The Ghost Walk
Join me for a pre-dinner walk around the streets of the village, in the company of the Ghosts of Prince Albert.
We set out at dusk and wander through the streets as darkness descends. The stories introduce you to characters who have lived here over the years - and the ghosts who don't want to leave! A light-hearted "one-woman show" on the move, which reveals some of the village's treasures and hidden skeletons. Suitable for children of ten and older, who must be accompanied by an adult.
The walk takes 1½ hours.
OFFERED YEAR ROUND
WE CURRENTLY START AT 6.00PM OUTSIDE AFRICAN RELISH COOKERY SCHOOL IN KERKSTRAAT
BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL
The walk is through the streets, along pavements and roads, so sensible shoes are best.
All walks taken at your own risk!
For bookings contact Ailsa on mobile phone or whatsapp on 084 673 1710 or e-mail: story@storyweaver.co.za
Setting out on a Spring GHost Walk with Nico and Ansie September 2018Setting out on a Spring Ghost Walk with Nico and Ansie
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A Karoo Tale: A Prince Albert Ghost Story – of sorts
Some years ago I took a group of children on the Ghost Walk with their parents. We had a very special evening, they were delightful youngsters who asked lots of questions and had many theories about the local ghosts. They were all intrigued with the Museum Ghost and the next day one of the Dads took them to investigate. They had obviously been talking about the Ghost Walk and as they arrived at the Museum the father dug Jonathan, our curator, in the ribs and quietly said “Deny everything... play along!” Jonathan wondered what was coming…
One of the lads asked. “Is there someone called Ailsa in the town?” “No,” said Jonathan, “I’ve never heard that name, it’s an unusual name isn’t it?”
The children exchanged glances, “Well, is there someone who takes people on Ghost Walks?”
“No,” said Jonathan, “not that I know of, what a good idea, perhaps we should start one!”
“There,” said one of the children, “I told you she was a ghost!”
“I’ve been thinking about it,” said another, “did anyone touch her?” The little group considered this and decided no-one had.
“Imagine if you had,” said the father, “perhaps your hand would have gone right through her!”
They nodded wisely and asked Jonathan to show them the ghost’s room. Each of the children walked through the room on their own to see if they could feel anything! Meanwhile Jonathan was dying to get to the phone to let me know what had happened.
When they left the Museum one bright spark in the group said, “Let’s go and ask the lady at the Tourism Office.” So they all traipsed in to ask Charlotte if there was a Ghost Walk. Father stood behind them, waving his hands and mouthing "NO!"
“No,” said Charlotte, “not that I know of, but what a good idea, perhaps we should start one!”
Then there is the mysterious phantom dog story...
In October 2020 Danie Niehaus, a visitor from Jeffrey’s Bay, descendant of a Prince Albert family, came to tell me a ghostly mystery story about an event which happened in the street where I live.
Years ago his father told him about a phantom dog in a house in Markstraat. He had been asleep in an outside room, the door was locked yet he was woken from a deep sleep by the sound of the door opening and closing and a dog bounding into the room. The dog scratched at the mat beside the bed and settled down with a deep groan. There was no light to be switched on, nor a torch to hand, he gingerly got out of bed in the dark and reached the door - which was still locked. Opening it he looked back at the mat. No dog lay there.
The following night he took a torch to bed with him. Once again he was woken by the door opening, a dog settling - his torchlight revealed nothing. When he told his tale his brother scoffed, what had he been eating to have such nightmares and flights of fancy? So he challenged him to spend the night in the room with him. That night, no doubt because he was now used to the noise, he slept soundly and awoke in the morning to find the door open and his brother sitting outside, still shocked by the experience of the door flying open, a dog charging in and then finding nothing there.
If anyone in Markstraat can add to the story both Danie and I would be very pleased to hear from you. Might someone be able to explain the horse galloping down the street at 3.00am from time to time too?
I am a registered South African Tour Guide: CATHSSETA 613/C/085000, Western Cape registration WC2911
