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August 27, 2010
The Brighton Lanes Ghost walk Part 5
As with every great series like 'The Office' or 'West Wing', there has to be a final episode, and we have reached that today. From here on, sadly, you'll have to find something else to do with your life. But I understand your pain.
The thing is, we've now returned to the pub where we started, 'The Druid's Head.' Our actor friend took the money at the beginning, so that's sorted, but he does have one final story.
The Druid's Head pub apparently has two secret passages beneath it. One leads down to the sea, and was used by smugglers on the 'Rum run'. The other passage way leads to the Brighton Pavilion nearby, and was used by the Prince Regent for a different sort of smuggling - smuggling prostitutes into the palace.
The Druid's Head is haunted; it has to be really, but I wasn't listening too closely by this time. The actor was trying, but he was at best an average performer, and when his material dipped, so did the experience. I was now somehwere else.
The walk was billed as 'Frightening!' to promote business. And of course I too hammed it all up at the beginning, like some circus barker getting in the crowds. After all, most of us like to be a little spooked, from the comfort and security of our arm chairs. But d'you know what? As the sun goes down on this August day in Brighton, and a chill wind blows from the sea, I'm thinking its alot more sad than frightening.
Our actor friend has done his best to thrill, playing always for the scream. But really, as the stories have unfolded, there's been little to do but cry and wonder as the unresolved pain of figures from the past makes nonsense of boundaried time, and walks unbidden through the centuries' walls in search of relief.
As the eras melt before our eyes, and past and present unite in strange union, we stand in the eternal now, present with those before us, and with those still to come. Mmmmm....
So yes, the Brighton Lanes Ghost walk has been a haunting experience -just not the one I was expecting.
Posted by Mr Bojangles at August 27, 2010 03:10 PM