Holiday reading. What beats a book crammed full of twists and turn, thrills and spills to keep us occupied while lazing on the beach or reclining on a deck chair by the side of a pool somewhere hot and Mediterranean? What indeed!
When Lisa set her prompt for this week’s Bite Size Memoir challenge as ‘Holiday Reads’ my memories took me not to the beach or the pool but back to the annual holidays we took as a family when I was a girl to the tranquility of the Norfolk Broads.
A boating holiday is certainly not relaxing in the usual sense, particularly if sailing. In fact, it is quite physical with all the leaping on and off boats, mooring up, gathering in the sails and generally messing about on the river. Not to mention all those misadventures that seem to go hand-in-hand when on the water, and I’m not just talking about losing one’s sunglasses.
Yet, nothing beats that feeling at the end of a boating day when you are moored up and hunkered down for the night, huddled in your bunk and settling in to your summer read.
Our holidays began with a several hour’s-long drive from Surrey to Norfolk, this being the 1970’s and motorways not what they are today, but oh the joy as we pulled in at last to the narrow roads of the delightfully historic Norfolk village of Horning and headed straight to the boatyard.
There we would set eyes on what would be our holiday home for the next two weeks and so the exodus began of transferring all our luggage, equipment and food from the overflowing car to our boat. Then finding a home for everything, which on a boat is often far from easy.
One year, when I was about twelve, as we took a walk down to the local shops of Horning to gather up some last-minute necessities before heading out, I treated myself to my summer book: it was called Ghosts of the Broads by Charles Sampson.
What captured my attention was that there was a ghost story for most of the places we would be visiting so I could time my stories when we were at the actual location. I couldn’t wait!
Some of the stories went on a bit, but there I would be, in the dead of the night, lulled by the gentle motion of our boat to the passing current of the waters surrounding us, my little overhead lamp burning the midnight oil, scaring myself witless.
What filled my imagination like no other was the story about St. Benet’s Abbey.
Approaching from the narrow and meandering River Ant as it merges into the strong currents of the River Bure, the sight of St. Benet’s Abbey looming up at the river’s edge of this convergence always struck a sense of foreboding into my heart as a child.
St Benet’s Abbey, Norfolk Broads
(c) Sherri Matthews 2013
I came to learn that it was a monastery founded in Anglo-Saxon times and the only one which went on to function well into the medieval ages. A wind pump was built into the gate of the ruins left behind. Hence the unusual structure.
Visiting the ruins today, my imagination still runs riot but I will write about this at another time, taking up a post of its own as it merits!
The ghosts of the Norfolk Broads and I go back a long way. They have fascinated and enthralled me for as long as I can remember. So it was, that fifteen years ago and after a gap of many years, I was fortunate enough to take my three children on a Norfolk Broad’s holiday, together with my mum, brother and his family. Eleven of us on two boats!
We cruised and sailed for two glorious weeks in August and it was steaming hot every day. Sometimes things work out better than planned and this was no exception.
As ever, I took my ‘Ghosts of the Broads’ book with me. To my amazement, I soon discovered that the very night we found ourselves mooring up for the night on Barton Broad (a huge expanse of water which, you might be interested to know, Admiral Horatio Nelson himself learnt to sail on as a boy) happened to be the same night that one of these ghostly apparitions was to appear.
If the conditions are perfect, the face of a woman appears in the lake, so the story goes. You can imagine, out there alone on the water with nothing but our ghost stories and hyped up children to tell them to, just what the atmosphere must have been like!
In all my years of ‘ghost hunting’ on the Norfolk Broads, I never did see a ghost, which disappointed me greatly and caused me great relief all at the same time. Quite what I would have done if I had found one of ‘my’ ghosts, I will never know.
However, on this particular night something extraordinary did happen, something that neither I nor my family can explain to this day.
Here then is my ‘bite’ for this week, in 150 words exactly:
Summer Ghosts
South Walsham Broad at dusk – Norfolk Broads
(Not having one handy of Barton Broad, but it sets the scene!) (c) Sherri Matthews 2013
Moored up in a cosy inlet, the winds that earlier had provided a full day’s sailing had died to a breath and Barton Broad lay as smooth as glass.
Orange skies darkened and a light mist danced across the waters. Conversation and laughter echoed beyond the riverbanks, then silence.
I don’t know who saw it first, but in seconds we were all standing on the gunwale, watching.
