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Haunted Europe

In the hundreds of years since civilization was established in Europe, the land has seen much life and experienced much history. It is understandable then that the energies that have passed through these countries have left their imprint, which can be experienced through spirits and other paranormal activities.

Glamis, Tayside in Scotland is the ancestral home of the Earls of Strathmore and the setting for Macbeth. When the sixth Lord Glamis died, his wife, Lady Janet Glamis, lost her husband and her protection.

King James V took out his hatred for the family by accusing Lady Janet of using witchcraft to try to kill him. After she was found guilty, she was burned at the stake in 1537 on Castle Hill, Edinburgh.  Lady Janet can still be seen above the clock tower and in the chapel. 

Affairs of the heart frequently result in a ghostly attachment. At Ruthin, Denbighshire in North Wales the Grey Lady enjoyed her life as the wife of a commanding officer when King Edward I and his armies inhabited the castle. When she discovered her husband was having an affair with a local peasant woman, the lady killed her. She was executed for her crime and buried near the castle walls outside of consecrated ground. You can still see her grave and you might catch the Grey Lady herself walking on the battlements or in the banqueting hall that was originally a chapel.

Star-crossed lovers found only tragedy at Burgh-le-Marsh, Lincolnshire in England. The daughter of Sir William Massingberd, who built the house in 1700, wanted to marry one of her father’s servants. The couple planned to elope, but when Sir William found out, he shot the servant and used the pond as his grave. The couple now spends eternity together walking by the pond along the Ghost Walk. You’ll know they are there when you feel extreme cold.

If you ever find yourself in Osnabrueck-Haste in Germany at midnight, be sure to move out of the way and close your eyes when Charlemagne and his army ride by. Nasty things are said to have happened to those who did not show proper humility. This site of Charlemagne's Stones is said to be an ancient pagan place of worship. Several large standing stones can still be seen. Witchcraft and strange rituals supposedly still occur here especially around winter solstice and summer equinox. Reportedly there have been sightings of strange orbs, the sound of disembodied howls and stains on the stones.

At Euro Disney in France you will find more than Mickey and Minnie. A mysterious energy can be felt in the small children's section. A ghostly grim reaper named Ankou haunts Brittany, on the northwest tip of France. Journey to Monts d'Aree to visit the Gates of Hell. The locals so named this spot because of the many ghost sightings. In Alais, France, the voice and figure of Guy de Torno continues to watch over his wife in a private residence. The ghost of Joan of Arc haunts the basilica at Domremy, which is dedicated to her memory, and the entire court of Marie Antoinette appears in the gardens of Trianon in Versailles.

Take a companion if you are out walking at night near the Belvedere Fort in Florence. On the other side of the Arno River lies a plot developed after the onset of the Industrial Revolution. Witches were burned there at the stake and people were jailed, exiled and murdered on the site. Footsteps may be heard on the abandoned cobbled streets and voices in empty alleyways. The Belvedere Fort itself once divided the countryside from the inner city in the Middle Ages. Ghosts, shadows and wraiths walk beside the wall, vanish beneath the street lamps then reappear among the shadows.

In the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, a volcano erupted burying the city and 2,000 people. Screams, shadows and the smell of sulfur have been experienced here. The gladiators continue to fight in the Coliseum in Rome. People have reported hearing the noise of swords clashing, horses snorting and chariots running at night.

Wherever you might find yourself in Europe, may it not be alone at night or you might want to learn how to whistle.

 

Protecting Your Laptop Computer From Theft

Computer theft ranks second only to viruses as the top computer issue companies face. The portability and technology offered by laptop computers make them attractive to users as well as thieves. Use the following tips to keep your computer safe and sound and in your possession. 

Keep your laptop with you. Even leaving your possessions for a moment could result in a disappearing act. 

Keep your laptop out of sight. If a thief doesn’t know you have a computer, they are unlikely to steal it.  

Use an inconspicuous carrying case. Something as simple as a backpack will protect your laptop and keep thieves at bay. 

Label the computer. It works as a deterrent to potential thieves and may help catch them if the laptop is stolen. 

Attach cables. The airport is not the only spot a thief could nab your computer. One CEO had his laptop stolen during a presentation he was giving as he walked through the audience answering questions. If your computer has a Universal Security Slot, use it to attach a security cable that you then wrap around an immobile object such as a desk. Go with a tubular cylindrical lock instead of tumbler locks, which are easier to pick. 

Laptop safes offer another option. Portable safes for the trunk of a vehicle or a desk protect the computer and all its peripherals. 

Set the alarm. Unexpected noises attract attention and discourage thieves. A variety of products are available with different triggering mechanisms. Be aware of false alarms in dead zones or interference from things like metal beams or radio sources. 

Taking these precautions will protect not only your property, but also any sensitive information that may be stored on your laptop.