Yes B'y Were in Newfoundland

"Yes b'y, its right mauzy but we've been well scoffed." Yankee translation: Oh boy, its damp, rainy and foggy but we have been fed well. You gotta love Newfoundlander's! They are the happiest, friendliest people you could ever meet. They say, when you get to heaven, you can tell a soul from Newfoundland because they are the ones that want to go back home.

After a wonderful 6 hour ferry ride from Sydney, NS to Port Au Basque, we got settled in at Codroy Camp and RV about a 30 minute drive up the coast from the ferry landing. As is usual, misty, cloudy weather accompanied us and it appears will be our companion off and on through this trip.

We are all in line waiting to drive onto the ferry. Yes it is close and yes, this is pretty much how they pack you in.

Here is another view or our lineup. The semis to the left are also headed to the same ferry. The bridge area of the ferry can be seen over the semis on the left. You have to be through the gates by 10 AM if you want to catch the 12:30 departure. When you pull up to the gate they measure you and match it against what was turned in. If you are longer than was measured by the Tailgunners, Fantasy RV Tours covers the distance. In my case I was actually shorter, i did take off my rear ball hitch on the Jeep tow.

They load the upper deck first starting with the trucks. There were enough trucks that we were loaded into the lower deck along with motorcycles, cars and semis.

Here a a poor photo as we are driving into the ferry's lower deck. There are eight lanes and they pack you in tight on everyone of them. The semi's are parked one deck above us.

Since it is only a 6 hour trip, we did not have cabins. This is the unreserved seating area on deck 7. On our return trip it will be an overnight run so we have had cabins reserved for us. The restaurant on board as well as the snack bar is good and has a decent menu. The ferry we will return on will have a dinner buffet for us.

After departing the ferry, we had a short 30 minute run up the coast to the Grand Codroy RV Park.

After getting checked in and setup we prepared for the "Screech In."

Our host for the "Screech In" is none other than Capt. Dan, the owner of the RV park and lifelong Newfoundlander. What is a "Screech In" you ask? It is a ceremony where you are schooled in the Newfie language and customs, do a dance, eat some bologna, kiss a cod and wash it down with a shot of the local brewed rum called "Screech." Screech rum's origin is rooted in Newfoundland's history of trade and a legendary tale involving a startled American soldier. The rum itself is a Demerara rum, originally imported from Guyana, that became associated with the region through the triangular trade. The name "Screech" came about after an American serviceman, unfamiliar with the strong rum, reacted with a loud yelp after drinking it, leading a local to quip, "The screech? 'Tis the rum," according to the rum's official website. Basically, it is a chance for the locals to make fun of us "come from away's" while welcoming us to Newfoundland.

This is one of 8 sections with empty Screech bottles from previous ceremonies. All hosted by Capt. Dan. A local trio supplied the music so we can sashay as the dance. All the makings of a good evening. Why bologna? As far as I can tell the Newfoundlander's eat it like the Hawaiians eat Spam. We ate breakfast a day later and the breakfast plate came with your choice of a fish cake, bacon, ham, boiled cod or bologna!

It is obvious that Susan is less than thrilled with the bologna. The curse of refined taste buds!

After the dance, we got to KISS THE COD!

Yes it is a fresh cod, caught that morning and it was kissed by 50 people.

Pretty much the standard reaction when you get to kiss a cod. Must be the googly eyes!

Now that the kissing is done it is time for the Screech. To be honest, I opted to have a shot of Pepsi to stay true to my promise. I had run ins with Screech 50+ years ago when in the Coast Guard and we would refuel in Newfoundland. I was assured it hasn't really improved! All in all is was a great day and one to remember. We retired early so we could get some sleep before boarding a tour bus and seeing Port Aux Basque. Come back and see what we did.