8 August 2025 (sunny and hot)

Woke at 1.08 am last night to sounds outside the tent. Turns our it was a dog. He was scavenging for food around the tent and also in the covered eating bay. Got out and chased him off. 

Back to bed and put my polar fleece on as well as having my cycling longs on and socks. My next purchase is going to be a silk liner, if they've got any here, as mine has more holes than material now. I know a lot of people don't like them, but they do protect your sleeping bag and keep you warmer. 

Yesterday, I forgot to mention that we were chased by three medium sized dogs, outside an old farm property. And dogs around this camp were barking throughout the night. We'll have to be careful with them as there seem to be a lot of strays.

One older looking dog outside the supermarket, looked like he may be living there and customers feeding him perhaps.  We have heard that when Bosnians go on holiday, they just turn their dogs loose to fend for themselves. Looking at some of the dogs, I can believe it as they look more sad than scary. Not sure what the Rabies situation is here? 

Anyway, it's 7.15am and today I'm sixty six. It's hard to believe all those years have passed since I was first born in Broad Green hospital in Liverpool. I've lived a good life. No regrets and have been fortunate to have a loving family around me, most of my life. I still miss my mum and think about her often.

Dad, you have always been a person that I look up to (not just because you're taller)🤣 and your advice has always been good.  Dave, we've always been close and I hope this year keeps getting better for you and San.

I've been blessed to have great friends who mean such a lot (you all know who you are) and with the business, clients who are also friends as well.

And of course Julia, Briana, Georgina and Brody. You are my life and I love you all so much. 

Anyway...new day. Time to start. It was a slow start. We wandered to the covered area for a cup of tea and some breakfast, which we enjoyed with Jonas, Yuri and Piet.

We were also joined by an Austrian couple, Ursula and Martin (who was actually born in Bosnia, but left during the war). They all sang Happy Birthday to me.

After breakfast we packed up and said goodbye to the boys, before going for a swim in the pool. By now it was hot.

Martin had cycled into town and Ursula and her two boys, Leon and Jonas came swimming as well.

Had a nice half hour before we rode off, back into Bihac, to find out about a Sim card, get some supplies and carry on. 

As I write this it is1.40 pm and we are still in Bihac, in a central park wondering where to go. I was approached twice in town by a young mother wanting food for her child and there are beggars in town in different areas.

The main roads are crazy busy and the drivers are the worst we've encountered. We both feel slightly flat being here, so not quite sure what we'll do. One thing's for sure, whichever way we go, it's uphill, contrary to our blog name.

We have to find as many of the quieter country roads as possible, but also have to ensure there are places to buy food and water. 

Decided as it was now after 2pm and 31 degrees, we'd go back to the camp and sit around the pool, trying to decide which way to go. 

Julia went online to check out the restaurant just across the way. It's the only one within a decent range, all the others being too far away and riding on the main road. The verdict was....too high priced and terrible reviews. 

The pool however was a saving grace as riding mountains in this heat would not only be extremely hot, but very unwise. We will once again resort to getting on the road early, before the heat takes hold and try to finish early afternoon. 

The afternoon turned to early evening and we had found another restaurant right next door to the other one called Sunce. Decided to wrap up our pool playtime and set the tent up. Did that with only one car and us in the place.

Because it was so hot, we quickly shot back for another swim, before going for a meal. In the pool this time was an Islam female in full dressed regalia thrashing about.

That didn't surprise us, as how you are supposed to swim at all in something like that, would be a miracle. 

To finish off a relaxing day, we wandered for our meal, to find that other than one other couple, everyone else was Islam, or exceedingly cold. 

Started here but shifted to a riverside table when it became available.

The meal was very nice. Julia had trout, spinach and potato croquettes, whilst I had chicken, mushrooms, mixed veges and chips. One beer, two wines (good size) and two coffees for sixty mark, or NZ $60.

The scene was perfect, probably one of the best we've had anywhere.

Before I wrap this up, I just want to thank everyone for your birthday wishes.

Being so far away, in such a different environment, it means a lot.

Back to the tent to continue into my sixty seventh year.

Ju here: Being a minority is not something we're used to and truth be told, it's a bit scary. It's probably very good for us to experience so we have more empathy for others in this situation.

Looking around at the restaurant tonight, we were very much in the minority, in fact by the time we left at 9pm, I was the only woman not in a hijab. The language barrier is a real hindrance to interaction and I was glad we had each other. I would have hated to be in this environment on my own. I anticipate that the longer we stay in Bosnia, the more opportunity we will have to interact, but I have to say our first reaction was “we just want to get out of this place!” It seems so much more foreign than even Croatia, which is predominantly Catholic. Apparently this is what helped them become part of the EU according to Mariana (Croatian) who we met poolside yesterday. But Bosnia is 51% Muslim, so this sounds like it hindered them getting into the EU. There is no doubt a lot of history here that we don't understand yet. But our first two days here have felt very uncomfortable and made us feel homesick. On that note, friends and family, we are so grateful for each and every one of you.

And if you happen to be in a place where there are two people looking scared and like they don't belong, please approach them and start a conversation. It will make a world of difference to them.