Rod Collins

Full of vim and vigour, or should that be fire and brimstone, and over-flowing with the joys of winter your host once again felt energized enough to tackle the Lincolnshire Wolds in a green and non-toxic fashion.
It has to be said saving the planet is not foremost on my mind when I wheel out the new velocipede but is a welcome by-product

Being unusually organized I even knew where I wanted to visit, as before at Croxby Pond I would be retreading steps last taken as a mere stripling.

A pleasant but energetic ride brought me to the village of Great Limber and I soon found the entrance to the wood which provides access to the mausoleum. At this point I should mention that the land owners do allow access and have a proper walk around the woods laid out. However it does close at certain times of the year.
Walking through a dark wooded trail all of a sudden you are greeted by a burst of sunlight, blue sky and the most amazing structure that looks as though it should be in ancient Rome or the centre of oxford.

The building sits on a hill overlooking the village of Great Limber and comes as quite a surprise looking as incongruous as it does spectacular in it’s setting.
It’s not just the building that looks so unlike anything else in the area but the landscape around it too completely different to the surounding area.
The hilly nature of the area made more sense on subsequently discovering that the site was actually a Round Barrow built by the Anglo Saxons as a burial site.

Designed by james Wyatt

This stunning building was designed by the architect James Wyatt and was commissioned in 1786 to commemorate the untimely death of Sophia Aufrere. Whether it was a testament husband’s grief and love or a statement of position and wealth I cannot say but I suspect the former, either way Sophia Aufrere will be remembered and commemorated in a way few others will.

The view from the front

You need to physically be there to appreciate the scale, those doors for example must be something like 20 feet high.

The view from the main doors
The drop seen in the background is very steep and is a veritable valley.
Those familiar with Lincolnshire will know just how unfamiliar that is.

Your host is to be cremated in a cardboard box and the remains tossed in the nearest bin. when it’s over it’s over in the mind of your host but seeing a memorial such as this does give one pause for thought.
Imagine being commemorated and remembered for generations to come in such a spectacular way.

The idea of leaving a lasting legacy of some sort does appeal - the likelihood however is remote !
Happy Trails to One and All
Rod