The 5 witches do a layby.

OK - are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin.

Once upon a time, there were 5 teachers who enjoyed each other's company, who decided to make more of an effort to socialise by organising "events" from time to time. They started calling themselves "witches", but are on the lookout for a more flattering name.

Yes - I am a member of the aforementioned witches coven.

I mentioned that I would like to visit Brodie Castle to see the National Daffodil Collection in the Spring. We never got around to it then, but finally did it today. Someone mentioned that we could stop for a cup of tea on the way, and then we all talked about these nutters who stop in laybys and brew up tea while the traffic and fumes just whizz past.

I mean, where's the pleasure in that, for goodness sake?

So, guess what we did?

What was involved in this mad hatters' tea party in a layby off the A96?

Table and linen courtesy of Anne.
Vase of wild flowers courtesy of Pat.
China and teapot/ jug/ Earl Grey tea courtesy of Beth.
Hats and scones courtesy of Alison.
Chairs & hot water courtesy of Beatrice.
iPod & speaker courtesy of Beth (giving us a good selection of suitable tunes for a tea party - Peter Skellern, Jim Reeves, Donovan, Ella Fitzgerald, Sinatra, with a liberal sprinkling of Beach Boys, Franz Ferdinand and Annie Lennox)

What a cracking experience. At first, slight embarrassment at what we looked like. Then, a realisation that people driving past were smiling, waving, and in the case of many, honking their horns. We waved and smiled back. Magic.

The icing on the cake happened when another car pulled into the layby and parked beside us. This is a BIG layby, and there was no need for this man to be anywhere near us. However, he approached us, and Pat told us later that she was imagining the headlines - "5 teachers massacred in sad, last tea party".

However, he was holding in his hand a punnet of strawberries as a gift for us. He had passed us on his way to picking berries at the local farm, and doubled back to give us some of the strawberries. He was blown away with the china and the flowers and the whole "event".

Only in Scotland?

How on earth are the witches going to follow this day?