Heaven's Gate

Have you ever noticed how many English country places are called Heaven's Gate? Well, actually, this isn't one of them. But it is the gate up to the church of St Mary at Itchen Stoke and is therefore no. 10 in my Hampshire Country Churchyards/WW1 series.

The Church of St Mary is a rather unexpected building - very tall and thin, a bit too grand. The church sits high above the straggle of houses looking totally out of proportion - the motte, perhaps, of a motte and bailey castle. What you see here is the lower half of the short steep path leading from the church door to the road.

I've passed it countless times, but never been in before, and I got the strangest feeling of stepping from one world to another. Despite being so exposed, it's a peaceful place you feel might not have changed much since it was built. The gate, you see, is the key - the division between Heaven (with its froth of white flowers and the steep path up) and Earth or our ordinary life of houses and cars. A touch of Dante. Hence the title.

Okay, that's enough from me!! End of the week, enjoy your glass of wine (as I am doing) and have a fantastic weekend xx