Presumed Landscapes

I thought it was time to capture some landscape shots for blip so this morning I headed out to the 'foothills' of the North Downs. I parked the car just outside our village and then continued on foot up a narrow road that passes between farmyards, open fields and vineyards as it climbs towards the Downs themselves.
As I've mentioned in previous blips I more than occasionally take my local environment for granted so today I was determined to correct that even if only a little.
Mind you my progress was slowed somewhat by a very strong wind which was almost blowing me backwards at some points. To get my main image I had to stand on a bank above the road so I could get this wonderfully dramatic looking plant in the foreground looking across the open field towards the line of trees on the horizon and very nearly got toppled off my feet and back on to the road. The sacrifices we make for blip! :-)
My extra is a small snapshot of the history of our local landscape. It's a view looking across one of the vineyards I mentioned earlier towards the white topped cowls of three nearby oast houses. What was once an area for hop production and the making of beer has now evolved into a wine growing region which cultivates vines. The march of progress. I must admit I'm quite happy to consume both beer and wine! :-)