“That I Ching feeling”

I am not a great believer in the occult, and I’m pretty certain that there’s always some logical explanation for things that go bump in the night.

However, I must admit that most of us have an uncanny knack of feeling the vibes from inanimate objects. Houses in particular give off an ambience that simply cannot be denied.

The Chinese call it I Ching, and to them this knowledge is a divine way of life.

Years back, when the Missus and I were young, and searching for a new house, we came across this beautiful thatched cottage at Anerley, on the South Coast.

I viewed the residence from the front gate, and for some reason was reluctant to go any further.

To keep it brief, the place gave me the shivers! On the other hand, the Missus was enchanted with it, and without further ado, we walked up the garden path, looked around and bought the place, lock, stock and barrel.

After the deed of sale had been signed, and the property ours, the old owner of the property drew me to one side and handed me a hypodermic syringe!

Naturally I was staggered, “What the heck is this for?” I asked.

He smiled, “Button spiders in the thatch,” he replied, “This serum will keep you going `til you get to hospital.”

“Bbbb..bb.b button spiders?” I exploded. “You never told me anything about them?”

“You didn’t ask, there are only a few, and besides, they only come out at night!”

The very first night that we spent in our cottage, the Missus and I slept beneath the kitchen table as the mother of all electric storms raged around us for hours. I Ching became the wrath of the Gods. Yes, this beautiful `Olde English Style’ cottage utterly rejected the Missus and I, and we were never happy there. Finally, the place was burned to the ground by a cane fire.

You’ll be pleased to know we moved into our new home today.

Ah yes I checked the ‘vibes’.

No foreboding feelings this time, all I heard was soft music! Yes, the house has good `joss’ and if my `I Ching’ instincts served me right, we are in for a happy time at Number One.