I had a childhood of constant old wives tales and superstitions from all corners of the family. There was much clutching of collars if we saw an ambulance. The collar could only be released when we subsequently saw a four legged animal. Magpies had to be greeted with a polite "Good morning Mr Magpie", money was turned over on the full moon, new shoes were never put on a table, wood was always touched, an itchy right palm meant you were going to part with money but an itchy left palm meant you would receive money, rain on St Swithin's Day meant a certain 40 days of washing being dried indoors, Black cats crossing our path brought good luck. Frankly I could go on for pages but fortunately I have never been superstitious ~ touch wood!
