Sorry, I meant the other left. I'm pretty sure it can't be a pirate's ghost, as they were rare on British inland waterways, even on the Severn (at least as high as Gloucester). The arm also looks rather, shall we say, sleek- not at all gnarly. More like a landlady's arm. I once heard of a landlord who'd been struck down by God- he was found dead on the cellar steps, clutching a jug which still held water, and the locals were convinced that he'd been taken whilst in the act of watering the beer. I wonder if any Gloucester ladladies were similarly wicked.

But another thing is puzzling- I thought ghosts were supposed to be frightening, so why is it hiding? Are they as scared of us as we of them, a bit like big spiders are supposed to be?