Adrian the Monk - 2025

Report: Ghost Hunting in North Devon! (29.8.2025)

With most of the lights off by 11pm, I sat on my religious chair (the Church dates back to the 14th century – and so does the chair). I cleared my mind and immersed myself into the ancient nature of the stone-work. The stone was cool to the touch – I went bare-foot to ground myself – and felt the calm structure of the place. No fear, no deception, and nothing to worry about, Although I neither support or oppose theology – I sensed the spiritual feel that all the attendees developed and projected into rge physical structure of the place. In many places in the UK, the Christians deliberately built their Churches on already existing Pagan sites of ancient spirituality – with nothing to do with a Christian god. The mistake that Christians make is that their own mind creates the religion they believe in – but they mistakenly believe that their religion exists “outside” their heads, independent of the mind that generates it. The perception is inverted and the wrong way around.

Ancient Church Full of Spirits!

North Devon: Ghost-Hunting at St Peter’s Church – Bratton Fleming! (26.8.2025)

Of course, if there is some type of residual leftover following death – then I will be more than willing to experience its presence. No problem – no resistance. I am free – so I choose to sit here. There is a sense of profound peace about it all – but at the beginning there was a mixture of sweat and coldness happening all at once. Many ghost-hunters find this significant – but these things can be experienced in many places. Whatever the case, my body has now adapted to its environment and I habitually wrap a blanket around me – like robe.

Rockingham Castle - Battlements!

Rutland: Visiting Rockingham Castle! (29.7.2025)

Despite visiting Duddington (in Northants) regularly since 2009, we had never seen any signs for “Rockingham” – and wondered where this place was. Furthermore, whereas King Henry VIII used to frequent “Nonsuch” (in Sutton and Cheam – where we live) – I am told that King John (1166-1216) of Magna Carta fame, used to spend his leisure time staying at Rockingham Castle – which is near Rockingham village. He used to hunt in the local woods. Apparently, Henry VIII granted the castle (the Norman version of which is currently over 950-years old) to the Watson family (it was leased to Edward Watson in 1544). Prior to this, the general area the castle is now constructed upon possessed a Roman (a coin production industry) – and then a Saxon (Lord Bovi) – presence. The locale of Rockingham (probably the nearby village) is mentioned in the 1066 Doomsday Book – with the castle proper being built between 1066-1071.

Priest House - Easton-on-the-Hill - Family

Easton-on-the-Hill: Priest House [Chantry] 15th Century! (28.7.2025)

Although we have visited the general area a number of time – we had never seen this exhibit or been told about it. As we are currently staying in the locale – this place came-up in an internet search about something else. Like many such attractions, even at the height of Summer, there is only ever a trickle of visitors – which is a good thing for all concerned. We were handed the key, instructed to be careful on the old spiralling stone staircase, and turn-off all the lights when we are finished. There is even a toilet on site that is accessed with a key. Everything was perfectly clean, tidy, and in good order. Our two-daughters watched a short video film about the area, its history and industry! The photographs will tell the story of what we saw. A truly magnificent historical site that emerged out of the single most important and Revolutionary event (the “Dissolution of the Monasteries”) that forged modern Britain and the world!

Duddington Bridge - 2025

Northants: Ancient Duddington – Tixover Bridge! (27.7.2025)

As soon as we entered the graveyard – everyone started shouting-out the name “Wyles”! I was astonished as I had become so used to having a name that hardly anyone had heard of. It turns-out that names in the UK – just like anywhere in the world – developed in local areas and spread-out as populations moved about. It turned-out that Duddington has been cut-off from mainstream society for years – with my direct relatives not leaving until around 1905. Even today – the world has passed Duddington by. None of the broader changes of society have touched Duddington at all. The local population today are wealthy and conservative with a “C” and “c”. Although I do not share these views myself – I have to admit that these attitudes have preserved my family history until I became aware of it – and have been able to gather all the data together for anyone interested to benefit freely from it. Today, myself and Gee headed to Duddington around 6aam in the morning to get some early research in. We are staying in the Duddington area to carry-out some much needed genealogical investigations and we are making important headways already!

Guizhou Giant Foot-Print!

China: Giant Footprints Found Deep in the Mountains! (1.6.2025)

As the origin of this giant footprint has remained a mystery for so many years, it has attracted countless curious tourists to the area. “We came here out of curiosity, and we could see that it was a left foot, and it was not left by an ordinary person, who looked like they had never worn shoes. The toes are clearly visible,” speculated Younger (Paternal) Uncle Hu [胡] – who lives hundreds of kilometres away. In order to find out the truth, some people even brought a ruler to measure the imprint.

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