scared in our new home

Lirin

This was quite an interesting thread, I don't often post on here much.

A few years ago, I had a job working for a paranormal team, using my skills to anaylse video, audio and still shots to determine reasons for anything unusual they had determined to be potential evidence. Sadly, though I'm no sceptic, I never did find anything that also had no technical explaination- light reflecting in mist causing orbs, for example. They were a pretty interesting group though, and though a few were diehard paranormalists, most were fairly open and accepting that there was a potential reason that may not be a ghost. As far as i know, they did it all just out of an interest- I wasn't ever paid, I'd been asked to look at stuff, and it was interesting.... Some of the audible thumps turned out to be floorboards lifting slightly in the wind, and echoing when they landed through spaces in the roof cavity.... Loose windows, vibrations from passing trucks causing something to fall off a wall or shelf, draughts opening doors or causing a window to slam. An animal or bird landing on the roof caused nice thumps as well...The buildings 'settling' at night often had some interesting noises too....

I had worked at a tourist site for a while, too. It was rumoured to be haunted- as years spent as a technician, sometimes working by myself in the building, I never saw or felt a thing. Other people did, though. I just put it down to a cold, damp building which was quite rural, and always seemed a little shadowy and claustrophobic. I'd have wandered through a few times without a torch at night on my way from one end to another- I knew the place that well. One particular field beside it, which had a path through- some used to complain they felt as if they were being watched. Some visiting expert on human behaviour giving a talk one night explained to us this was probably more to do with having a tall, dense forest on one side, and a wide open field on the other- a discombobulation of views, causing natural uneasiness- a remnant of primeval behaviours.

I am blind in one eye, and spent most of my life occasionally jumping, thinking someone was on my blind side. Every time I turned around, nothing was there. For a couple of years the feeling built, until I eventually stopped driving unless it was unnecessary- I would see definite, dark masses. Several times I were convinced they were definite shapes- eg, a car in the overtaking lane that never appeared, a person walking past on a pavement.... Eventually I was seen by a specialist who explained my optic nerve had finally died, and that would have caused neural flashes of light and dark- intermittant signals being sent to my brain being wrongly processed.... The shapes I saw- car, person, etc would have been what I naturally expected to see.


There have been other things I can't explain, though. I'll always be open-minded!

stir_crazy

OP, sorry that you were having so much trouble settling into your new home.

My parents live in an old school house which is around 180 years old. When I was a child we would have periods where there would be loud banging/ thumping and we were never sure where the noise was coming from. It turned out that there was water underneath the house and every now and then the level would get so high as to touch the electrical cables that were under the floorboards, this would short them out, resulting in the loud bang. Likewise, they have many cold spots where there are drafts and when the house settles at night there are many weird and wonderful noises that we were used to after living there for so long.

Didn't stop my cousins believing us when we told them we had a ghost called Morag who lived in my wardrobe though

Lirin

*Should add I'm back driving now, it was only a brief time I had neural flashes! The nerve is dead now.

omnasia

Builders are due to arrive any minute so will have to be quick. The door that we propped open was nearly shut when we got up but we didn't hear a thing. Both nights that has happened and it is a heavy stone that we put against it. I can't see how a draught could do that. I'd be amazed if it was an animal and think we would have heard. There is no slope and I can't think of what could have caused it. Just glad we heard nothing.

The builders brought a poratable heater with them as they were frozen in there. I think that is just because it has been empty for a while. I will ramp up the heat in there over the weekend - the Aussies are going to be cold enough in January (I did tell them to come later in the year but they got some cheap flights). I have just bought a goose down duvet for them.

The vicar came and said more prayers. I asked him if he could feel anything in the house and he kind of evaded the question. I didn't realise till after he'd gone that he didnt really answer. Now I'm thinking a) he thinks I'm completely barking b) yes, he can feel something and doesn't want to scare me.

I'm determined to get through this. My husband is going to try to find out who lived here and any history about the house and the area. We are going to continue with our plans to renovate the outbuildings etc. It has given me the strength to do this hearing so many times how people have had doors slam, loud noises etc. but nothing worse happened.

