From Flooded Fields to Spring Blossoms

Welcome to the world of a "Baby Boomer in Bosnia," (me), a podcast from a spirited 70+ something British immigrant, whose plan is to take you along as I navigate life in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Hello from my rather soggy corner of northern Bosnia and Herzegovina. I’ve just trudged up the slope through to our top garden.

I couldn’t help but take in the aftermath of the torrential rain we’ve endured for the past three to four days. It’s been relentless, and with our heavy, clay-like soil, the water hasn’t had much chance to soak in.

Puddles are everywhere, gushing down toward the storm drains like little brooks. It’s an ongoing battle, one I’ve shared before, but each time the rain falls like this, it’s as if nature rewrites the landscape.

Blossoms After the Flood

Looking down across the valley the water is starting to drain away. Not long ago, those fields were completely underwater. The change is subtle but hopeful. With the recent clock change, the sun feels warmer and brighter at this time of day (a little after 1700 CET). It’s casting a gentle light across the hills.

Over by our neighbour’s small holding, the fruit trees have erupted in delicate white blossoms. It’s a welcome contrast to the grey skies we’ve had lately. And if the weather holds, it promises a good yield. Plenty of fruit for jams and, of course, for Tamara’s father’s homemade rakija. A good year ahead, perhaps? Fingers crossed!

Field Recording: A New Audio Adventure

Lately, I’ve been diving into the world of field recording. Inspired by a few videos I stumbled upon, I decided to take my Zoom H6 recorder out for a spin. Well, a stroll. Armed with a windscreen affectionately called a “dead cat,” I’ve started capturing the sounds around our home and village. There’s something quite magical about hearing birdsong, wind through the trees, or even distant church bells recorded in crisp detail.

I posted a short snippet, recorded from my office window, as a note on Substack recently. To my surprise, it really resonated with readers and listeners. There’s something calming about sharing the everyday sounds of rural life with others, especially those far away who might be craving a slice of peace.

The Temptation of Dawn Recordings

My next goal?

Early morning sound walks along the River Vrbas, as well as recording (documenting) the amazing daily dawn chorus.
The only catch is the 4 a.m. wake-up call. I’ll be honest, I’m not much of a morning person, especially not that early. But I think it’s worth it. There’s a stillness at that time of day you just can’t replicate. Maybe I’ll give it a go next week.

You’ll be the first to hear that recording as part of this podcast.

Sticking with Substack

I’ve also been thinking a lot about podcast hosting recently. I toyed with the idea of moving away from Substack, but in the end, I decided to stay put. Substack fits me well. It’s simple, it’s cost-effective (which, let’s face it, matters when you’re a pensioner), and it distributes easily to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and beyond. Plus, the interaction from listeners through comments and emails has been invaluable. So, I’m staying loyal to what works.

Celebrating Ramazanski Bajram

On a more cultural note, Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending Ramazanski Bajram with some of Tamara’s extended family.

Bajram (there are two by the way), is a celebration marking the end of Ramadan here in Bosnia’s Islamic community. I’d never experienced anything like it before.

The hospitality, warmth, food, and togetherness, was extremely wonderful.

I plan to share more about it soon.

These are the moments that make life here feel so rich and layered.

Looking Ahead

Despite the recent flooding, we avoided any serious damage, and our village is ready for spring. There’s a buzz in the air. People prepping their gardens, birds in full song, and the first proper warmth of the year just beginning to settle in.

So, until next time, thank you for tuning in. Feel free to drop a comment, especially if you’re listening on Spotify or one of the other platforms.

Tomorrow, a fellow podcaster is coming to visit from Germany, so tI will be definitely busy!

Bye for now, from this over-seventy Brit, happily embracing life in beautiful, blooming Bosnia!

Join My Storytelling Community

I’d love to know who’s listening and where you’re from. If you have a spare moment, send me an email with your name and location. I’d like to create a Google map marking all the places where my listeners are tuning in from, building a global storytelling community.

If there’s anything you’d like to know about me or Bosnia, feel free to reach out.

I also have a blog where I share additional insights about my life here.

Final Thoughts

Over time, this podcast might even take priority over my video content. The goal is to create an archive of my life for future generations, but in the process, I hope to entertain and inform you along the way.

Thank you for listening. Stay safe, and as we say here in Bosnia, Vidimo se opet, we’ll see each other again.