Back in Sep 2004 I
was staying in a cottage in the Lake District. This happened to be the
birthplace of John Dalton. Dalton was an eminent scientist in 1880’s, best known
for his pioneering work on atomic theory and colour blindness (Daltonism). The
cottage itself was steeped in history and there were many old pictures and artefacts
dotted around.
On the first night my
fellow guest (not a ghost) and I watched Most Haunted and then went to bed. I’m
never good at sleeping in new locations but I got the sense that someone was at
the threshold of the bedroom. The hall light was on so I could see no one was
there. I dismissed this feeling and fell asleep.
An hour or two later
I wore up with a start and had the sensation that someone (male) was standing
over me, watching me in the dark very close to my face. I was too scared to
turn the bedside light on so hid under the covers. I didn’t want to wake my
partner in case they got freaked out or told me I was stupid. I therefore hid,
scared under the covers until the sensation passed or I fell asleep, I’m not
sure which.
The next morning I regaled
my friend with the tale. I later picked up the visitors book and was surprised
and bemused to see several references to a ghost. Proof! I said that the
cottage was haunted. For the remainder of the week I peered around corners checking
no one was there but nothing else happened.
At the time I was open-minded
about the paranormal so was convinced I’d had a genuine paranormal experience. Over
the years I rationalised the event. As I have learnt more about the psychology of paranormal
perception I have discounted it completely. I was fortunate to stay there again
in 2014, just before I started my Psychology MSc and project on paranormal belief.
That week passed without incident and I found the place warm, friendly and without
any spooky atmosphere. I also reread the visitors comments with a more critical
eye.
Was my second visit
uneventful because I was a sceptic or did the ghost leave me alone? I won’t bore
you with psychological research here but there is evidence that the suggestion
a location is haunted can be enough to induce paranormal experiences. As a
counter argument, I only found out the location may be haunted afterwards but
the combination of location, context and history may have conspired to create a
sense of presence.
I have had other (ghost
hunting) experiences I can’t fully explain but this is my most paranormal experience… so
far!
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