Mr Hamhead,

I don't really understand dowsing, but I have tried it in our back garden, without expecting any success, being a sceptic.

However, one day I got a couple of those old-fangled wire coat-hangars, and fashioned a couple of traditional (like on telly) -looking "dowsing rods". I put the words in inverted commas, as they were not "official" dowsing-rods, let's get that straight before I continue.

Anyway, the dowsing started, with me pacing up and down our back garden (south facing, but don't know if that matters), with the rods loosely held in my hands. To my surprise they both moved outwards and inwards at the same time at certain places. Now, I thought this was just chance, so I performed the same walk again, over the same ground, and the rods moved outwards and inwards together in exactly the same places.

I can't explain why, but all I know is that it happened, and I had witnesses, all of whom had no idea why either. I am still looking for a scientific reason, but can't find a convincing one.

My only question is, was I really dowsing? I wasn't looking for owt, just walking up and down the garden like a prat. I've read that dowsing is actually doing similar, but with concentrated thoughts about what you are looking for. My sister said she tried it whilst looking for something and it worked.

Mysteriously yours,
TE.