It was almost dark now, no wind and boating after sunset was forbidden, if not impossible without navigation lights.
A yacht, in full sail as the waters lapped at its bow, forged ahead in the darkness, the moon giving the merest hint of reflection in the water. No helmsman in sight, yet the sails billowed.
We gaped in hushed disbelief, not comprehending this eerie encounter. Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the yacht vanished, swallowed up by the mist.
Just like that.
A View From My Summerhouse 
What a great “bite.” 🙂
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Thanks Lilka, always great fun to take a ‘bite’ out of these challenges 😀
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I love it! Thanks for the cold feeling down my back so early in the morning. Better than tea any day to wake me up!
Fondly,
Elizabeth
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Thanks Elizabeth…but hope your early morning wake up call wasn’t too eerie 😉
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They’re such a unique setting, the Norfolk Broads and I’m thrilled to discover they might each have a ghost ! Or at least that most of the places around them have! I’ve never had a holiday on them and it seems being on a boat would be the only right and proper way to visit them. With ghosts in tow, I’m even more tempted..
Thanks for bringing them alive with this particular memory Sherri and also your many years of holidaying on them – all nicely tied together with a ‘holiday read’! Lisa 😀
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The Norfolk Broads are a delightful place to visit but it has changed a lot since the days when we used to go. It’s good in that a lot of conservation has taken place since the 70’s so the waters are much cleaner, hence the return of beautiful water lilies and fresh water otters which we never saw when we used to go. But there a lot more ‘posher’ boats now – gin palaces – which are far better suited to somewhere like Monaco than the Norfolk Broads. Maybe I’m old fashioned, and believe me, I wouldn’t turn down a trip on a gin palace if offered, ha, but I love the traditional boats 🙂
I could have used Wind in the Willows too as ‘messing about on the river’ inspired me to believe that Ratty lived along the river bank somewhere beneath the willow tree and I tried so hard to see him in his little boat. But, alas, it was not to be! You should definitely try and to there Lisa, it makes for a super holiday…and you never how many ghosts you might just see 🙂
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You are very good at this. After your memoirs I think you should look at writing a book of short stories 🙂
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Oooh…really? Do you think? I do enjoy writing them, I have to admit. Mind you, I do tend to come up with them at the last minute as very patient Lisa can attest! But thanks so much Jude, really appreciate it, you’ve certainly given me food for thought 🙂
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What a good story, Sherri. You capture that shared creepiness brilliantly. Knowing a little of the Broads I’m not surprised to hear about the ghosts; I’ll watch out for spooky yacht next time I’m up at Barton Broad.
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Oh thanks Geoff, so glad you enjoyed this little ghost story and yes, be sure to look out for that spooky yacht…you just never know 😉
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Sherri, woo hoo! A ghost ship! I love it. I love how you created the suspenseful mood. I always learn something from you. I thought Broads was a derogatory (sometimes affectionate) term for certain type of women. 🙂 hehe I want to come visit you!
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Checked back here to see because my comments are disappearing. My comment is here but my “like” is not.
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Hi Luanne…yes, definitely got both comments. I’ve had trouble like this, not being able to like or comment on other blogs. Hope it’s just a blip but it’s very frustrating…thanks for letting me know though.
I’m so glad you loved the ghost story, thank you!! Yes…the Broads, haha!!! 😀 Makes me wonder what some people might be expecting when they come over to read this post. They will be bitterly disappointed when they realise that I’m writing about bodies of water and not the other kind of bodies, LOL!!!
I would love for you to come and visit me… 😀
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Pingback: Holiday Reading | Lisa Reiter - Sharing the Story
Ooh, I’ve got goose bumps! Or do I mean ghost bumps? 🙂 I love your bite sizes, Sherri. I was desperate to see that face but then you wouldn’t have seen me for a month if I had! I’m a proper scaredy cat.
I’m jealous too. I always wanted a boating holiday but it was usually a caravan or cottage in Yorkshire for us. 🙂
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Haha…ghost bumps, love it 😀 I was scared of seeing the face too Jo, it was very spooky being there on Barton Broad the very night that it was supposed to appear, what were the chances? Then to see that yacht like that…hmmmmm…makes me wonder! I’m glad you enjoy these ‘bites’, thank you so much for that as it does really encourage me in my writing.
