Monique Sliedrecht

The last few days have been unusually calm in the north of Scotland - like the north is pausing in stillness. It is the tranquility of th...

I’m sitting in the studio surrounded by bits of wood and found objects. Getting new window-doors put in has literally shed light on all t...

Sea Change When I was in Newfoundland for the first time a year ago I remember someone mentioning the fishing moratorium that was declare...

We are very fortunate to have so many alternative ways of connecting in these times of uncertainty. Enforced physical distancing, signs a...

I looked out the window one late afternoon and was stunned by the rainbow appearing eastwards over the sea after a huge and sudden downpo...

Today is Canada Day. O Canada our home in native land…. Some people refer to Scotland as ‘Little Canada’. I can see why.  It sort of has ...

What a day it was… The summer solstice fell on the 20th instead of the 21st of June this year, because of it being a leap year. And how l...

I'm always amazed when the moon comes out on a clear night in Caithness. It suddenly brings out the shapes and details of the landscape ...

Warmest greetings to you all from Freswick Bay, on the north coast of mainland Scotland. x

It was when I went out to Whidbey Island in Washington State for the first time that a whole new world opened up for me. So much of it wa...

The swallows have returned! I could hardly believe it when I saw the first one flitting past while I was drinking coffee and reading outs...

To begin with, you may be pleased to know that in this blog post I do not plan to use the terms ‘self-isolate’, ‘social-distancing’ and ‘...

It is 25 years ago today that my friend and colleague confirmed the purchase of the historic Freswick Castle in the far north of Scotland...

I went to my first lane sale in Edinburgh last week, and this one is an unknown treasure, to be sure: Edinburgh’s best kept secret. This...

Soon these bright trumpet-like blooms will be making a showing in the landscape. The shoots are already appearing in the north, on the hi...

The déjà-vu ends here, where I’m actually on board the plane and about to take off from Toronto Pearson International Airport. Thank goo...

On the plane at London Gatwick, I mentally prepared myself for the long flight ahead, sending final texts to people in the UK, and making...

Yesterday morning I woke early, made my coffee, and then started rushing around the house to organise and clean up before travelling sout...

There was the most pronounced and perfect rainbow on Epiphany Sunday morning. I rushed outside to get a better look and take photos, and...