Welcome to An Englishman in the Balkans, the podcast where I, share my experiences of life in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a British expat.
Join me as I explore the culture, history, food, and everyday life in this fascinating country. From hidden travel gems and local traditions to expat life insights, each episode offers a first-hand perspective on what it’s like to live, travel, and immerse yourself in the Balkans.
Whether you’re curious about Bosnia, planning a visit, or considering moving abroad, this podcast is your guide to discovering the authentic side of the region, through engaging stories, interviews, and personal reflections.
Looking Out Across the Village
Hello again from northern Bosnia.
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to keep creating as the years move on. Not in a dramatic way, more in the quiet minutes between things.
The morning walks, the stove-top coffee, the soft hum of the Vrbas as it rolls along.
At nearly 73, I sometimes wonder why I still record podcasts, film my walks, or write these reflections.
Nothing forces me to. And yet, I keep returning to the microphone and this page.
A Life in Chapters
I’ve lived in Bosnia, on and off, since the late 1990s.
Before and after that, life took me to Canada, Kosovo, Afghanistan, the Caucasus, Ethiopia, places shaped by conflict, transition, and people simply trying to get on with their lives.
Looking back, each chapter feels like its own separate story, but Bosnia has been the thread tying them together.
A World That Feels Unsteady
It’s impossible not to notice how fragile the world feels at the moment. Institutions that once seemed solid now wobble.
Principles that held communities together appear to be slipping away.
That disappointment is real, though it isn’t bitterness.
It’s simply an awareness that hard-earned lessons are being brushed aside with surprising ease.
The Anchor in Ordinary Days
And yet, life here offers daily reminders of stability.
A neighbour calling across the fence, a familiar walk through the fields, a cat settling into the warmest spot in the house. These small, grounding moments give shape to the days and make reflection feel worthwhile.
Why I Keep Sharing
I don’t tell stories because I have answers.
I tell them because speaking honestly about life at this age still matters.
If you’re over 50 or 60 and trying to understand your place in a shifting world, you’re not alone.
The latest podcast episode explores this more deeply.
And of course, if you’d like to keep up with my own stories of life in Bosnia, from rainy afternoons in Banja Luka to the hidden corners of the Balkans, check out these recent posts.