Nothing wrong with caravans and cottages Jo! Hubby and I had a caravan until a few years ago and loved it and we also love to stay in cottages. It was my grandfather (he was a Lancashire man originally) who started the Norfolk Broads boating tradition in our family when my mum was a girl in the 1930’s. I have many happy memories of those times, very precious 🙂
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Perhaps it was the boy version of Horatio Nelson steering a ghost yacht? I suppose part of the fun of visiting any very ancient place is the amount of ghost stories attached to them.
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Ahh…could be, didn’t think of that, haha!!! Even spookier now! I set myself up that’s for sure with all the ghost story reading and then being right there, but yes, that is definitely part of the fun! Thanks BT 🙂
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Sounds majestic and eeeeerrrrrryyyyy! I’m curious, were you and your family scared ‘in that moment’ or was it peacefully, otherworldly??!!! Inquiring minds need to know! lol What a great story, Sherri! And just so you know – I published the award post from you… I hope you like it! <3. ~Karen~
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Hi Karen! How very Interesting that you ask this question (and I do love an inquiring mind!!) as strangely, although we were all aware that something very odd was happening as we witnessed it, we didn’t feel abject fear or anything, in fact it was quite peaceful but it was definitely ‘otherwordly’. It was only afterwards that we felt spooked by it!! None of us have ever forgotten it. I showed my daughter my ‘bite’ (she is soon to be 22) and she would have been 6 or 7 when it happened and she remembers it clearly too. So glad you enjoyed this little ghost story, and I’ll be right over to you now…thanks so much Karen 🙂 ❤
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That’s so interesting, Sherri. I asked because I had an angel experience as well…this tale would require a bottle of wine, my friend! But, like you, I wasn’t freaked out in the moment, only afterwards did my friend and I say…what just happened! xo. ~Karen~
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Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you Karen, trying to wrap up here before unplugging for a couple of weeks (already getting withdrawal!). I’m absolutely fascinated about your experience with the angel. Definitely a bottle of wine to be shared for this one…I just have to hear this whole story. Wow…you keep giving me chills my friend! My husband has experienced a few ghostly sightings which the family love to hear about and he says just the same thing as you…this is what happens apparently when something truly supernatural occurs. Can’t stop thinking about it… xoxo
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Wow, great story Sherri. I’ve never been to the Norfolk Broads but I’ve got a picture of them in my head as an atmospheric, eerie place, so this experience doesn’t surprise me in the least!
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Oooohhh…thank you Andrea, so glad you enjoyed this ghostly interlude! It is indeed a very atmospheric place and certainly parts of it are very eerie and also very beautiful 😉
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I love Ghost stories!!! You set the mood beautifully!
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Thanks Bev, so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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What a fabulous sighting! And love the description: “the moon giving the merest hint of reflection in the water.” (BTW, did you receive my last email? About the novel?)
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Glad you enjoyed it Susan, thanks! (Emails since sorted 🙂 )
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You weave it all together so beautifully, Sherri, the family vacation, the book and the pictures. (I’m still smiling as I admit that each time I read “Broads” I pictures New York women drinking beer and play pool, or Julia Roberts in MYSTIC PIZZA.)
Like Susan, I also loved the description of the “moon giving the merest hint of reflection in the water.”
Enjoy France, dear Sherri, and be sure and drink your coffee! 🙂
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Haha…that’s funny Marylin,I can just hear that New Yoik accent now, and yes, as I said in reply to Luanne’s comment about ‘Broads’, I do wonder if some readers seeing it in the title might be in for a disappointment when realising that I’m writing about bodies of water and not the other kind of bodies, LOL 😉 Really glad you enjoyed it, thank you so kindly Marylin and for your good wishes too. I will indeed do both…time to wake up and smell the coffee, right? 😀
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I agree with Marylin, you weave it beautifully! Boating day sounds so wonderful, Sherri 🙂
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How kind Amy, thank you so much and really glad you enjoyed this little summer ghost story 😀
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A delightful adventure and awesome read, Sherri. This is such a wonderful childhood memory. Keep writing your bite size memoirs. I so enjoy them. ❤ ❤ ❤ You have so many wonderful stories inside and your excitement is evident.
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Oh I’m very happy to read this Tess, thank you so kindly as it encourages me greatly to keep ‘biting’ as I do enjoy writing them. Never know what will come up from Lisa’s prompts… 😉 but I never thought anyone would want to hear my old boring stories!! Nice isn’t it to be able to share our excitement and keep smiling 😀 ❤ 🙂
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And recall, relive and enjoy old memories. ❤ ❤ ❤ You tell a good story anytime, Sherri.
