Episode 1/24

@ Rockies Elk
Fantasy begins her tour of "Maples, Moose & Mounties - Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba" by downloading a map of specially chosen locations!
Rockies Elk
The elk looks a peaceable chap as he grazes here in the Rockies, but mind you don't get too close to him! The male is a "lone wolf", so to speak, but females live in groups. The elk has particularly acute hearing and sense of smell.

Episode 2/24

@ Mistaya River Canyon
“Listen to this, Flitter,” said Fantasy. “’Culinary expert Delia Smith described maple syrup to be a unique ingredient, smooth and silky-textured, with a sweet, distinctive flavour—hints of caramel with overtones of toffee—and a rare colour, amber set alight. The maple flavour is uniquely different from any other.’”
“We trust our Delia,” intoned Flitter solemnly. “Pass the jug!”
Mistaya River Canyon
A splendid scene from Banff National Park in Alberta, with an amazing river and waterfall plunging down the rocky terraine, with green spruce highlighted against the snowy peaks in the background!

Episode 3/24

@ Banff National Park
"Hey, look at Shuswap in the brochure," said DaiDai. "'The city's new claim to fame: the world’s largest treble clef. It is more than 42 feet (13m) high!'"
"Wow! Is there music to go with it?" asked Fantasy.
"Yup. The first notes of O Canada," responded DaiDai.
"That's a lovely tune!"
Banff National Park
Rocky Mountain peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, a picture-perfect mountain town and village, abundant wildlife and scenic drives come together in Banff National Park - Canada’s first national park and the flagship of the nation’s park system. Over three million visitors a year make the pilgrimage to the park for a variety of activities including hiking, biking, skiing and camping in some of the world’s most breathtaking mountain scenery. Banff is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Episode 4/24

@ Dove of Peace
"It must be so romantic working producing maple syrup, Fantasy," said Ailfric contentedly sipping grape juice after a hard day’s sightseeing. "Imagine going from tree to tree to collect the sap every summer and seeing it turned into delicious syrup!"
"Hmm—now imagine being up at dawn in the cold winter with a great deal of complicated equipment,” said Fantasy. “The work doesn’t stop.”
Ailfric waved his glass. “I’ll have staff to do all that,” he said. “I’ll just do the easy bits.”
Dove of Peace
At Lake Louise in Alberta, the Ice Carving Competition is an amazing winter experience. Using the medium of ice, Canadian artists carve wonders to behold, including castles, figures, animals and birds in intricate detail!

Episode 5/24

@ Peyto Lake
Fantasy opened her rucksack to change her hat. Bucky could see Fantasy had a large, floppy sunhat, a balaclava, a rain hat, a woolly bobble hat, a beanie, a deerstalker hat and a swimming cap!
“Did you bring a fez too?” Bucky asked Fantasy.
Peyto Lake
Peyto Lake is a glacier-fed lake in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. A beautiful sight with the early morning mist giving it added charm.

Episode 6/24

@ Kayaking on Lake Louise
“What have you got in your rucksack, Moonabelle?” asked Fantasy. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Fantasy,” responded Moonabelle. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Kayaking on Lake Louise
This scene has everything—a snow covered ravine, fresh green spruce trees, an idyllic lake plus two cheerful red kayaks for enjoying the landscape!

Episode 7/24

@ Lake Snow Scene
Fantasy and Kalila shook paws, said “How do you do?” and posed for a souvenir photo. “Why am I always on the left?” grumbled Fantasy. “Let’s change sides.”
“No,” said Kalila. “This is my best side.”
Lake Snow Scene
A peaceful Lake Louise in Alberta, drowsing as the falling snow coats the ground, the fir trees and the roof of the cabin. Perhaps some pets are waiting within, in the warmth of a paraffin heater, or will they don snowshoes to go for a tramp round the lake perimeter?

Episode 8/24

@ Sunrise on Lake Louise
“Let’s pose with one of us each side of this attraction and I’ll set the self-timer to take a shot,” said Fantasy to Lucifer. “It’ll be a fab souvenir of our time here!”
Sunrise on Lake Louise
Some early-morning kayakers are already out and about enjoying the fresh bright day as the sun rises over Lake Louise in Alberta.

Episode 9/24

@ Kayaks Await!
“What have you got in your tote bag, Choose a name?” asked Fantasy. “It looks very full!”
“I’ve come prepared for anything, Fantasy,” responded Choose a name. “There’s deck shoes, snowshoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, flippers, walking boots, Wellington boots—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Kayaks Await!
An idyllic lake scene in Alberta, where cheerful red and white kayaks, matching the Canadian flag in the background, await in the stillness for that day's holiday makers.

