Hi,
A good thread. I fish mostly at night and very often on my own. Have never had any ghostly experiences whilst fishing, but have often jumped at the sudden close appearance of a fox, or once, when a small mouse jumped out of a rucksack as I went to retrieve some gear...
I've always been open to the idea of ghosts though, and used to think that if I ever saw one, I'd try to make contact...
Back in my late teens - I'm 51 now, I had passed my car test but had no car temporarily - it was off the road - and had a good mate that was a learner, so I would sit in with him, and we'd go off into Bournemouth, clubbing. Most times, we would get back to his place at 2am ish and I'd start the 1.5 mile walk home...
This particular night, it was extremely bright - full moon and clear sky, and as still as still - the sort of night where it is so quiet, it is deafening - only people that spend a lot of time out at night will know what I mean by this...
I walked down the hill, and turned into a side road - the pavement I was walking on had houses to the right, and the other side of the road was wooded for a short distance, leading to an open grassy area about 1/4 mile long, and 30 yrds wide with a stream at the edge. The other side of the stream were a few trees and then the back gardens of some large houses that were well fenced and out of view generally.
As I came to the end of the trees, I looked along the open grassy area, through the odd trees that were on the grassy side, to the far end. I became aware of a strange white shape at the far end that appeared to be moving my way. I assumed it was a patch of mist at first, but there was no wind and this was moving. Brain searching for an explanation, I reasoned that it was a couple of swans making their way back to the lake on the oposite side of the main road that I had just turned off. Unusual yes, but not impossible due to the very clear and bright night. Trouble was that swans make a lot of noise when flying and I was hearing nothing. I started to get concerned as I was running out of explanations which was making me strangely uneasy and I felt very alone....
The white shape continued to come my way, and was almost incandescent - a very bright white hazy effect. It was holding a line about 10 yrds my side of the stream and once nearer, i could see it was the shape of a person in full cloak, including hood - no features, but unmistakenly the shape of a woman - the exact negative of the old scottish widows woman in the old advert. By this time I was absolutely struck with fear and couldn't move - I was pinned up against a wooden fence about 20 yrds past the wooded area, and watched as the figure went past me. It was floating about 4 ft off the ground, making it appear to be about 12ft tall, and just vanished into thin air when it got to the trees.
I suddenly found the strength to move again, and didn't stop running until I got home - it was a really unsettling experience and one I wouldn't want to repeat again.
Because I was sitting in with my mate, there was no alcohol involved by the way...
I've thought about this many, many times since, and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I saw a ghost that night.
Regards,
Mart.