In August 1981, after working in Spain, my wife and I were returning to the UK via France. On a journey between Alencon and Rouen, the exact location of which I don't know except that it was closer to Rouen than Alencon. We drove along a very straight stretch of road with elevated planes on both sides; I felt like something was telling me that I should take a break from driving. I slid onto the grass by the road. We ate and had a drink and I got out of the car to stretch my legs, there was little traffic on the road and the area was completely silent. I walked around the back of the car and stood looking back at the road we had come from and thought to myself how silent and peaceful it was.
I stood there for only a few seconds when I had the distinct and uncanny feeling that I was not alone. Sure, my wife was in the car, but it was outside. It was as if there were several other people with me, as if I was in the middle of a diminutive group. I looked around me – not a soul in sight! This feeling didn't go away – the group didn't leave me, I felt surrounded, nothing aggressive, just peace and silent. I shivered slightly, as if there was a chill in the air, yet the day was quite sunlit and sultry.
It was nothing I could touch, just a presence. Feeling a little stupid and awkward, I shuffled back to the door, opened it, and sat down. “They” only left when I closed the door. Not wanting to sound stupid or cause ridicule, I didn't mention anything to my wife other than how peaceful and silent the area was, and we continued our journey to Boulougne. This event stayed in my mind for many years.
Research shows that during World War I there was a enormous military hospital in the area, as well as an extensive military cemetery.
Was the presence I felt then really the spirit of those times; if so, I pay tribute to their memory and sacrifice, one soldier to another.
Or maybe I was already subconsciously aware that the area and terrain I was standing in had been heavily fought during the recent World War II and many people had died? Have I been more open because of my loyalty to those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom?
I don't know, except that it seemed real enough to me at the time, it was and still is a little disturbing. I never believed in ghosts and such, but I couldn't explain that feeling then and I can't explain it now.
After all these years, I can only say that there was definitely a presence around me that day.
More intriguingly, did “They” suggest that I stop?
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