My family visited London eight or so years ago. During the first half of the visit, we stayed at Shangri-La at The Shard. We had a one-hundred-eighty-degree view of the city and were steps away from Jack the Ripper’s old stomping grounds. I watched the trains from above, hypnotized. Glitzy, fun, and brand-spanking-new, we’d made plans to switch hotels midway through the trip to an older property on the other side of the city.
After a short cab ride, we were curbside at The Milestone, an historic property across the street from Kensington Gardens
We occupied two rooms that had separate entrances, but were connected inside by a u-shaped hallway. They were split-level and the kids had a powder-blue room, while we enjoyed a brown and plaid suite.
This is where I need to explain that years ago my kids and I made a solemn vow that if we experience anything strange or supernatural in a hotel, we’re not allowed to talk about or acknowledge it until we’ve checked out.
Four days later on the cab ride to Heathrow Airport, we spilled the beans. The kids had seen a grumpy old lady. If they left their things, clothes and whatnot, in a mess, they could sense her judging them. They felt her presence was strongest in the bathroom. The woman was a nanny or nurse.
Next, I shared my experience. The first night of our stay, I woke up to the voice of a child calling, “Mama? Mama?” It was so clear, I went to the other room to check on my kids, who were both deep asleep. Once, twice, three times, this occurred. The second night, I heard the child again, but remained asleep. Overly hot, I poked my hand out from beneath the comforter and felt a small, cold hand lace her fingers through mine. “Mama,” she said. Half-asleep, I smiled knowing she sensed my Mama Bear vibes. I woke to find a little girl standing beside the bed 6-8 years old. She wore a pretty white dress and had long, dark curly hair. I’ll never forget her eyes, ice-blue, pupils dilated from fear. She was afraid. I hoped my hand gave her comfort.
My kids stared stunned across the cab. That’s when they explained that throughout our stay at The Milestone, they’d seen an orb following close behind me.
Once we were stateside, I researched the property. At one time, over a hundred years prior, it had housed a wealthy Russian family. They, tragically, lost their little girl there to illness. It would make sense that the girl would have an older nanny or nurse, which would explain what my kids saw and felt.
I wrote up a review of our rooms and posted on Travelocity. At least once a year I receive an email from someone that has experienced their own paranormal activity in the same set of rooms.
Wishing you a safe and happy Halloween. If you are looking for a great seasonal book, try Four Tombstones, which begins on Halloween night when four teens visit an historic cemetery in Seattle to make tombstone rubbings. Curious about the people buried beneath the stones, they unearth four mysteries they are compelled to solve. Find it at all of your favorite online retailers. Until next time, wishing you health and love, Jennifer.