Flagged Again!!!

Whilst working down my scotch supply (I had to do the job myself as others failed to help) the discussion again turned to flags.

First, apparently these countries (France\England\Spain) don't actually exist as they have provinces\counties whatever that were included in national borders without consultation (and they refuse to let go of that)!

So, it turns out that there is a Cornish flag that the locals really want to see you fly.

Ok, I understand that but I've already spent $300 on flags and I'm not even in Croatia yet!

But there was worse to come...

Bill apparently had been politely biting his tongue (although it never seemed to slow it down) as a guest on the boat (Mike Collins if I remember correctly) asked me why I was flying the Union Jack as a courtesy flag and not the English Yacht Ensign (they have 1 primary one and dozens of variations based on things like sexual preference...although I may have misunderstood that one).

Which turned out not to be a good subject to bring up with a bit of a stressed out American after his 1st channel crossing, who had ingested a large quantity of a neighboring country's finest product!

The flag was then lowered (some may have felt it went down a bit quickly), was gently placed below (ok...perhaps flung down the companionway might be more descriptive) to the awe and admiration (make that shock) of the guests onboard!

Problem solved...and I did mention that I would not attempt to show courtesy again until I reach the shores of a country that properly uses their national flag as an ensign (which is about 100% of the world thank God!).

A few days later I did look into purchasing a British Yacht ensign, but my courtesy has some dollar limits and $25 is about $15 dollars past that (given my $30 original investment in the UK flag).

Moving ahead a few days....I was boarded by Customs in Plymouth. I was a bit embarrassed not to be displaying a courtesy flag so I told them (my version of) the story.

They informed me the only foreign yachts they encounter that fly the UK flag are Russian!

A fellow yachtsman (Tim) gave me a solution. He goes to a toy store and buys a child’s toy flag, problem solved for under $5.

So, now I have a new shopping mission, I just need to find a place where they outfit flag (yacht ensign to boot) waving children!