Tag: flags

SBG

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They might not have the international prowess of Kirstenbosch, nor its size or funding, but the Sheffield Botanical Gardens are still pretty impressive. We were there today, out with family for coffee and fresh air, and the summer flowers were out in force:

They’ve also done a range of flower flags, featuring England, Romania, China and Armenia (I don’t makes the rules here), and Spain, Cuba, Norway and the USA.

I used to come down here when I was a kid – they had parrots and piranhas in the glasshouses. Then I watched with distress as the money ran out and things started to fall apart. The programme of volunteers, donations and funding that they’ve got in place now is making all the difference. The gardens were busy today, the café bustling, the benches full, and the gardens themselves were a spectacular sight.

Clever Norwegian Airline ad

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This is very nifty, especially if you are vexillologically inclined. A simple print ad, with prices and destinations highlighted as part of the airline’s national flag:the_flag_of_flags_aotw

Simple and effective, although comparing prices to distance traveled is (as ever with airlines’ fare structures, it seems to me) less straightforward.

Shark Spotter flags and what they mean

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After yesterday’s shark attack in Fishhoek, I listened to a woman who rang into a local radio station saying that she was confused about the flag system used on the beaches of False Bay to warn of shark activity and how she had to look at the signs each time she went to the beach.
“Red doesn’t mean danger,” she complained, amply demonstrating her confusion for the listeners.

It seems that some (re)education is required.
So what exactly do the four flags used by the Shark Spotters programme mean?

Green flag: We can see that there are no sharks around.
Black flag:  We can’t see if there are any sharks around or not.
Red flag: We have recently (ie. within the last 2 hours) spotted a shark.
White flag (and SIREN SOUNDED *hint hint*): There is a shark. Leave the water immediately.

It’s not so difficult really, is it? Especially since this helpful explanation is posted on and around all the local beaches:

As it says on the signs above (and as common sense would surely dictate) – swimming in the ocean is at your own risk. But why not lessen that risk by actually listening to these guys when they tell you to get out (or not to get in)?