So this is not a cycling thread, But it’s still an adventure thread. An adventure into the (what I thought would be) American chaos.

And how wrong, so far, could I be…

So it’s only day 2. But a blast it has been. I’m staying outside of Boston in an area of New England called Danvers. I thought it would be nice to be somewhat removed from the chaos. I t was also affordable. I mean none of this is affordable, but it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and so here I am.

Even out here it is easy to wrap yourself in the arms of fellow Scots. But it is also easier to remove from that.

Yesterday (day 1) I self curated a walk taking in all of the sites (in Danvers) of the Witch hysteria. Fascinating, and I wonder if a similar hysteria is going on now…

I spent that afternoon with fellow Scottish people. Messy (with a “y”) yes, great, also yes. Ending up in a karaoke bar singing songs of the Proclaimers. Amazing. I do think some of these may well become friends beyond this.

It would be so easy, as I said, to wrap myself in the arms of great, fellow Scots. But I am not that, and I chose to live outside of the metropolitan area to meet people who live here. And I have. And I am as happy as I am challenged.

Great people live here. They’re my people. Our People. And as mortified, as we are with the rise of the right in the UK, even Scotland, in their own nation.

I sort of don’t know what to say of these 2. More hospitable, lovely, kindred, than you could ever imagine. I hope I see them again when I am here. I am sure I will.

So, in a somewhat bewildered state, I go to bed today, knowing tomorrow will bring absolute carnage. A nation here, friendships being forged and hopefully not forgotten. A love of our country being the thing, I guess, that binds us all.

We’ll be coming…

I’m here to be challenged, and challenged, I am.