Ghost Hunters International

The ghost hunters are back and they are going international. Looks like Jason and Grant are leaving this one up to some of their associates. Andy is back and looks all grown up but no less geeky. Brian is also back as tech manager. Not a big surprise there since Steve is afraid of flying. As Steve himself says, the only thing he is not afraid of is ghosts. Considered the most haunted castle in the UK, Chillingham Castle in Northumberland, England is the first stop. The castle has a dungeon in which people were tortured before they were murdered. Sightings include full body apparitions and even animals. Andy and Robb right away debunk one apparition which turns out to be a suit of armor and a weather vane atop the castle which could look like something looking over the edge of the turret. Meanwhile in the chapel, Donna and Shannon had their video and audio batteries drained. Donna became uneasy and pulled out her rosary while telling the spirits that they are in a chapel and the spirits aren't allowed to hurt them. I guess they listened, no one was hurt. Never underestimate the power of the rosary! Barry and Donna team up in the lower dungeon where Barry feels something brush against his hand and Donna pulls out the rosary again. Nothing was caught on video but a few names where captured on audio. "Christ" was heard in the chapel, "Toby" and "James" were heard in the Grey room. Toby, it turns out, was the name of a dog that lived in the castle and James may have referred to James II who was beheaded in the castle. Kind of disappointing given the history and the sightings by others. I guess I was hoping for the ghosts to come out and do a song and dance! Just kidding guys, good job! Second stop on the international tour is Mary King's Close in Edinburgh, Scotland. A Close is an alleyway and this one has been built over and sealed since 1743 when people died of the Black Plague. That should generate some activity. Tours are given here and one area in particular, Anne's room, is supposedly where a little girl died from the plague and people bring in toys and money to help her feel better. The money, by the way, goes to a local children's hospital. While in this room, Barry and Brian try to get Anne to come out by removing some of the toys and telling the spirit they are going to burn the toys. Sure enough, they get a 10 degree temperature drop and the ion detector goes crazy. Nice guys, tell a little girl you are going to burn her toys! I'm surprised she didn't come out and scare you! In one of the houses, a piece of foam rubber falls over and freaks out Donna and Shannon. I'm sure Donna whipped out that rosary again! They also hear what sounds like a horse and buggy which turns out to be Barry and Brian removing the toys from the other room. Shame on you guys! Poor little Anne is probably still looking for those toys! Again, not a lot of activity for someplace you would expect it. Someone did photograph a shadow outside one of the houses and in the next picture it was gone. They did go back to look, and there was nothing on that wall. OOOOOO! Both investigations this week did not earn enough evidence to be called haunted. Hopefully next week will pick up! Double D