By the Banks of the Turjanica

A Stroll into Stillness

It’s a bright Sunday, and I’ve taken a short wander, just a kilometre and a half from my front door, down through the fields, to the river Turjanica. No fancy kit today, just my mobile phone doubling as a microphone, minus a pop shield. The Turjanica gently winds its way near our village before slipping into the Vrbas a few bends downstream. The Vrbas itself journeys from the south of Bosnia all the way to the Croatian border.

Unexpected Beauty

The Turjanica isn’t always what you’d call a beauty spot. I remember one summer when it all but dried up, and I stumbled across a wild boar carcass lying in the dust. These riverbanks have seen their share of neglect, fly-tipping, plastic, and the like. But today? After some heavy rain and, oddly, a few truckloads of gravel, the place feels reborn. A makeshift beach has emerged, shingle and pebbles sculpted by the current. It’s not a resort by any stretch, but it’s oddly charming.

Sounds and Silence

I found a flat patch among the stones, stretched out on my bag, and hit record. The river’s chatter is now part of my sound archive. In that stillness, I imagined a folding chair, a parasol, maybe even a mobile grill. The idea of simple pleasures, undisturbed and honest. It has a magic of its own.

A Nudge Back to Creativity

I’ve not updated A Baby Boomer in Bosnia in over a month. Life gets in the way. But today, the swallows dancing overhead and the river’s quiet company reminded me why I do this. And if you’re someone over 40 or 50, thinking about podcasting but unsure where to begin, I’m sketching out a simple, affordable course that might just be for you.

Looking Ahead

Before the month’s out, I’ll be running a podcasting workshop in Banja Luka. But first, a trip to Skopje for some presentations—and a kind reminder from my hosts to take an extra night to rest. Something I’m finally learning to do.

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