Monday 20 October 2014

Do you want to tell a story....?

As we all know up here in the Northern hemisphere it's that time of year. Memories of sunny days are just that. The magical colours and textures of Autumn are fleeing by and we are in that brief lull that this change of season brings - allowing us to readjust before the madness of the Christmas season takes hold. Cardigans are out of hibernation and snuggly blankets beckon us toward the sofa. Various of us have extolled the virtues of lighting candles and open fires, yet what better to accompany them than a storm whipping up outside, lashing rain against the windows and wind howling through the keyholes. The perfect setting, one might say, for a ghostie tale....


I've posted some of my ghostly experiences before here, and looking back the date made me smile. This urge that I have to hear more at this time of year seems as regular as wanting to plant the first seeds in Spring, or collect that first posy of flowers from the garden. I'm not a fan of those shows that claim to contact spirits for the sake of the cameras, but have found that over the years most people have a tale to tell. Often it might seem insignificant to others, but the impact it has on the bearer can be profound.

So this is what I thought we could do. For the next couple of weeks - leading up to Halloween - I thought we could share some stories. Preferably those of our own but may be passing on tales from others. No need for a mass outpouring of urban legends - often the slightest tale can be the most evocative. Perhaps somewhere you have been has just created a particular feeling. Our house is over one hundred years old and yet I have never felt at all spooked here. In fact as soon as we first walked through the door it felt welcoming - yet some places certainly do not. 

An example of this is the infamous Winter's Gibbet in Northumberland. I remember visiting the area as a child and our usually inquisitive dog, Prince, refusing to get out of the car. He shivered and whined until we left.

 Find out more about Winter's Gibbet here.

My contribution is tricky as I relayed most of my experiences here but I do have another. Mr K is the world's biggest cynic when it comes to the supernatural. And yet something happened to him many years ago that he still can't explain. As a teenager he set about cycling around the Lake District with an old school friend of his. One night as they were returning to their camp site from the local pub they heard an almighty rush of - well something - nearing them from behind. As the noise got louder it sounded like hooves and it was enough to make them pedal like the clappers to get out of there. Next morning they mentioned their experience to the owner of the campsite, enquiring as to what sort of animals there might be nearby who would be capable of making such a row. The owner blanched as he told them the name of that particular stretch of road - Devil's Gallop. 

Sorry - this was the only picture I could find of the area - from 1952!

If you want to join in you could leave a link to your post here in the comments section, and link back to this blog using the title 'Ghostie Post'. I'm not sure if this will work or not but I for one will look forward to having a selection of tales to be passed on to others on that most spooky night of all - Halloweeeeeeeeeeeeen.

And now I've completely spooked myself I'm going to put all the lights on and make a cup of tea!

Come on - share your tales .............!

Jane
xxx

P.S. Well done for those fruit detectives amongst you - the yellow fruit was indeed a quince. Brownie points all round!

24 comments :

  1. Lacock Abbey, and a cold hand on the shoulder.

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  2. Lots of scary stories and odd experiences but definitely NOT going to think of any as it is really to near bed time. May come back to read some of the comments in full daylight....!

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    1. I know what you mean - I've completely spooked myself! Looking forward to hearing more of yours!

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  3. It's two thirty in the morning and I can't sleep because of the noise of the wind and rain. Looking forward to reading some spooky stories ... later!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  4. I've never been a great believer of the supernatural perhaps just because I don't want to let myself be spooked, but I do acknowledge that there are sometimes strange 'goings-on' that can't be explained! ;) M x

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  5. No, no weird spooky goings on from me.

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  6. There are strange things that happen but I prefer to leave the supernatural alone. Mind you, I do love a good windy, rainy night so long as I'm tucked up inside.

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  7. Hello Jane

    I have had a few spooky/weird things happen to me shortly after my Father died. Clocks chiming, blinds going up and down and strange sensations in the house. Thankfully all is quiet now.

    I look

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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  8. Ohhhhhh! I feel the same as you, this time of year brings out the haunting side of me. My next post will be about a ghostly encounter I had awhile back at Littlecote House in Berkshire, one of the most haunted houses in England. I often visit there but this one time there was an especially 'other worldly' feel about the day as if I were dreaming. I felt watched, and once home when I looked at photographs there was an ethereal blue light in all of them. Agree with Angel Jem, Lacock Abbey is another spooky place. I have often felt strange there in the late winter afternoons.

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    1. Wooooooooooo..... Looking forward to your ghostly encounter!

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  9. What a great spooky story from the skeptic! I'm looking forward to reading about more of these spooky tales. I've always been intrigued by ghost stories, but I'm not sure I would have the nerve to visit these "Shrieking Shacks" you have in England. I had a weird experience shortly after my mother died, and will post / link up when I write it. Great idea Jane ;) boo!! Wendy x

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    1. Ok, my story is written ... here's my link: http://septemberviolets.blogspot.ca/2014/10/ghost-stories.html

      Enjoy ;) Wendy

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  10. I've many a spooky story... Wendys sounds intriguing. xx

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  11. Very spooky, and I am never going camping near that spot!
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  12. Oh I do love your ghost stories Jane, I look forward to more posts! Cxxx

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  13. Hi,my husband went upstairs to use the bathroom whilst tea was cooking,I was in the dining room,I felt someone go past the dining room door so I went into the kitchen to ask hubby if tea was ready but he wasn't there! So who passed by the door? Spooky regards Pam.

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  14. Love your story, I have had quite a few strange experiences when doing my nursing training many years ago......:) xx

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  15. Happened many years ago. My Mum and I were at her Aunt's big, old house cleaning (Aunt was in the Hospital) ~ we were the only ones there. The house had two set of stairs, the main stairs ~ and the back stairs that lead from what would have been the "maid's quarters" in times gone by, directly to the kitchen. I was in the kitchen, on hands and knees cleaning the stove. I heard Mum walk down the entire wooden stair case, and then stop at the closed door. So I got up, figuring she must have had her hands full, to open the door. I did, but she wasn't there. I was confused, so I went up the stairs to find her?? She was in the bathroom, cleaning the tub on her hands and knees.. with the water running. Yup, true story. ~ and my only personal encounter with restless spirits.
    Mum spend a lot of time in the house growing up... and always heard people walking around, stairs creaking from feet, and closing doors. It seems who ever lived there before just couldn't bear to leave?

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