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Teresa popped this on this evening.

I bought her a Hammer box, some years back. I think this is one we haven’t watched before. Always a relief!

We both like these olde horror films. Poss’ for slightly different reasons? Poss’ not? They often share a set of formulaic features. And this is no exception. But I guess that’s ultimately what’s part of their charms?

So far so formulaic, but also so good. Evil toffs, a pretty young wench, an aged but distinguished father/medical man, much hokum… and Eee-vill! Plenty of that.

Having said that, and given the subsequent growth to near ubiquity of zombie movies as a genre (esp. post Night of the Living Dead, etc.), Zombie movies per se, are a rarity in the Hammer canon.

When a young doc’ in a remote Cornish town gets a letter from his former star student, about mysterious deaths agogo, he takes his charming daughter to the epicentre of eee-vill…

The medical men upset locals with their poking n’ prying. Indeed, they almost get themselves arrested for body-snatching…

All told, a really fun slice of Hammer nonsense. This was originally actually the B-feature, supporting Dracula, Prince of Darkness. Of the two, I think I prefer this.

Saturday evening Teresa and I spent most of time in the garden. Eventually to be joined for a spell by Antonio and his ‘chicas’, Ali and Sofi.

And someone else…

I had a difficult day today, in certain respects… so I decided a stop at a church was indicated. And it so happened that my last drop of the delivery route was a stones’ throw from St Mary’s church, Reed.

I’ve been to this church before. Last time I visited the organ was being repaired/rebuilt. This time the lawn was being mowed…

The guy mowing the lawn was a friendly local. We had a brief chat. He told me Reed is mentioned in the Domesday Book.

Looking over the outside and inside of this fairly humble little church was, as I’d hoped, rejuvenating. And the countryside roundabouts was also gorgeous

All soothing to a troubled soul!

Teresa had her head wound checked and the dressing renewed today. Then we had a brief riverside walk.

After that I suggested we make up for yesterday’s trials and tribulations by having lunch at Elsie’s Tea Room. Which we duly did.

Teresa had a toasted cheese and ham sandwich, and I had baked potato with tuna-mayo and grated cheese. Delish!

We had a pot of tea each, and finished off with a knickerbocker glory, for dessert. I also bought two jars of conserves (marmalade and strawberry jam), and four ‘quarters’ of tuck shop style sweets.

Bliss!

The bill was pretty modest – esp’ in today’s extortionate climate – for what we got. And the pure joy of it all made it worth every penny.

The only slightly bum note was my hayfever, which was horribly intense. I took a piriton tablet. But to no discernible effect. And the constant sneezing quite wore me out

But, all told? O’ Frabjous Day! Simple pleasures are often the best.

Well… tonight’s (strictly speaking yesterdays’) 15th – or Crystal – wedding anniversary didn’t quite go to plan!

Teresa fell and injured her head, travelling home from work. I picked her up at March rail station, and took her directly to the Doddington MIU (minor injury unit).

They didn’t do ‘owt but tell us to go to Peterborough hospital. And we were there – just like the last time – for seven hours!

But eventually they saw Teresa and got her sorted out. Phew… we got home at 1.15 am. Finally enjoying our glasses of anniversary bubbly in bed.

And I was at long last able to give Teresa her card and present, which should’ve been handed to her over a curry, about six hours earlier.

Oh well, never mind. At least Teresa’s ok. That’s the main thing.

Just a few snaps of the old-fashioned green and cream paint scheme, at March railway station. I took these pics whilst awaiting Teresa’s arrival, with her head injury, on our 15th wedding anniversary.

Sold another Zildjian China cymbal. Buyer paid yesterday. But I was out working till late. So I ‘shipped’ it to him today.

For the first time since buying her – she’s stayed looking remarkably good all this while – I had Flo’ washed today.

My older smaller cars (MX5s, Ford Fiesta) were £8 a pop. This SUV sized beast is £12. Can’t really afford it. But gotta look smart for work!

Plus it always feels good to have a shiny sparkly car for a while.

Whilst the Eastern European folk – the boss was very friendly – washed Flo’, I sat inside her, and read the article I reproduce above.

It covers All Saints church, on Jesus Lane, and 183 Gwydir St, both in Cambridge. I’ve visited the former. And marvelled at the Arts & Crafts interior (indeed, a photo of part of one of the walls was once my phones’ wallpaper!).

The latter, also know as David Parr House (visit their website here), however, is entirely new to me. Parr actually worked on All Saints, as a young apprentice. And 183 Gwydir St was his final home. Which, we are told here, he decorated amazingly over his lifetime/tenure.

We must visit! Or in my case re-visit All Saints, and take the guided tour (hmm!?*) at David Parr’s House.

* I’ve never been too keen on such group activities. I prefer to explore on my own.

St Paul’s, Gorefield

I’ve stopped and photographed the exterior of this church before. It’s always been locked, on previous visits. Today I called the Churchwarden, a local lady called Joy. She very kindly opened the church for me.

Once inside, I was immediately struck by some details at the altar end…

One more gallery, of misc pictures. This church is much more modern than most I vvisit.

The roof is magnificent. And there are lots of light, delicately proportioned pillars, with terrific carved capitals.

Also of interest are the circular wall paintings. How old these are, I have no idea.

All told, this is a very interesting place. With a lot to comment it to the avid church-crawler.

And here’s one final gallery…

A fairly grim grey day, today (14th). But lots of ecclesiastical architecture, which brightens things up for me. The above, and the first gallery, below, focus on the separate tower.

From the tower, I made my way to the porch of the main church. After which, the church being locked, I went and got a key.

In the next post, we get to look around inside…