This is one of those caches that take you somewhere new and
interesting.
Most Londoners have never been here and it’s well worth a
visit.
This ash tree is surrounded by headstones, moved by Thomas Hardy
during his days as an architect clerk.
He had the unenviable task of exhuming bodies from St Pancras
Churchyard to make way for the railway tracks being built in the
1860’s
Some of Hardy's poetry is reputed to be inspired by his time
working on this unpleasant job - particularly 'In the
Cemetery'.
It looks as though the gravestones were originally propped up
around the tree, while they decided what to do with them.
150 years later, they are still around the tree, although the
tree will now be reluctant to give them up.
A walk around the yard is worthwhile, just to see Sir John
Soane's mausoleum. One of only two grade-one listed graves in
London. The other being Karl Marx’s. Incidentally, the top of
Soane’s monument was the inspiration for the old red “K2” telephone
boxes.
In the immediate area, you will have a chance to have a look at
how far the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link has progressed.
Please bear in mind that this cache is in the Churchyard which
is unlocked during daylight hours only.
In the Cemetery
'YOU see those mothers squabbling there?'
Remarks the man of the cemetery.
'One says in tears, "Tis mine lies here!"
Another, "Nay mine, you Pharisee!"
Another, "How dare you move my flowers
And put your own on this grave of ours!"
But all their children were laid therein
At different times, like sprats in a tin.
'And then the main drain had to cross,
And we moved the lost some nights ago,
And packed them away in the general foss
With hundreds more. But their folks don't know,
And as well cry over a new-laid drain
As anything else, to ease your pain!'
Thomas Hardy