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That’s so great to know my friend…you’re a star ❤ ❤ ❤
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Wow, Sherri! Since I’m afraid of my own shadow, ghost stories send me hiding under the bed. You story was no different…now I’m covered in dust bunnies. 🙂 Great story! After you hurry up and finish that memoir, you need to start a book of short stories…no pressure! Have a fantastic trip! Be safe! xo
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On no…so sorry Jill!!! Hope you’re all dusted off by now… 😉 No pressure then, haha! It’s always good to have other projects on the back-burner and yes, I’m still writing away on my memoir :D. Thanks so much my friend, one more post a bit later today, over to you and I’ll be off 😀 xoxo
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I couldn’t read those stories. I get nightmares a lot as it is and don’t like to sleep. I hate horror films but love thrillers. Sometimes the thriller borders on horror so it’s a tricky one. I did manage to watch some sort of horror films, like the ‘I know what you did’ and ‘scream’ movies, but that was a long time ago.
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I know what you mean about being too scared to read them. I was too, but it still didn’t stop me. Now I have to be careful what I watch as it plays on my mind. Yet, I love horror (but not the slashers) and thrillers especially psychological thrillers. Ghost stories have always fascinated me, I used to love watching those old Vincent Price Hammer House of Horror films too which I suppose by today’s standards seem lame. But they certainly scared me! I’ve seen both those films you mention and wasn’t sure about them…my daughter has that darn ‘scream’ mask and when she first put it on (this was years ago) she scared our poor cat right out of the room!!!!! My absolute favourites are The Sixth Sense and The Others. Now we’re talking proper ghost stories 🙂
Thanks for sharing your ‘spooky’ thoughts, have a great weekend Sandra 🙂
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I like psychological thrillers and action films the best. I can’t watch the sixth sense, or The Others, or the hammer films. Enjoy your weekend.
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🙂
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I love you my friend but I am never going on the Norfolk Broads with you or anyone! I have one irrational fear and that is ghosts! Remember Cambria!? How you could read those books while there on the water-gives me the shivers. I loved your last ghostly tale but I repeat-never!!!! xoxo
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Haha!!! Oh go on Diane, you can do it…you’ll LOVE it…. haha 😀 Well, how can I ever forget Cambria?! Or jumping out of your seat at the Do Do from the Land Before Time? Or watching The Others with your hands over your eyes???!!!!! You would be jumping at every tiny sound on the Broads my friend. I’m not sure how I managed to read those books to be honest, as I really did scare myself silly, so I’ve only got myself to blame. I’ve got an even scarier ghost story to tell about St. Benet’s Abbey, just you wait… LOL. 😉 ❤ xoxoxo
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Glad I read this during the day. I scare easily and my imagination goes wild if I hear a bump in the night.
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Glad you did too TB…and I know what you mean about our imagination playing tricks. I get worse the older I get! My daughter has introduced me to some really scary stuff (Japanese horror is the worst) and one film I watched with her still haunts me, pun intended!!) Have a great weekend and enjoy this lovely summer weather. I hear it’s even hotter in London…time for the pub yet? Well, it is lunchtime… 😀
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Enthralling — I noticed that this prompt really uncovered a lot of sensory detail in your memory. I’d mine this if I were you… (dig deeper and deeper, there are gems under the surface, I’m sure!)
I want to let you know that I’m going to be slowing way down on my blogging and commenting in the next months. Two reasons — 1) Ken insists, for my health (I’ve been overdoing); 2) I really have to focus on finishing my next books, and I can only spend a certain # of hours each day at the computer.
So, when you don’t hear from me, that doesn’t mean I’m not thinking of you. I am! I’m so grateful to have met you, and I value our online friendship. I hope you’ll bear with me through this season of reclusion. ❤
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Hi Tracy! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed this story so much and yes, I will definitely take your advice and dig deeper with this. I’m intrigued to read your thoughts about this prompt uncovering a lot of sensory detail, gives me much to ponder that! Love the feedback, thank you very much for that, I really value it 🙂
Thanks for letting me know about your time away from blogging, I fully understand and I appreciate you taking the time to do so. I value our online friendship too very much and it’s nice to know that you are still ‘there’ thinking of me, as I am of you…
I have just posted my last post for a couple of weeks too, taking some badly needed time out. Today is my last day catching up with comments etc. and then I’ll be away. It will be very strange, for one week I’ll be totally unplugged and not sure how I’ll cope! Still, it’s important and needs to be done. One week we’ll be away for a much needed holiday.
