Cows pointing north, mares' tails and a ring round the Moon... Can you really trust a little yokel knowledge?
It has long been part of countryside folklore that cows have an innate sense of direction.
And after studying thousands of satellite images of herds of cattle, scientists have discovered that the animals really do align themselves with the Earth's magnetic field, and tend to point north.
But what about the other sayings and superstitions which have long guided rural life?
Rural wisdom: Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett as country bumpkins
'You should never pick a blackberry after October 10 - it will be the Devil's fruit.'
IS IT TRUE? According to biblical myth, Lucifer was kicked out of heaven on Michaelmas Day (September 29) - which corresponds with October 10 in the pre-1752 Julian calendar. Some believed that he expressed his displeasure by spitting, stamping or urinating on a blackberry bush - thus spoiling the fruit.
It is often the case that late autumn blackberries are not as tasty as those picked in the summer. But this is more likely due to an early frost turning the berries to mush.
Or, since many bramble bushes are found by the roadside, the chances are that by the end of the season a passing dog may well have cocked its leg against the lower-hanging berries. Either way, it's best to avoid them.
'When dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass' and,
'When grass is dry in the morning light, look for rain before the night,' are both sayings believed to predict weather.
ARE THEY TRUE? According to the Farmers' Almanac, these ditties are scientifically proven.
Dew forms only on clear, still, late nights and early mornings, which suggests a dewy lawn may indeed foretell a clear day.
When the grass is dry or has no dew, this usually means the sky has black clouds or the wind has picked up - both of which are indicators of a storm on the way.
Many people believe birds suddenly stop flying to protect themselves as a storm approaches. 'Seagull, seagull, sitting on the sand; a sign of rain when you are on the land,' is just one of the proverbs linked to this.
IS IT TRUE? The absence of birds in the sky is a good indicator of stormy or freak weather approaching, because air pressure and density decrease just before a storm, making it harder for birds to fly.
There is also a decrease in natural updraughts, which again hinders flying and could force birds to look for a perch.
'See a ring around the Moon, a storm is sure to follow soon,' is a proverb which has guided farmers for centuries.
IS IT TRUE? A ring around the moon is caused by high altitude clouds, which precede low-pressure systems bearing moisture. So yes, it does indicate rain. The clouds contain ice crystals which refract the Moon's light, giving a halo effect.
'Two swallows do not a summer make,' has long been used to urge caution when optimists declare warm weather is on its way because they have seen a couple of swallows. Swallows are normally seen in Britain only when summer has begun.
IS IT TRUE? Sadly, it is. Swallows are migratory birds and travel in large numbers - and not until the threat of cold weather has long passed. The sight of just a couple does not herald a hot spell - they are more likely to be strays, lost from their large flock.
The magpie may be a beautiful bird to look at but for many of us the sight of just one is cause for concern. 'One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy,' goes the old adage.
Some people are so convinced the lone magpie is a bad omen they say 'I salute you Mr Magpie' or 'Hello Mr Magpie' - and then turn around three times to reverse any bad luck.
IS IT TRUE? Feelings towards the magpie entirely depend on where you live. Contrary to our negative associations, Koreans have the magpie as their national bird, believing magpies to have sturdy spirits and bring good fortune.
Similarly, shamanism believed the magpie's wisdom included prophecy and intelligence.
Although it can often seem like wishful thinking, the adage 'rain at seven, clear by 11' is often repeated in an attempt to convince ourselves bad weather will not last.
IS IT TRUE? Yes. Most of the frontal weather systems that cause bad weather in Britain will pass over a given spot in roughly four hours - so if it is raining at seven, the chances are that it may well have stopped by 11.
According to farming belief: 'Red sky at night, shepherds' delight, red sky in the morning, shepherds' warning.'
IS IT TRUE? This saying, for the UK at least, appears to be rooted in fact. Clouds appear red when the sun is highest and lowest in the day - at sunrise and sunset.
As British weather comes predominantly from the west, swept in across the Atlantic, the wind is primarily westerly.
If there are red clouds in the morning, they will typically be in the west. Since this means the clouds, and by association the rain, are heading towards us, the proverb seems to hold.
Similarly, if we see red clouds at night they will be in the east and have passed us by, meaning the rain is over and the next day has a good chance of being fair.
'If cows are standing in a field it will be fine, but if they are lying down, it's going to rain.' This saying dates back to times when there was no accurate means of predicting the weather.
Cows would be lying down around the time of a storm, so they could keep at least some of their body - and grass - sheltered from the elements.
IS IT TRUE? There is no scientific evidence to back this one up - cows lying down are more likely to be chewing the cud than sheltering from raindrops.
'Mare's tails and mackerel scales make tall ships carry low sails,' was a warning heeded by sailors throughout the ages. But the mackerel scales referred to are not fishy ones, and nor are the mare's tails anything to do with the equine world. Both, in fact, are nicknames for clouds.
IS IT TRUE? 'Mare's tails' are cirrus clouds found high in the atmosphere, which are pulled into long streamers resembling the tail of a horse. Mackerel scales are altocumulus clouds which look like fish scales.
Both are present just before bad weather, so if a sailor noticed these he would know that within 12 to 36 hours the weather would be too rough to be out on the open water - so he would lower his sails and head for dry land.
In many of Britain's coastal towns it has long been common to see a frond of seaweed hung outside the door to predict the following day's weather.
IS IT TRUE? A fresh frond of seaweed is hygroscopic - meaning it will absorb moisture from the atmosphere. So if the atmosphere is damp (as it is before rain) the seaweed will become supple and wet.
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