Monique Sliedrecht

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 was about coming to se...

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

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 ‘strange times’, or t...

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, the place where th...

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 is a secret I am ha...

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

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

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 a call before putti...

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

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

Tuesday is a funny kind of day. I mean, it’s a kind of nondescript day. What sort of significant thing really happens on a Tuesday? It seems to get lost in t...

I went for a walk yesterday evening. The impulse to get out before the light was too dim suddenly became very strong, and almost without thought, an instinct...

My sister was telling me the other day about her daughter, my niece, who was upset. She couldn’t remember why she was upset, but she went to my sister and he...

The first day of a new season - on the astronomical calendar anyway - has happened, and it seems that the shades and smells of autumn are starting to reveal ...

A number of years ago I was invited to a weekend of talks at the University of Aberdeen. The big draw in going, for me, was that the late Jean Vanier would ...

‘Let’s meet at the Duke of Duckworth. It’s just down the street from where you’re staying. 5:30 sound good?’ It all sounded good to me. I could hardly belie...

I’ve had a hard time bringing any kind of proper focus to my painting work this summer. For one reason or another, my focus has been directed elsewhere. In t...

The weather has been foul in the north - that’s the pure and honest truth. Summer? What is that? Despite the weather, I’ve tried to focus on moments of sunsh...

Recent skype chat with artist friend -- Me: 'Honestly, sometimes I wonder why I paint. I don't feel very good at it, and then I wonder if perhaps I ought to ...