Grotesque under a saint

Our second visit to Lichfield Cathedral and noticed the grotesques around the exterior.  Didn't know the difference between them and gargoyles, but apparently gargoyles were designed and placed to divert rainwater from the stone structures - as well as ward off evil. The origin of the word comes from the old French "gargouille", meaning throat and representing the water passing through.

Grotesques are purely stone carvings.

The second blip is a statue of Erasmus Darwin that I mentioned yesterday.  Have a look at the website of the museum - www.erasmusdarwin.org - to see what a remarkable man he was.

A great visit.  Next year's cathedral(s) are going to be Liverpool!

Grotesques are 

gargouille