Hello and welcome to this, the last edition of our newsletter from Čardačani for 2021.
It’s been a real learning curve, these past 8 months, setting this newsletter up, and, trying to write something coherent on a regular basis. But, its been fun 😃

Share An Englishman in the Balkans

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022 🎊

This edition drops into inboxes on 1st January at 0900 CET, so from Tamara and myself, we both wish you all the VERY BEST of Health and Happiness for this coming year, and thanks for sticking with us in 2021.

An impromptu New Years Concert

Our local Ethno Group from Laktaši are called “Trag”.

This is a recording for New Year, from a small social gathering, so the audio isn’t studio quality but the festive atmosphere is more important.

Hope you watch and enjoy 😀

Recapping on the “First” of our 2 Christmases

As I didn’t manage to get back to the UK to spend Christmas with my family in South Oxfordshire (my children and grandchildren were all due to be there at the same time), Tamara and I organised Christmas lunch here in the village for not only us, but her parents and her niece Viktoria.

We planned something a little unusual by local standards, which our guests could both try and hopefully enjoy.

In past years (read pre COVID) I would go to the UK and have an “early” Christmas with family members and return to spend the 25th December at “home”. I would ALSO return with Christmas “Goodies” so we could create a more English feel.

So without the “Goodies”, this is what we came up with, a sort of Anglo-Balkan feel.

Starter:
Balkan Meza.
Warm Camembert inside a Bread.

Main:
Smoked Turkey
Honey Glazed Gammon
Rolled Filet of Pork
Pigs in Blankets
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Brussel Sprouts
Honey Roast Carrots
Pickled Salads
Russian Salad
Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Dessert:
Balkan Sweets
Homemade Cheesecake
German Stollen

Drinks:
Bucks Fizz
Local Craft Beer
Local Whisky
Local Gin
Wine

Yes. You read correctly. We have an Artisan Craft Brewery on our doorstep that also now distills its own signature Whisky and Gin.

Tamara and I always need to get creative food-wise when it comes to replicating most things “English” as the cuts of meat, types of accompaniments etc are not found in the local shops. Our challenge this year was the Gammon Joint. But we got something onto the table which was extremely close to a traditional English Honey Glazed Gammon Joint.

As ever, the mantra “eat, drink, nap, repeat” held true 👍

The day was super enjoyable and everyone had a blast.

Footnote:

We give/receive Christmas gifts (that are left under our small Christmas Tree) after having a welcome drink. When Tamara’s niece was much younger there would a lot to rip open for her, but, as adulthood arrives, it’s slightly different now, as we are all aware.

The leftovers from the meal (of which there is always plenty) are packed and sent to our neighbour and other family members here.

In the past I always used to think of what their reactions were, to things like “mince pies” and “Christmas pudding”.

”How was your Christmas by the way?”

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Our Local Craft Brewery

If you are wondering what Gorštak means:

Coming Next

Well that’s New Year 2020. You’ll most probably be reading this then, or shortly afterwards. So, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A week later on 7th January, it will be Orthodox Christmas here. I’ll write about that soon.

In the meantime:

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.

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

THANKS SO MUCH ❤️