St Swithun's Church

St Swithun was a bishop of Winchester from 852 to 862. There are many churches dedicated to him, and one of these is the little church in Headbourne Worthy which I often pass when going to visit my mother in the nursing home near by.

It is close to a very busy road but largely sheltered by trees. This is the lychgate at the entrance. It also acts as a bridge over the Hyde Bourne, a stream which surrounds the church on three sides.

In spite of being at the side of the road, once inside the grounds, you could be deep in the countryside. Although it was a lovely day, there has been a lot of rain recently, the stream was high and the ground soft and wet underfoot.

The building probably dates from the 10th - 11th century, with the tower added in the 13th century.

This gravestone, like several of the older ones near the church, is tilting, no doubt because of the wet ground. I love the colours of the lichens on it.

Celandine. Learn to love your celandine because you'll never get rid of it! I heard that advice many years ago, but I haven't quite achieved it.

Primroses in the grounds, possibly my favourite spring flowers with their delicate shade of yellow.

Buds starting to burst, and the thorns I didn't notice until a little to late.

I would have liked to have gone into the church but my feet were extremely soggy by this time. I'll save it for some future day.