There’s something about this picture of a Lancashire country idyll that I like. The hillside garden looks serene; the house and land on the far side of the wall have a hazy romance. Inside the walled garden, the soil is rich and well-cultivated. It’s winter, and the garden is girded against the twin assaults of rain and freezing temperatures.
The arched garden gate is an elegant detail to enjoy. Visually, it connects and opens up rather than barring our way. Fingers crossed we all heed the plea to close the gate behind us to stop the free-roaming chickens following along in our wake and making merry with any seeds or crops they find.
The old, fruit bearing branches have been pruned back to spiky stubs strong enough to carry this year’s crop. (Eventually. I hope nobody in the UK is expecting apples or pears to appear on these trees – or those in any part of the country – by 29th March 2019. Just saying!)
Susan Rushton 
Why no fruit? Was the bloom ruined by the weather?
It’s a bit early for us, Tony. This picture was taken in the winter. There will be green shoots by now, but that’s about it.
Oh, no fruit is expected ‘by March 29’ . . . but it will develop later. got it.
Always had a thing about walled gardens. Ever since reading A Secret Garden as a child. There’s something quite magical about them đŸ’•
I agree đŸ™‚