Hi everyone,
thimblebug600 - You're right, the gate can be added to any type of background, it doesn't need to be a watercolour or even pieced, a pre-printed panel would still come up a treat. In the book I have, fanlights and leadlight windows are used as well.
amma - Have a go. Very satisfying to complete.
OdessaQuilts - I certainly can't claim it as my idea, but you can borrow it anyway. The watercolour is made very easy by using Quilt Fuse. It leaves you with continuous long seams instead of individual piecing of 2" bits.
The book I mentioned earlier by Dilys Fronks "Enchanted Views" goes through the watercolour process including choice and placement of fabrics very clearly, although she doesn't use Quilt Fuse to piece her backgrounds and reverse appliques her gates.
Looking forward to seeing someone elses view through their gate or perhaps window.