stopped to look at this church and graveyard. The church looks much older, and there is such mystery in the “weather-worn and lichen-coated” gravestones. I had to look up corms. 🙂
Very many thanks, Merril
Beautiful place and photos
Thanks for sharing it with us your readers
Thanks very much, Cinnamon
You’re welcome
As a science fiction writer, my main mantra is, ‘what if’ … and as I read your post I wondered, what if Harold Godwinson had won the Battle of Hastings? What would England look like now?
Yes, indeed a good question. Perhaps you could write the story? Thanks very much Widders
Heh, it’s tempting. 😀
A whiff from the musty past. I am happy for your knee.
Very many thanks, Uma.
There is something great about flowers that have made themselves at home in a graveyard.
Indeed. Thanks very much, Paol
Glad to hear you’re done with Claire
Thanks very much, Lisa
Lovely flowers, and interesting conjecture. Good to hear the news about the physio.
Thanks a lot, Quercus
What an interesting tower. I love it when there is something new to discover.
We did, too, Helen. Many thanks
?
I’m glad you’ve got permission to take your knee off on adventures. I had never witnessed the results ‘up close’ before – you’ve come a long way from the days when you didn’t fancy your dinner. Well done!
Very many thanks, Susan – especially for remembering X
Congratulations from me too! I like the cyclamen as well 🙂
Thanks very much, Clare