In which I walk in the author Bram Stoker's footsteps in the town where he first discovered the name "Vlad Dracul", and visit some of the monuments he included in his book.
When we loved in South Yorkshire, a trip to Whitby was always a treat.. poking around the jet shops, thinking about one of my favourite novels, Possession, and most importantly joining the queue for the best fish and chips in the world, at the Magpie Cafe....
I only heard about the Magpie Cafe *after* I visited Whitby, and I'm sorry I missed it. I did think about Possession though, whenever I saw a jet shop!
Once again I felt like I was walking with you through this essay. You definitely open windows on worlds I will only ever visit through your essays! I love that! So sorry you didn't encounter our own ghost during your stay. (Kidding!) Thank you for a behind the scenes look at the history of Dracula and how the story materialized over time. I also love visiting cemeteries!
We do have an active spirit that we have heard on the stairs, or slamming kitchen cupboards, or making a VERY loud noise in the room where we are sitting. Startling! Much more infrequent the longer we have been there. But...neither of us have ever felt in the least uncomfortable or uneasy. We just share the space. I did sage a few years ago, expressing peace all the while. I don't know if that made the difference. If I was visiting haunted Englad, or Europe, I'd pack a sage travel bag! The veil has always been very thin for me, and I often sense and hear from the other side. Sigh! But, I don't mind, and it definitely changes one's view of life.
It's interesting, as much as you hear about "ghost stories", everyone who I've ever spoken to who has had such an experience in real life has told a story like yours. Spirits either tend to be benign, or comforting, or even protective. I have to admit I've never experienced anything like that (or haven't noticed if I did!), but the idea has never frightened me. It sounds like I missed an opportunity. ;)
Did you go inside St Mary's? It’s got an incredible interior full of original 17th century box pews.
No I didn’t! It must have been closed for some reason…I can’t imagine I would have walked by without poking my nose in.
Thank you for sharing!
Lovely story and excellently illustrated also! Nice!
So glad you enjoyed it!
The Whitby Abbey is fearsome looking, Jodi. It's striking in a scary way. Great tale of Dracula's origin story.
Thank you so much, Jeanine - I know we share a fondness for a good ruin!
Yes we do!! The photos of the Abbey were something! Loved that.
Great post
Thank you!
When we loved in South Yorkshire, a trip to Whitby was always a treat.. poking around the jet shops, thinking about one of my favourite novels, Possession, and most importantly joining the queue for the best fish and chips in the world, at the Magpie Cafe....
Possession is one of my favorites too.
Lived!!!!!
Lol, I kind of thought that's what you meant...but it's more romantic that way!
I only heard about the Magpie Cafe *after* I visited Whitby, and I'm sorry I missed it. I did think about Possession though, whenever I saw a jet shop!
Once again I felt like I was walking with you through this essay. You definitely open windows on worlds I will only ever visit through your essays! I love that! So sorry you didn't encounter our own ghost during your stay. (Kidding!) Thank you for a behind the scenes look at the history of Dracula and how the story materialized over time. I also love visiting cemeteries!
Well, I did feel like I was being watched a lot, but I assumed it was just Byrdie. 😂
Do you really have a ghost?? Is it Egyptian?
We do have an active spirit that we have heard on the stairs, or slamming kitchen cupboards, or making a VERY loud noise in the room where we are sitting. Startling! Much more infrequent the longer we have been there. But...neither of us have ever felt in the least uncomfortable or uneasy. We just share the space. I did sage a few years ago, expressing peace all the while. I don't know if that made the difference. If I was visiting haunted Englad, or Europe, I'd pack a sage travel bag! The veil has always been very thin for me, and I often sense and hear from the other side. Sigh! But, I don't mind, and it definitely changes one's view of life.
It's interesting, as much as you hear about "ghost stories", everyone who I've ever spoken to who has had such an experience in real life has told a story like yours. Spirits either tend to be benign, or comforting, or even protective. I have to admit I've never experienced anything like that (or haven't noticed if I did!), but the idea has never frightened me. It sounds like I missed an opportunity. ;)