Even before I moved from Devon to the Peak District, I could already feel my accent rushing back, doing a happy jig in my larynx at the knowledge that it might soon be free again.
Love the description of the house and the eerie phenomenona occurring in it while you were there.
It reminds me of an old chateau guest house that I rented in the Loire Valley 20 years ago, clearly haunted but it did not seem malevolent...I lived in it alone for 6 months. Shortly after arriving I "told" the house, speaking out loud in the living room: "no apparitions please, and no telekinesis. I come in peace. Thank you for welcoming me here!" It went well. I had the distinct sensation one night of being carefully tucked into bed as I was falling asleep.
The house had a lovely staircase of turned wood that went all the way up to the attic and its carved stone gables. When my family joined me there 6 months later, my highly intuitive daughter took a peek at the top of the staircase. "I don't like it up there", she declared, and never went back up there again.
We live in a different house now, also very old, built in the 1500s. My now young adult daughter has informed us that it's filled with old, benevolent "entities" (i.e. ghosts). We like it a lot.
I read 'Help the Witch' a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it, especially the first story. I love that it was based on true events. Now I need to buy Ring the Hill.
Thanks Gillian. I reckon Ring The Hill is a better book than Help The Witch, and weirdly I think the section in it about my time in the Peak District is a better piece of writing than the HTW story inspired by it.
Eerily fantastic pictures. I have never been there but perhaps my ghost has. I get a sense of deep foreboding yet there is a charm to relating to these places. So much history over a few thousand years.
This is brilliant, Tom. Good timing, too - at least for me, as I just re-read Help the Witch a couple of weeks ago, being in the mood for that type of story for the Halloween season. It was fresh in my mind as I read the “backstory” here.
Tom, having grown up in north Louisiana and now living in Texas, I was surprised by the brutal weather you so vividly described. In my 70+ years, I have rarely ever seen the white fluff on the ground during winter. ❄️ It’s so foreign to me. Though I have never visited England physically, I have visited there via Rosamunde Pilcher, Dickens & many other novelist’s work. Thank you! Now I will go put on a sweater!
I heard the crunching of the snow while you moved around the hill. Your colouring of the ancient in landscape felt like a warm jacket and mittens. Great piece. Already shared it with a mate.
Your writing deserves being read out loud. I’m contemplating a new story-time tradition with my non-literary husband. I suspect he would enjoy this piece very much!
That gave me Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights vibes but as a house, feel
Love the description of the house and the eerie phenomenona occurring in it while you were there.
It reminds me of an old chateau guest house that I rented in the Loire Valley 20 years ago, clearly haunted but it did not seem malevolent...I lived in it alone for 6 months. Shortly after arriving I "told" the house, speaking out loud in the living room: "no apparitions please, and no telekinesis. I come in peace. Thank you for welcoming me here!" It went well. I had the distinct sensation one night of being carefully tucked into bed as I was falling asleep.
The house had a lovely staircase of turned wood that went all the way up to the attic and its carved stone gables. When my family joined me there 6 months later, my highly intuitive daughter took a peek at the top of the staircase. "I don't like it up there", she declared, and never went back up there again.
We live in a different house now, also very old, built in the 1500s. My now young adult daughter has informed us that it's filled with old, benevolent "entities" (i.e. ghosts). We like it a lot.
Well Tom, you have again compelled me to open my atlas. Now I want to learn about Drowned Derwent.
Is he also a 70s session guitarist?
Lost keyboard player from the Midlands?
I read 'Help the Witch' a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it, especially the first story. I love that it was based on true events. Now I need to buy Ring the Hill.
Thanks Gillian. I reckon Ring The Hill is a better book than Help The Witch, and weirdly I think the section in it about my time in the Peak District is a better piece of writing than the HTW story inspired by it.
With a description like that I had to order a copy straight away ;) I'll definitely look forward to reading it.
Tom, your writing is always balm for my soul. It seems as if one of your long-form pieces hits just when I need it the most. Thank you.
Eerily fantastic pictures. I have never been there but perhaps my ghost has. I get a sense of deep foreboding yet there is a charm to relating to these places. So much history over a few thousand years.
This is brilliant, Tom. Good timing, too - at least for me, as I just re-read Help the Witch a couple of weeks ago, being in the mood for that type of story for the Halloween season. It was fresh in my mind as I read the “backstory” here.
Bloody brilliant.
Thank you, Beth!
You’re welcome! I can still feel that cold wind on the back of my neck….
Tom, having grown up in north Louisiana and now living in Texas, I was surprised by the brutal weather you so vividly described. In my 70+ years, I have rarely ever seen the white fluff on the ground during winter. ❄️ It’s so foreign to me. Though I have never visited England physically, I have visited there via Rosamunde Pilcher, Dickens & many other novelist’s work. Thank you! Now I will go put on a sweater!
I had forgotten how scary that was. So glad you moved away, for the sake of your sanity!
Must read the books again.
You had me gripped from the first line Tom. Brilliant! Now I need to read the rest of the book.
Thanks JP!
I absolutely love your writing Tom. Its a comfort and joy to share in your adventures without out leaving the farm.😂👍 Just brilliant talent.
Thank you, Linda!
Brilliant! Such sensory and convincing sense of place, with added, accumulating apprehension!
Thanks Liz!
I’ve just finished reading Ring The Hill. This chapter gave me chills. That house definitely was spooky.
Loved the book. Thank you Tom
Thanks Cathy! Lovely to hear.
I heard the crunching of the snow while you moved around the hill. Your colouring of the ancient in landscape felt like a warm jacket and mittens. Great piece. Already shared it with a mate.
Thank you!
Your writing deserves being read out loud. I’m contemplating a new story-time tradition with my non-literary husband. I suspect he would enjoy this piece very much!
Thanks Molly. There is an audio version of this (in Ring The Hill, read by me): https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/0655662405?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=pdp