Chaldon

A rather older version of the woodcut posted on 14th May, this one perhaps from the 12th century.

For some reason we lighted upon an advertisement for Chaldon Church, near Caterham, a church listed in the Domesday Book and boasting this wall painting from about the same time. Very impressive (snooty remarks in Pevsner notwithstanding) and much larger than I was expecting, occupying a good chunk of the west wall of the nave. A morality tale featuring, inter alia, demons dealing with the seven deadly sins. For example, the chap sitting on the fire and being poked or prodded with large toasting forks, bottom middle right, was a usurer and he was being encouraged to cough up his money, in a literal way. Well worth the visit, but quite possibly busy and awkward on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

As it was we had the benefit of a lecture to a WEA group doing Surrey churches, members of the group being mostly rather older than we were. Outside, to inspect the churchyard which contained a surprisingly large proportion of people with foreign names. Just one of the grave boards (in the place of a grave stone)  that one comes across in the south of Surrey. Out to the bridle path across a huge field of rape - probably a number of fields rolled into one at some point - to inspect the bluebells in the fringes of Furzefield Wood. Fine views over the downs. Rape flowers quite impressive close to, although pretty much insect free. There was also a curious smell about them, possibly cabbagey, which would be reasonable with the plant both being and looking rather like a sort of cabbage. Three ridgebacks from two owners, one of which was said to be as mild as a lamb despite being trained as a pack dog to hunt lions. It certainly looked as if it would be up for that sort of thing; perhaps in east surrey they use them to help with the badger numbers. More information to be found all over the place, for example http://www.imbaliridgebacks.co.uk/ where you can find a fine shot of a ridgeback seeing how far it could open its mouth before setting out.

Retraced our steps and pushed on to a very decent lunch of lasagne at the Golden Lion of Caterham.

PS: as it happens we very nearly visited the church by chance, not knowing what it contained, on 25th May 2009 in the other place. See also 26th June. But it was getting late and we went on past its turning, to home.