I'm Going Nowhere - Ne idem nigdje

I made a risk assessment that results in delaying my visit to the UK to see my mother and to coincide with that of my daughters.

Zagreb Airport - Haven’t been there for 2 years ☹️

Hello and welcome to this edition of our newsletter from Čardačani, in the north of Bosnia and Herzegovina, written by an “InBetweener”, someone who is neither a tourist or a citizen.

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Going Back to England - The Update

If you read last week’s post, you’ll know that I have been torn about travelling back to the UK to spend Christmas with my family. A planned get together where all members from various locations around the world, could see each other again, after so long.

I also wanted to visit my mother, who is now over 90 and is not as mobile as she was, (or would like).

I have always suffered with minor procrastination, but deciding on whether to travel or not at this particular time, took its toll to be honest. If for no other reason than feeling guilty for even considering not travelling.

My youngest daughter (based in New Jersey) had already cancelled, in favour of an Easter time visit. That actually didn’t help me though.

My sister was in the UK from Berlin for a week and had the opportunity for a brief “mum visit”, but was heading back “home” just afterwards.

My Sister and My Mum

We are in contact almost on a daily basis. Both “InBetweeners” in our respective countries.🇧🇦🇩🇪

I looked at getting a “Booster” vaccination but that would take a few weeks here at least, and then another 14 days for effectiveness to kick in.

Following the news from the UK, wasn’t too cheerful in the virus department. Everything seemed (and still does at time of writing), to be getting worse day on day.
It’s only my opinion, but the bluff, bluster and sometimes downright lies that come the government on all most any topics, does not inspire me with confidence to say the least.
To add to my considerations, I have an autoimmune related situation, so …..

So, I made a risk assessment that results in delaying my visit to coincide with that of my daughter. Next Easter.

I feel relieved to have finally made a decision though. Everyone in the family understands, so the “guilt” I was feeling (and maybe still do a little), has dissipated somewhat.

I’m not the only one in the world who’ll have their Christmas disrupted, so a little perspective in that department has also helped.

This Christmas Day will AGAIN be a remote occasion with my kids and mum. Not perfect by any stretch, but would have been worse in the pre mobile/tablet/laptop world.

I have managed to change flight dates as well, so didn’t lose any money 👍

Fingers now firmly crossed that the virus isn’t playing around too much, next April.

Just so you know, Christmas won’t be miserable for me, as now I’ll have 2 to enjoy.

On the 25th of December I’ll host Tamara’s close family for a sort of English Christmas lunch. Then on 7th January I’ll enjoy a Serbian Christmas 😀

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Your Thoughts Appreciated

I have been spending a lot of time these past 2 weeks, improving (optimising) our YouTube channel.

We made so many videos over the years. To date, over 1340! I didn’t appreciate that it was quite so many. Mainly daily vlogs though, that really have no relevance to anyone now, apart from memories for Tamara and me. The visibility of these particular videos has been set to “private”.

The result is that the channel content base is now massively smaller, and I hope much more relevant for viewers. To you.

One of the many changes I am introducing, is a more standard form of “thumbnail”.

The image above is the new design with simple colour changes reflecting the year (or season). What do you think?

Any advice as to what content we should be publishing on the YouTube channel, would be gratefully received.

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From the Kitchen

You can get your own downloadable copy of Tamara’s recipe card, by clicking on the button below.

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While on the topic of Skiing in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Steps have been taken to accommodate specific pandemic-related needs of national and international visitors to the Ski Slopes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"We have our own PCR testing laboratory and guests who require a negative test to return to their country can have their samples taken in their rooms,"

says Dejan Ljevanic, general manager of the Jahorina ski resort.

"Also, we are giving a coronavirus warranty, which means that skiers who fail to use their pre-purchased ski passes due to the coronavirus infection will get their money back. That way, there is no financial risk for skiers in advance-buying of their ski passes for Jahorina."

Great news for tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

If you are a Skier, “Would you consider coming to Bosnia and Herzegovina to Ski”?

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What We Have Been Watching

We seem to be obsessed with Spanish Series at the moment.

This one starts with suspected Jihadist attack in Bilbao. The twisted and turns are many.

What you think is happening, then changes at the drop of a hat.
We found it extremely riveting.

Also, it’s interesting to see something again from “The Basque Country”

Recommended.

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From the Archives

A trip we videoed 2 years ago, at the start of Autumn. Hence those cool red and gold colours.

When driving back from Sarajevo there are 3 routes we can choose from:

1. Majority highway via Doboj.
2. Through middle Bosnia via Travnik and Jajce.
3. Cross country via Travnik and Knezevo.

Route 3 is the Blue Route on the map

Number 3, is only advised when the weather is NOT severe. Such as snow or torrential rain. This cross country route passes the Vlašić mountain.

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And finally this week

If you want to read back editions of the newsletter, listen to previous podcasts (we have quite an archive now), or catch other content, all this is available on the web interface, just like a regular blog.

Oh, and you can also share the newsletter with friends, relatives and colleagues using the button below.

Tamara and I appreciate your faithful readership, your comments, and your generosity! 

THANKS SO MUCH ❤️