nichepoetryandprose

poetry and prose about place

flags all flying (day 17 and 18)

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During my virtual travelling along the north shore of New Brunswick I often see flags flying, representing the esteem of people for their country and their heritage …

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17-18

distance travelled (map from Google Earth)

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8-17  February 21, 2014   30 minutes  (Belledune to Devereau)

8-18   February 25, 2014   35 minutes (Devereau to Petit-Rocher-Nord)

(I also took a quick sidetrip on the highway south to Madran – the beauty of travelling virtually)

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All along the coast of northern New Brunswick, people are proud to display their flags.  As I ‘cycle’ along the road I see three flag designs …

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The red and white Canadian flag with its maple leaf …

Canadian flag

a Canadian flag near Campbellton (image from Street View)

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the New Brunswick flag (based on the province’s Coat of Arms and depicting a red lion and a ship) …

nb flag

the yellow, red and blue New Brunswick flag showing the ship from the Coat of Arms (image from Street View)

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and the Acadian flag …

Acadian flag

the blue, white and red Acadian flag showing its gold star (image from Street View)

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The Acadians are the descendants of French colonists of the 17th century who settled in Acadia (the Maritime Provinces, parts of Quebec and Maine).  Today, over 1/3 of New Brunswickers are Acadian and New Brunswick is officially bilingual (French and English).

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The Acadian flag represents Acadians all over the world.  The flag is blue, white and red, like the flag of France.  On the blue field is a gold star, the Stella Maris (Star of the Sea).  The star represents the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the Acadians.

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Along the north shore of New Brunswick, the colours of the Acadian flag are represented on various objects, including telephone poles in some communities …

painted pole

a painted telephone pole in Madran (image from Street View)

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on lobster traps …

LOBSTER TRAPS_crop

colours of the Acadian flag on a lobster trap (image from Street View)

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and on rocks …

February 25, 2014  'roche Acadienne'  Jane Tims

February 25, 2014 ‘roche Acadienne’ Jane Tims

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The Acadian flag and its representations remind me how proud I am to live in a province that includes the rich culture and history of the Acadian people.

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Copyright  2014  Jane Tims

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