Episode 10/24

@ Cheeky Chipmunk
“Shall we stop and eat our packed lunch here, Fantasy?” asked Crowley .
“Yes, it seems a good spot, Crowley! Let's perch on those tree stumps there! I can't wait to sink my teeth into those slices of bannock!"
Cheeky Chipmunk
This cute chipmunk stands alertly upright to snuff the air at Moraine Lake, Alberta.

Episode 11/24

@ Downtown Calgary
"Have you seen this in our travel brochure, Fantasy? There's a town in Vancouver Island called 'Youbou'—the founders of its mill, Mr Yount and Mr Bounton, combined the first halves of their respective surnames to make Youbou in 1914."
Helga grinned and thought about it for a minute. "I guess it's like Waitrose in England, from Mr Waite and Mr Rose."
"Waitrose isn't a town, though, Helga."
"Edgar wishes it was!"
Downtown Calgary
The view of Calgary’s skyline from afar is what you'd expect -- after all, the city is populated by over one million people. But you will experience, when you arrive downtown, just how diverse and unique Calgary is. The Bow and Elbow Rivers border a great deal of the area. These rivers offer mature, lush landscaping, and adjacent pathways that are busy with cyclists, families out walking and river traffic. Cultural landmarks like the Bow building, New Central Library, National Music Centre and Glenbow Museum not only impress, but invite you in to explore and learn. Heritage buildings like Old City Hall, Calgary Public Building, and the Calgary Tower are a reminder of history.

Episode 12/24

@ Saskatchewan River at Dusk
“Wouldn't it be lovely to live in a lighthouse like these ones pictured in our itinerary for the Maritime provinces? So romantic!" mused Fantasy, sipping a leisurely fruit juice.
"Well, I don't know," said Zoe. "It's not all about drinking orange juice and gazing at the sea. You have to run up and down stairs to operate the light and the foghorn, and there may be no running water or electricity apart from a generator."
Fantasy considered this. "Mine would be a luxurious, converted, non-operational lighthouse, then."
Saskatchewan River at Dusk
The sun sets the North Saskatchewan River ablaze, making the buildings on the skyline seem very remote on this calm evening.

Episode 13/24

@ University Campus
“Ooh, it's just starting to drizzle, Fantasy!” said Sarah. “Can you hold my torch and map while I dig out my Pac-a-Mac?"
Fantasy good-naturedly took charge of Sarah's possessions while she emptied her rucksack of a pack of sandwiches, a Thermos flask, a pair of galoshes, a bag of toffees, a paperback novel, a bottle of mineral water, an address book, some postage stamps, an assortment of different coloured biros, a bottle opener, a couple of old train tickets, a handful of golden and silver moles, a hotel key, some shopping receipts and a selection of rather battered sachets of salt, sugar and tomato ketchup before locating the Pac-a-Mac right at the bottom. This she donned and then Fantasy helped her put everything back in her rucksack.
University Campus
The sun drops behind this peaceful Saskatoon campus, which is reflected in the calm South Saskatchewan River.

Episode 14/24

@ University Bridge
“’Maple syrup is made from the xylem sap of maple trees. The trees most commonly used are sugar maple, red maple and black maple because of the high sugar content in the sap,’” read out Hera from the brochure.
“It’s making me hungry, Hera!” declared Fantasy. “Perhaps I’ll just nibble a corner of one of the maple syrup scones the hotel packed us for elevenses!”
University Bridge
The University Bridge, Saskatoon, officially opened on November 15, 1916. A unique feature of its design is the descending size of its arches, which were described as being "like a stone skipping across water". It was built to link Sutherland and the University of Saskatchewan with the central part of the city across the river.

Episode 15/24

@ Saskatoon Sax
Oh look ... a Canadian pet!
Saskatoon Sax
This colourful, fun—not to say funky—jazz and blues mural adorns Broadway, Saskatoon.

Episode 16/24

@ Saskatchewan Lake
Sir Barkey Barksalot was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Fantasy unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which she succeeded in knocking Sir Barkey Barksalot’s hat off. “Put that away, do!” said Sir Barkey Barksalot, irritated. “We’re about to pose on either side of this amazing scene—the picture will all be of your map if you don’t fold it up pronto!”
Saskatchewan Lake
What could be more peaceful than this lake, with the sunset reflected on its surface, and a family of ducks paddling past?

