Drapeau Normand

After leaving Kendra's this morning, I realised just how knackered I was so decided I needed to get a picture early on in the day so I could chill out a little more and try and recharge my batteries laid slightly low by side effects of taking the painkillers for my leg for this sustained period of time. Anyways, this is at the Conseil Régional, and the three flags are of course Europe, France and this rather natty red and gold number. Took a bit of time in an icy wind to get each flag at the right flying height, but I think it was worth it...

For those who don't know, this is actually the flag of Normandy, in particular Caen. Now these animals are not lions, but in fact leopards (do not get them mixed up, people get upset!), and apparently they are meant to represent the bravery of the Norman people against their foes. You will probably also notice a similarity between this flag and that of the crest of Jersey and Guernsey, and that is because there is a similarity...in fact, these two places used to be linked rather closely in olden times. In terms of flags, I think it is pretty impressive, and I'm definitely going to be picking one up before I head off to the South of France!

Today being the day before Saint Patrick's, the celebration was obviously held this evening rather than on the Sunday! Dress code was "wear green"...and you know what, for the French, I was pretty impressed, the majority were indeed in some sort of green - even if it was just shamrocks (trèfles) on their cheeks! And you know what, pretty much everyone was there...the girls, Thomas, Thibaud and the gang, Mathieu, Gaëtan, Camille and her friends, Kadin, Helen and the Americans, Astrid and her boyfriend, even Ste came across from Saint-Lo to pay a visit! Altogether a brilliant night, although it would have been nice to join everyone with the whiskey and Guinness...next time, next year! Happy Saint Patrick's Day for everyone tomorrow!