This year our Ten Things series, on the tenth of each month, is concentrating on things which are wackier than usual, if not by much. From odd road names to Christmas carols by way of saints and scientists. So here goes with July …

Ten Pieces of Weather Lore

1. Red sky at night, shepherds’ delight,
   red sky in a morning, shepherds’ warning.
2. Onion skins very thin,
   mild winter coming in.
   Onion skins thick and tough,
   coming winter cold and rough.
3. Oak before ash, we’re in for a splash;
   Ash before oak, we’re in for a soak.
4. If there’s ice in November that will bear a duck,
   There’ll be nothing after but sludge and muck. (right)
5. If there is a halo round the sun or moon,
   then we can all expect rain quite soon.
6. A piece of seaweed hung up will become damp before it rains.
7. When the dew is on the grass,
   Rain will never come to pass.
   When grass is dry at morning light,
   Look for rain before the night.
8. Spiders leave their webs when it is going to rain.
9. St Swithun’s day [15/07], if thou dost rain,
   For forty days it will remain;
   St Swithun’s day, if thou be fair,
   For forty days ’twill rain no more.
10. If in October leaves still hold,
    The coming winter will be cold.