I began investigating with Paranormal Tours as a customer at the beginning of 2004. My first investigation was at Farnham Castle in Surrey and from that day forward I was obsessed. And unlike many who take this journey, my passion for the investigation was not born out of any kind of paranormal experience. For me it was quite the opposite � I had found within me an interest not only to discover that elusive proof of a supernatural world, but also a desire to cut through what I believed was a veil of suggestion, psychological manipulation and simple coincidence. I began to find myself questioning my own beliefs in the paranormal, born out of a frustration of not having experienced anything for myself.

After my first year of investigating came to an end I was astonished to receive a proposal from Andrew to come along to some more events as a member of the Paranormal Tours team. I had wrongly assumed that my ever-growing scepticism had dampened his enthusiasm for welcoming me into the fold � in fact it was quite the opposite. I was aware that my opinions might clash with the more spiritually minded team members, but I had always been brought up to believe that opinions are not excuses to remain ignorant about the subjects you study and the people who share these experiences. For the next 10 months I worked alongside fellow crew members as Crew, running vigils with the groups and observing the event from something of a distance. I had become fascinated with the psychological effects of the investigation, captivated by the reactions of the groups and their impressions of supposed activity occurring a round them.

During my first year with the crew I took on the responsibility of conducting the equipment workshops, where I would introduce the teams to the various devices and tools of our trade. I have always tried to use these workshops to encourage the groups to consider a more objective approach to the investigation, by embracing the technological and scientific elements as a way to help them verify some of the more subjective phenomena. I also use this time to discuss the dangers of auto-suggestion, and to help educate the teams on some of the psychological effects of an investigation. My �mantra� for these investigations has always remained simple � once you have eliminated all possible logical explanations, whatever is left, however implausible, must be the truth.

In the last two years of leading events for paranormal tours I have yet to encounter any revolutionary paranormal experiences, and this may be because I have set the bar that much higher than everybody else. Some of my most trusted friends and companions within the team, who share a degree of my scepticism, have been more fortunate, but I am sure it is just a matter of time for me.

As I approach the end of 2007 and 4 years investigating I am no less a believer than I am a sceptic. To be open-minded about the paranormal is not simply the responsibility of those who do not believe � although I encourage us all to expand our little piece of the universe and try a capture a glimpse of the possibilities. It is also the responsibility of those, like me, who do believe, to be open-minded enough to accept that most experiences and phenomena can be supported by logical and objective explanations. And when you are able to eliminate all rational causes beyond any doubt, only then are you left with something, however improbable, which will make the journey all the more worthwhile.