Half-mast

I worked at home during the day, but had to go up to the letter box to post a couple of stray Xmas cards and a very un-Christmassy card to an old friend. Her mother died suddenly a couple of weeks ago and then her father died last week, so she has a double funeral to attend on Friday. My heart goes out to her.

So when I saw what appeared to be a black flag flying at half-mast it seemed appropriate somehow. This was the best shot I got of it, at full zoom, but I'm sure I've never seen it before. Any idea, blippers? The flagpole is probably the one on top of the Malmaison.