I look forward to keeping in touch here and there, as and when.
I wish you every success with your writing projects (sounds exciting!) and I’ll see you soon my friend. Take good care of yourself and enjoy the rest of your summer…hugs.. ❤
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Loved the ghost stories
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Thanks so much Donna! Hope you are having a good summer, I’ll catch up with you soon my friend 🙂
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My arms went all of a prickle, as I was reading your tale, Sherri. I love reading about unexplainable events like this. Great writing, and I love your photo which really does set the scene. xx
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Oh I’m so happy that you enjoyed this little ghost story, prickly arms or not, haha!! Thanks so much Sylvia, and I’ll see you soon 🙂 xx
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Great ghost story Sherri! You and I think alike when it comes to ghosts. In all my years of visiting ‘supposedly’ haunted places, I’ve never seen a ghost. It’s disappointing, but a relief at the same time. And, I don’t know what I would do if I ever came into contact with one either.
Have a wonderful vacation in France!!
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I know, it’s strange isn’t it? We are so excited and thrilled at the thought of maybe seeing ‘something’ but then if we did we would be so frightened that we wouldn’t know what to do! They say though that at the actual time of sighting, you don’t feel fear so much as a sense of incomprehension, not quite believing what you are witnessing as you can’t make sense of it. Then afterwards, as you try to remember and make sense of it, you become frightened! That is just how I felt after sighting this ‘ghost yacht’. It was so spooky but at the time it didn’t feel frightening, just surreal. In the cold light of day it was really quite scary!
Thanks so much Theresa, you have a great summer too and I look forward to catching up with you when I get back. See you soon 🙂 xx
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Of course, I always enjoy hearing of your Broads adventures (and misadventures!) Sherri P! It seems you are just as clued up, if not more clued up on the place than I am!
Our friend St. Bennet’s Abbey, eh. It’s always quite the thought to think of just how long that place was operational, and then to see it now. I have never actually been up close to it, but I get what you’re saying about the mystique of the place. It does have SUCH an instant presence when you set sight on it. I look forward to your future post about it, and I look forward to actually going to visit it one day!
Fascinating and chilling story, there. If you are ever planning on coming to the Broads again, you simply must let me know. We shall go ghost-hunting…. or maybe just have a reckless boat race 😉
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Well you know that I had you very much in mind for this post JG, and even more so when I write about St Benet’s Abbey! As you know, having spent so much time there growing up, the Norfolk Broads is very special to me for so many reasons. I suppose since there has been so much that was ‘broken’ in my family in other ways, one of the constants was the Broads and my happy memories of family times spent there.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed this ghostly interlude and yes, wouldn’t it be great to go ghost-hunting together? We could walk around St. Benet’s (and is it one ‘n’ or two? I’ve seen conflicting spellings….) at night and listen to the howling wind as it whips through the old ruins against the backdrop of the churning waters of the dark and wild River Bure coursing beside us. We might even hear the distant scream of the headless horseman as he carries his victim into the very flames of hell…
or we could just have a reckless boat race instead…
Take care JG and see you soon my friend 🙂
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Great reads that keeps the heart pumping excitedly. Beautiful images that have us wanting for more adventures. I hope this comment reach you before you’re on your holiday break. I will be too starting next week since I will be following my wife and son for a long overdue family Summer. I will be going back to my first home. My parents don’t know yet. Suppose to be a surprise but I may have to tell my mom because she’s anti-surprise. The last time I went home, I surprised her but she wasn’t happy. She wants to be all prepared. Oh, well, whatever makes our love ones happy, right? As for Bournemouth, I would like to see it again. One day was simply a tiny fraction of all it’s possibilities. I would love to have coffee, a picnic by the seaside with you and your family one day. I believe, the world is way smaller than we think. Have a great Summer. God bless to you and your family.
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Ahh…thanks so much my friend, I am indeed reading this before I leave for my break, wrapping up this morning before signing off which feels very strange I have to admit! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this story and I hope to write about more adventures to capture the imagination!
