June 24, 2026
We’ve been living happily out of the back of the MG for nearly two weeks now, letting the coastal highways point our direction as the tournament matches completely heat up. We pushed further up the eastern seaboard, navigating the beautiful coastal routes of the Carolinas where the fresh sea breeze carries the sweet scent of maritime forests and sandy dunes. We pulled into a lively little fishing village right on the edge of the sound, a place where the local docks are buzzing with charter captains readying their vessels for the day's work.
Yesterday, the ultimate football drama unfolded right before our eyes on a television screen at a local beachside tavern where we stopped to grab some lunch. The entire open-air place was completely crowded to the doors with travelers and local fishermen taking a long, relaxed break from the baking afternoon sun. We ordered a massive plate of fresh boiled shrimp, raw veggies, and a couple of cold local beers while watching Scotland take on the absolute heavyweights of Brazil.
The Tartan Army was back in full force, having migrated up the coast, and they brought their signature loud, joyful energy into the bar. The tension under the tavern's thatched roof was incredible. Scotland fought with an immense amount of heart, matching the samba kings stride for stride in terms of sheer grit and determination during the opening minutes. However, the South American giants proved to be entirely too overwhelming on the pitch. Brazil put on a clinic of beautiful, fluid attacking football, slicing through the Scottish lines to hand Scotland a decisive 0-3 loss. Every time the Brazilian squad launched a counter-attack, the room held its breath, and by the final whistle, the sheer class of the match was undeniable.
The volume of matches and unique cultures you can absorb when you're moving by asphalt is absolutely staggering. You don't have to wait out rough weather or navigate treacherous tides; you just turn the key in the ignition, step on the gas, and find the very next beachside tavern with a television and a roaring crowd waiting to welcome you in. Watching a proud nation like Scotland battle against the giants of world football while sitting on a sun-drenched dock surrounded by ocean water is a memory I won't be forgetting anytime soon.
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