Secrets… and Surprises

There is a curiosity associated with the gate. It’s a portal, of course, but with the added fascination

that we cannot see down into the valley beyond. What’s down there?

It’s similar to the prospect in this sense. It is a

Climax plus a Secret.

The same in this view from Appleton’s inspiring work on Prospects and Refuges –

the pathway disappears behind a physical obstacle, and there is the same

fascination about this point in the road as in the gate above.

What is hidden? Scale is not important. Small or large,

if it is partly hidden by an Obstacle, it is a Secret…

and it is the job of a Secret to fascinate,

and demand further

exploration.

But of course, not every Secret reveals a nice Surprise:

(Gerhard Nesvadba - Morning Glory)

Here, the 'Portal' turns out to be an Obstacle...