I’m so happy to know that you will be joining your wife and son this week (and hope you get this before you go!!) I can fully understand that you want to surprise your mom like that, and how wonderful, but yes, I can also understand her wanting to be prepared to welcome you, her precious son and his beautiful family! I think I would be the same if my boys did that to me, LOL 😉
And yes, whatever makes our loves ones happy, absolutely… 🙂
Who would ever guess that we would have Bournemouth as another connection? The world is indeed a small place and the possibilities are endless…let’s keep that picnic in mind, a wonderful summer-to-look-forward-to!
As we both leave for our summer travels, I thank you so very much for your lovely wishes and I wish for you and your family just the same…a wonderful family reunion, as you squeeze out every single drop of joy, love, happiness and laughter in these precious, unforgettable family times spent together. I know for a fact that your mom will be overjoyed to have you back with her. I just had both my darling sons home and a mother’s heart is constantly overflowing with love for her children, no matter how old they are! God bless you my friend, have a wonderful summer and see you soon. Happy, safe travels… 😀
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
This took me back to a holiday on the Norfolk broads nearly 40 years ago. Wonderful way to spend a couple of weeks – pubs very handily spaced out. Also it is that time when we think about what we are going to read on holiday – at least today instead of packing 4 or 5 heavy books in our luggage we can carry as many as we like on our Kindle or Kobo – happy summer reading.
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Thank you so much Sally for reblogging my post. It’s lovely to know that you have experienced a holiday on the Norfolk Broads too! The pubs are indeed very handily spaced out and it’s lovely taking all those walks along country lanes to get to them after a day out on the water. Nothing like it! As for all that summer reading, I don’t have an e-reader but I’m working on it! I’ve left a comment over on your blog. It’s great to meet you, and a very happy summer’s reading to you too – Sherri 😀
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Absolutely love how you tie the book you picked to the trip at sea and the ghost. Very vivid descriptions and feelings. Your poem put me right there. Chilling and eerie. Perfect for a summer night on the lake where I am now. Great post, Sherri.
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Thank you so much Evelyne, this is a great compliment, I am delighted that you enjoyed it so much, especially as you are out on the lake! Nothing like being by the water for a great ghost story, right? Have a wonderful break and be sure to look out for that ghost yacht…you just never know… 😉
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Spooky. The children must have been beside themselves. A lovely piece of flash which really captured the essence of the moment. Well done. Cheers Irene 🙂
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They were Irene, especially the three younger ones! Their eyes were like organ stops! None of us have ever forgotten it, needless to say! So glad you enjoyed it, thanks very much as always. See you soon and cheers to you my friend. We’ll have a good long walk and catch up when I get back 🙂
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🙂
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Your book sounds better than a horror film. Isn’t there something amazing about being able to totally transport ourselves with a book? No special effects, make up, scripts, direction. Just imagination and atmosphere.
________________________________
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‘Just imagination and atmosphere’… Absolutely! Better than any film, especially when out in the middle of a huge expanse of water with nothing but the mist and the moonlight and the ghost yacht sailing by just ahead of you.. ! It’s a great book Denise, the writing is quite old fashioned as I think it was written originally in the 40s, but the stories are all very rich and documented as true stories, in which case, the Norfolk Broads are positively loaded with ghosts 🙂
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Spooky!
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It was very spooky Marie 🙂
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Ha! You have a unique way of learning about and remembering the places you visit. Being in the setting of the story will imprint quite well the story and the place in your memory. I understand that there’s a kind of excitement in wondering whether the legend will be true or not. Somehow, one wishes that the stories come true and don’t come true at the same time.
What you witnessed was spooky, a scene right out of Twilight Zone. I do not know, if I were the one in your place, if I wanted a realistic explanation for what happened, or just wish it to be as it seemed to be. Even if it is spooky, there is a kind of magic in witnessing that kind of reality.
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Hi Imelda! Lovely to return to your message here and so glad you enjoyed this little ghost story, thank you so much! Part of me thinks of all the rational explanations but as you say, the other part wants to believe that it was truly supernatural! It certainly was very Twilight Zone-ish (one of my all-time favourite shows!). It was a unique, magical and incredible experience, especially since it was shared with all my family like that and to this day none of us have ever forgotten it!
We are back now from France and I’m catching up so I will be over to you as soon as I can! I hope you are enjoying a super summer with your family and that all is well…see you soon 🙂
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