Hello and welcome to this edition of our Blog, from Čardačani, in the north of Bosnia and Herzegovina, written by an immigrant (me), as I am neither a tourist or a citizen here.
Thanks to Biljana from 🇬🇧🇧🇦 for your support ❤️
This weeks post is not in our usual format, but rather a round up of what’s caught my attention both locally and regionally. To be honest, I think focussing takes a little more effort as one gets older, don’t you think? It’s been one of those types of weeks for me,
The Food
Tamara has a very keen interest in recipes that are either exciting, unusual or exotic.
This international lunch of Georgian Khachapuri and Moroccan Zaalouk is a good example. Tamara used ingredients from our garden.
The Weather
As with most people it seems we are suffering still with this unusual heat.
We had a guest from the Netherlands, this week, and we discussed how we need to adapt to what is our new reality of a total change in the seasons, that we were once used to. There’s no denying that climate change is having an effect on how we live these days, wherever we live.
We have also experienced extreme changes in our weather, going from extreme hot to a drastic drop in temperature with resulting winds and rain in just a few short minutes.
The Unusual
Back in 2014, 71-year-old pensioner Momir Bojić, built a fully functioning, wooden Volkswagen Beetle, from over 50,000 pieces of hand-hewn oak.
Every exterior detail of the fully functional car was made of wood, including the spokes of the tires.
Mr Bojic made all of the wooden fittings – steering wheel, gearstick, hubcaps, radio – in his garden workshop.
It took Momir more than two years to complete his "labor of love". This is simply stunning.
The Action
6th Drill and Chill Festival.
Coming soon (9-17 September 2022) above the Tijesno Kanjon on the River Vrbas to the south of Banja Luka.
Ten days to celebrate the last summer days - filled with bolting new lines, climbing, highlining, slacklife, daily workshops, a small global community of like-minded people & some fine music.
The festival is organized by Climbing club Extreme Banja Luka and is conceived around the idea of connecting climbers, highliners and outdoor enthusiasts from Western Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region through the transfer of knowledge and experiences.
The History
A London bus gifted to Banja Luka circa 1963.
The Earth as We Know it
Light mag. 3.1 earthquake - 18 km north of Banja Luka, Bosnia Serb Republic, Bosnia & Herzegovina, on Saturday, Jul 23, 2022 at 10:08 am (GMT +2).
Yes, the earth moved for us!
The Quaint and Amazing
In the village of Dubrave, right next to the main road, is a small, unusual Bosnian house that covered by a climbing vine, that many passers-by stop to look at.
86-year-old owner Luca Hrgovčić, and her husband Ivo, built the house some 60 years ago, from an old large barn, with bolted bricks. They lived there with their six children, of whom Nikica, Kruno, Kreso and Filip are still alive today.
They grew up in this unusual house where no one lives today. They are afraid that when the vines give way, the house will collapse, so they’ve built a new house.
“Numerous people stopped to see this unusual phenomenon and the large green vine that covered the walls from all sides, from the foundation to the roof, and even the surrounding electricity lines. Son Filip brought this climbing vine from Switzerland, planted it. It has strong roots, so it seems to me that if the vine were removed from the old, dilapidated house, it would collapse. Let it be like this, it doesn’t bother anyone, and it reminds us of a time long gone”.
Luca now lives in a new house. The children went their separate ways to Croatia, Switzerland and Germany. The surrounding houses are also empty.
And Finally
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Tamara and I appreciate your faithful readership, your comments, and your generosity!
THANKS SO MUCH ❤️
Your lunch looks delicious ious. I love the food, I love the plates, everything. Tamara is really good :)
That lunch spread looks gorgeous. I salivate every time it pops up in one of my feeds. To think the ingredients travelled such a short distance too. Sublime.