Music track for this video ⬆️ courtesy of Tamara’s cousin
Hello, and welcome to this week’s edition of The Sunday Sip.
I haven’t been as regular with these Sunday newsletters as I would have liked, but I’m going to try to sort that out from this week onwards. So, every Sunday morning, UK time, the plan is that you’ll receive a fresh edition of The Sunday Sip from me here in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A little update. A few thoughts. Some links to what I’ve been creating. And, hopefully, a gentle window into life here in this much misunderstood, heart-shaped country in the Western Balkans. Because that is still what this is all about for me
Telling stories from Bosnia and Herzegovina. And who knows? Maybe one day they might even encourage you to come and visit. Because if you do, I honestly think you’ll have great adventures, meet wonderful people, experience something real, and maybe put a little money into the pockets of local people here who very much need and deserve it.
Reset Time
For some time now, I’ve been more than a little inconsistent with creating and publishing my text, audio, and video content.
Not because I’ve stopped caring. Quite the opposite, really. I think I’ve been trying to work out where everything belongs. And I’ve finally realised something important. I really don’t want to be a slave to any algorithm anymore.
I’m not chasing every new social platform that appears. These days, my social platform of choice is really Notes here on Substack, where things feel a little calmer, a little more human, and a little less frantic.
Recently, Tamara and I hosted my 19-year-old granddaughter from England for two weeks. Having her here made me think even more deeply about the idea of legacy. The stories. The memories. The small pieces of a life that might mean something to someone one day.
I’m 73 now. I very much hope I’ll still be around for another 20 years, irritating people with microphones, cameras, walking poles, and cups of coffee. But none of us knows.
And I’ve reached a point where I’d like my stories, videos, podcasts, photographs, and reflections to live somewhere a little more permanent.
My Forever Home Online
So, I’ve rebuilt my website. But this time, I’m thinking of it as my forever home online.
You’ll find it at: anenglishmaninthebalkans.com That is where I’m now bringing everything together. I’m not technical enough to run my own web server, and I don’t have endless money to throw at online tools. So I’ve looked carefully at what I pay for, what I actually need, and what I can do without. Squarespace gives me a place I can manage. It gives me a base. And other domain names I own will point there too.
What This Means for Substack
Well, I’m NOT disappearing from Substack. But I am changing how I use it.
From now on, Substack will mainly be the home of this weekly newsletter, The Sunday Sip, and for the occasional Note or update. I’ll use this newsletter to point you towards the new posts, podcasts, and videos on the website.
Why This Matters to Me
Over the years, I’ve seen platforms come and go. Back in the day, we all thought certain sites would last forever. Like Seesmic (a real favourite of mine) and other various video platforms and tools that seemed permanent at the time. And then they weren’t. I hope Substack is around for a long time. I really do. I like it here. So I want to build something that has a better chance of surviving. Something that my grandchildren, and maybe even my great-grandchildren, might one day be able to visit and say: “Oh, that’s what he was doing out there in Bosnia.”
A Few Practical Bits
Below, you’ll find some links to recent posts and content on the website. Some may appear as images you can click. That’s because Substack doesn’t always allow everything to embed neatly, so if you see an image with a note saying “click above” or “click the image”, that’s what’s going on.
The Updates
A British Voice from Bosnia | When a Broken Bridge Says Everything About Bosnia
An Englishman in the Balkans is an audio journey into the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina, seen through the eyes of an Englishman who has made this place his home.
From Bosnia This Week
Here in Bosnia, we’re just beginning to move towards the serious heat.The 30s are coming.The 40s will probably follow at some point.And when they do, that’s when I start hiding.
Meanwhile, I believe the United Kingdom is enjoying some decent weather at the moment, which is always nice to hear. Long may that continue.
If you enjoy what I’m doing, please do share this newsletter with someone who might also enjoy stories from Bosnia and Herzegovina, slow travel, later-life creativity, podcasting, or simply the view from a slightly different corner of Europe.
And if you’d like the more everyday bits of my life, the small observations, and the occasional daily drivel from David, you’ll probably find that over on Substack Notes.
Thanks again.
I’ll catch you next week, here on The Sunday Sip.
Good Shots!
Just to say that your content is interesting and appreciated.