Newfoundland and Labrador - The Codfish That Didn't Get Away

I know.........let's go have a picnic at the lighthouse!

Canadian folk are a happy lot. Patriotic, proud and big-hearted, the latter never better evidenced than during the events and aftermath of 11 September 2001 when the small town of Gander, Newfoundland found itself temporary host to seven thousand stranded airline passengers. The hospitality and friendship exhibited by the townsfolk at that time later came to be celebrated in the hit musical Come from Away, a Newfoundland and Labrador term for an outsider or visitor, someone not from the province. 

Podcasters Nick and Amy Thomson were therefore two such "come from aways" as they embarked on an epic road trip around Atlantic Canada, the easternmost region of the country and closest point between Canada and the UK. Visitors they might have been but they were warmly welcomed and all it cost Nick was a snog with a codfish, part of the Newfoundland Screech-In ceremony.

But what is the Newfoundland Screech-In ceremony?

What is Newfoundland Screech?

Why do you always find the locals in the kitchen at parties? 

And will Nick ever learn how to pronounce Newfoundland?

For answers to these and other questions, click here to listen to Atlantic Canada - Come From Away, part of the Atlantic Canada podcast series.

Incidentally, here's a picture of Nick kissing that codfish. Although with that black bin bag it's wearing it looks more like a turtle. The codfish that is. Not Nick. Either way, I'm not sure who is the more disgusted by this act of animal cruelty. Nick, the lady in the background, or the codfish?

Newfoundland and Labrador - and a beer called Dildo

Canada is big. Very big. In fact it's the second largest country in the world by total area, around seventy times larger than the UK although with a population some 30 million less.

Crowded it is not.

Canada is also named as the Most Loved Country in the World 2025 in the most recent RepTrak report (look it up for yourself) as a model nation for stability, quality of life and social justice. It has stunning landscapes, vibrant and modern cities and a people renowned for their friendliness and politeness. 

It is also home to Dildo Brewing Co. 

The Dildo Brewing Co. & Museum is based in the town of Dildo in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, one of four provinces - the others being New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island - that form Atlantic Canada, the easternmost region of the country and shortest hop between the UK and the Americas.

Humpback whales have no teeth so how do they chew?

Is Atlantic Canada worth visiting?

Newfoundland and Labrador is the starting point for an epic road trip by podcast producers Nick and Amy Thomson, across the four provinces comprising Atlantic Canada, finding out as much as they can about this least well known and visited part of Canada and asking the all-important questions; 

What's with the Irish accents?

Can puffins really sleep on water?

Do humpback whales have the hump because they have no teeth?

Am I pulling your leg about Dildo beer?

This is the first podcast in a new series called Atlantic Canada. 

Click here to listen Atlantic Canada - Part 1

Happy Heavenly 60th Birthday Trevor Beechey

Ten years ago today.

Pictured left to right, myself, Pat, Neil and Trevor enjoying a

beer in Koh Samui, Thailand celebrating Trevor's 50th birthday.

Still miss you mate.