I’m writing this on Wednesday, largely because it has taken yesterday and today to start to feel approaching normal after the weekend and Monday. And because I couldn’t find my glasses on Monday evening when I got back, only to see them sitting on the coffee table in my room on the Tuesday morning – standard!!

There are reports of the Tartan Army drinking Boston dry and I think it’s fair to say over these 3 days I contributed pretty well to that. Though I must also say, and there will be those who read this with some doubt, my approach was measured, constant, but measured. It could’ve been much worse. [I can hear the sounds of browsers shutting now as the predicted chaos has, as yet, not occurred]

On Saturday my colleague and friend Dan arrived. He lives nearby (3.5 hours drive!) in Vermont. Was brilliant to see him. Props to his wife who made me some banana bread – which, though I didn’t know at the time, would sustain me in my room for 2 days whilst I pondered reintroducing myself to society.

So Saturday was Match day 1, vs Haiti, a must win, and my first venture in to the the absolute joyous bedlam that is Boston during the Scottish invasion. I should say now I am definitely planning on coming back because it just isn’t tourism at the moment for any Scot here – we literally have taken over the place. But in a very very good way.

My mission was 2 fold. To protect Dan, and to not embarrass myself in front of Dan. I think I just about managed that on both counts. We even had lunch and dinner before the match – unbelievable!!

The atmosphere in the fan zone, where we watched the first match, was amazing the tartan chaos outside and all around the fan zone equally so.

We hooked up with Fiona (Heidi) and Graham, part of the Salem Longboards crew I had spent Thursday with. And we partied, boogied and all of that.

Ive not taken anywhere near enough pictures so far. Will rectify that over the next few days. Largely as a result of fear of losing my phone, my passport, my cards if I went near my sporran in the chaos.

We made it back to the North Station for the train back to Salem. In one piece – what a fabulous day, and great to have shred it with Dan, and Fiona and Graham.

Should say here that some friends back home suggested a sweepstake as to which US agency would get me first. There is still time – but so far my only brush with the law has been very pleasant indeed.

Sunday: The Tartan Army takeover at Fenway Park.

On Sunday, already a bit worse for wear, I made my back into Boston to meet up with my good mate Tin. His 6 mates and him are seasoned Tartan Army members – and had asked me along to the Baseball on the Sunday night.

There was a planned Tartan Army march to the ground (I’m sure you will have seen the vids on socials – quite incredible).

Inside the ground was pretty amazing too. I have no idea what was going on in terms of the sport itself, and I fear the players had no idea what was going on in the stands – but it was a sell-out, largely Scottish, singing and dancing. Cracking thing to do.

Monday: Salem and the Longboard…again.

We had agreed on Thursday to meet up again at the Longboard in Salem. The rest of the gang were headed back either that evening or the next Have to say it was a bit sad wishing them safe travels back to the motherland – but reinforcements are coming.

A great bunch:

Tonight I am going round to Kristin and Doug’s for dinner – which is so lovely of them. A beautiful example of sport actually bringing people across the world together. Will report back later.

Tomorrow my friend Aileen is showing me around Boston – she used to live here so will be nice to ge a bit of a guided tour. Then on Friday is Match day 2. I will update on all of this in the next post.