Stone wall

Surely one of the earliest features of civilisation. This one has been hewn from Jurassic limestone, the blocks carefully assembled like a three-dimensional jigsaw. Was the circle of iron added later to strengthen it? I don't know. Over the years this man-made wall has been softened by a shroud of lichens and mosses, so that now it almost disappears back into the landscape.

This image was taken on a walk round Sutton village where I also came across a graveyard filled with winter aconites (see extra) and snowdrops. After yesterday's snow, today was much milder, and in the morning sunshine there was a real feeling of spring in the air.