Will be busy with our visitors but will update when I can and hope that I have good news to report and of course thanks to everyone who has posted, it means a lot.

skintandscared_2

I find this whole thread so interesting!! With the door, what has happened to the rock that was holding it open - has that moved? Have you considered leaving a video camera running on that door overnight to see how it moves?

jaqui59

OP ... Be careful with the colours you choose to decorate in, you don't want to make your room look cold and unwelcoming. Also put lots of soft plump accessories in there like cushions, rugs and a lovely puffed up duvet, and decorate the bed with soft woolen throws.

I cant wait to hear if you feel differently about that room when its all finished .. Im sure you will

lyrolee

OP.

Look up the nearest spiritualist church and give them a ring. They can and will - free of charge - deal with your problem.

*zippy*

I've been reading this thread with great interest, I really hope the renovations help and you can enjoy your home.

I used to have stuff happen when I was a child and then nothing until last year, the back door handle would go like someone was coming in, the dogs would hear it too and jump up and run to the door, none of the outside lights security lights would be on though. This went on for quite a few nights and there was other stuff happening, I didn't admit it to anyone until one night the dogs woke and stood looking into the dining room hackles up and growling, that did freak me out as i've never seen them do it before as they are both real old softies. I prayed for it to stop and it has been ok since.

A friend years ago used to have a ghost they were quite fond of, she never caused any bother and once they had left a mess all over the floor rushing off to work, coming home it was all cleared up and the dust pan and brush left neatly by the side

Teeniepops

Hi. I felt compelled to write to try and offer some comfort.

I live in a 200+ year old barn that was converted about 13-14 years ago. It's a quirky house and has a lot of character/odd bits. Like, an original stone sink in the lounge wall which was the external wall before an extension was added as part of the conversion.

Anyway...I went from loving the house to being scared very quickly. I spent time there alone cleaning it before moving in and the number of bangs, creaks and other oddities that happened was insane. The worst was going into an 'attic' off the landing through the hay bailing hatch - putting boxes at the back, the hatch slammed and I swear I've never moved so fast - my (then) boyfriend found me sat by the door scared stiff.

However, it was just coming to grips with a house with quirks, drafts and lots of wood! It took time - even now I feel less comfy if alone at night (but it's usually when the weather is bad and it's windy etc). The point is - that scary house is my HOME now and though I want to move closer to the town when we have kids (in the village ATM), I will miss this house when we do because of all its oddities.

There are probably lots of normal explanations but, if it IS anything supernatural what's to fear really? My Gran always said the living should be feared more than the dead and I think she was spot on :-)

Hope you feel happier soon and your house is your home in no time :-)

fallen121

We live in a 214 year old Alehouse. We have had some odd experiences in our extension, which is built on what used to be the village green.

Some years ago we converted an old bathroom to be a utility room and both myself, my OH and my FIL have had experiences where we have been in the utility room and had the impression of someone/something walking past in the corridor outside. On each occasion this has happened, the house has either been empty or the other occupants have been able to prove they were nowhere near that part of the house.

I will counter this by saying that the utility room has a glass domed skylight, and sometimes if a bird flies over the skylight it can temporarily cast a shadow on the wall of the corridor outside. It could very well be this that we are seeing.

Weird creaking, tapping and even dripping type noises happen frequently. Most of the time it turns out to be banging pipes or central heating expansion. We can't afford to have the heating on much, so when we do it is very noticable!

One thing we DO have a problem with concealed fireplaces causing powerful draughts which can cause doors to rattle, bang and slam. So even if a room doesn't have a fireplace currently, it may well have been inexpertly blocked off in the past and you have draught behind the wall which can cause all kinds of weird things to happen.

We sleep very soundly in our beds and love this house to bits. Even if it does cost a fortune to heat and moans and groans away all day long.

I hope you and your house learn to get along. Your house will learn to love you. That I am sure of!