In Search of Snowdrops.

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As some of you noticed,

I repeated this year my 'Snowdrop post'

from Great Missenden.

So on a sunny Tuesday, a couple of weeks ago,

I went off in search of a different location.

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I stopped off for a picnic at the village of Sydenham.

It is on the way back from Thame market so I didn't go too far out of my way.

Now Sydenham is not in Buckinghamshire,

but just over the border into Oxfordshire.

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It is a very attractive village, having a good selection of timber framed,

brick, flint and wychert (a clay-like material)

cottages under thatch and old tiled roofs.

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This one is dated 1797.

I was wondering how many times it had been re-thatched

in those 214 years?

Further down by the little stream I found a few snowdrops.

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Probably planted by the residents.

The name 'Sydenham' by the way,

means 'at the wide hamm or meadow'.

And here's a few in some-ones garden.

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One of my 'better' photos I thought?

And then on over to the flint and stone St. Mary's Church

with its oak shingled spire.

This is much older than those cottages above,

as it dates back to the 13th century.

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Now when I got home I read up on the village and the Church.

I seem to have done things the wrong way round here,

because I read that the Church door had a very unusual keyhole.

It was cut out from an old sundial.

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I remembered reading about this in one of my books on clocks.

Did I take photo? No!

Do you think I can find that picture in my clock books? No!

I must remind myself to read up on a place

before setting out.

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Anyway, the Church was home to a sweet little organ.

One manual, four stops and two candle holders!

Years ago it would have been hand pumped

by a boy around the back.

He even had his own little seat (picture right),

so he could take a rest between hymns.

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And, as in all true English villages.....

The Pub. Right next to the Church.

And........

right next to the Pub was.....

the

Village Information Centre.

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Housed in the now defunct telephone box!

(Shame I parked the car in the wrong place)

and

shame about the keyhole photo - if I come across it,

I'll post it up.

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