Another Realm

Twenty-five years ago I was walking in rural Shropshire on land owned by a friend. It was in quite a remote part of the county but I knew the area very well.

Whilst enjoying the fresh air, I strayed into a thicket/small wood. It looked like everything was dead; no greenery, etc. As I entered everything changed. I felt the most oppressive feeling I have ever known. Everything felt wrong and I sensed I was not alone.

I stumbled through this area for what felt like an eternity. I saw what looked like shadows of humans and a shadowy dog-like figure. All I knew was that I had to get out and do it quick. It was a truly wretched place. The shadowy figures were in my opinion wraiths of some sort. The atmosphere was dark and brooding. As if it were twilight not the middle of the day.

Eventually I got out and everything returned to as it should be. The birds started singing, and a warm breeze lifted my spirits (no pun intended). I have no explanation as to what happened. I certainly didn't imagine it. It was if I had entered another realm, one I was not welcome in. It was if it had its own unique atmosphere. Maybe it was a gateway to some other world. That part of Shropshire is right on the Welsh border and I think it was once in Wales. Maybe some Celtic site of old?

The thing that most got me was the heavy atmosphere in that terrible place. It was heavy and grim. It had gotten so dark whilst I was in there. It really was another world, one of shadow and sorrow. It felt depressing and decaying all at once. Not somewhere I am planning to visit anytime soon.