Episode 17/24

@ Saskatchewan Beach at Sunset
“Wouldn't it be lovely to live in a lighthouse like this one pictured in our itinerary in Nova Scotia? So romantic!" mused Fantasy, nibbling on a taffy lolly.
"Well, I don't know," said Danaë. "It's not all about drinking coffee and gazing at the sea. You have to run up and down stairs, operate the light and the foghorn, and there may be no running water or electricity apart from a generator."
Fantasy considered this. "Mine would be a luxurious, converted, non-operational lighthouse, then."
Saskatchewan Beach at Sunset
With the wind ruffling the water it is pleasant to walk along this sandy strip at sunset, passing by spruce trees as you go.

Episode 18/24

@ Red-Winged Blackbird
"Do you think we'll see some elk like we did on Snow Beach that time, Jillie?" asked Fantasy.
"Oh yes, we're bound to. Gosh, Fantasy, do you remember those sharks, and the octopus as well? Poor Fresco took one look and hid in the bottom of the boat!" responded Jillie.
Red-Winged Blackbird
This bird is very common across nearly the whole of Canada. The red-winged blackbird (Carouge à épaulettes "blackbird with epaulettes" in French) is a familiar sight atop cattails. The female of the species is a dull brown in colour.

Episode 19/24

@ Theatre in the Park
Fantasy was listening enraptured to strains of music reaching them from a street violin player. “My mum used to sing this, Stingray Mulder!” he exclaimed happily. "Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. This takes me back!"
Theatre in the Park
Completed in 1952, Rainbow Stage in Kildonan Park, Winnipeg, an outdoor theatre in the park, gets its name from its semi-circular shape. Nothing is better than relaxing while walking in the park or watching the river flow unless you can combine it with great theatre. This unique setting is one of kind for Winnipeg, enabling you to break away from your fast-paced city day and clear your mind before sitting down and being entertained.

Episode 20/24

@ Mennonite Heritage Village
“How do you spell ‘Saskatchewan’, Fantasy?” mused Midnight Bleu, clutching a postcard and sucking the end of his pen. “Is it a “c” or a “k” in the middle? I can never remember!”
“Simples,” grinned Fantasy. “Put an ‘S’. Now put Ask At Chew An and Bob’s your uncle.”
Mennonite Heritage Village
The Mennonites were members of a Protestant Christian group from Russia. A unique experience awaits visitors at the Mennonite Heritage Village. This 40-acre complex spreads out from a street reminiscent of the Mennonite villages found in southern Manitoba during the late 1800s. A windmill with 20 m/60 ft sails dominates the village. Century-old dwellings, churches and schools are furnished to the period. The Livery Barn Restaurant serves tasty Mennonite fare, from traditional recipes, in a pioneer setting. The General Store offers locally crafted items, stone-ground flour, old-fashioned sweets and a selection of souvenirs.

Episode 21/24

@ Winnipeg Indigenous Artwork
“How do you spell ‘Saskatchewan’, Fantasy?” mused Silk, clutching a postcard and sucking the end of her pen. “Is it a “c” or a “k” in the middle? I can never remember!”
“Simples,” grinned Fantasy. “Put an ‘S’. Now put Ask At Chew An and Bob’s your uncle.”
Winnipeg Indigenous Artwork
Nearly half of the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s permanent collection comprises work by Indigenous artists. The vast majority of the WAG’s Indigenous collection—just over 12,000 objects—are carvings, drawings, prints, and textile work by Inuit artists.

Episode 22/24

@ Manitoba Summer
“I don't know how to pronounce half of these place names, Fantasy!” said midnught ruefully.
"Never mind," said Fantasy. "We'll look them up when we get back!"
Manitoba Summer
The perfect conditions for summer relaxation—sea, sun, sand and fabulous Manitoba scenery!

Episode 23/24

@ Wintry Prairie
"I've bought so many souvenirs already my backpack's almost full!" said Kokamo.
"Me too!" said Fantasy. "It's great on this tour, isn't it?"
Wintry Prairie
Brrr! Encased in a thin film of ice, this frozen Manitoba vegetation and landscape await the arrival of spring to bring life back to the scene.

Episode 24/24

@ Polar Bears up Close
As Fantasy's tour of "Maples, Moose & Mounties - Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba" comes to an end, she noshes some poutine and is surprised to discover Canada left her a parting gift!
Canadian White Sky Effect
A shimmer in the sky means winter is nigh. Six months of the year?
Polar Bears up Close
As a concluding highlight of their Manitoba tour, the pets will be taken on a special safari in state of the art, unique tundra vehicles allowing them to view polar bears up close in safety. Churchill, in the far north of Manitoba province, is one of the few human settlements where healthy polar bears can be observed in the wild. There is also the opportunity of having a helicopter ride to view the "Lords of the Arctic". Pets will be reminded to take extra care in the vicinity of these bears due to their huge size. The males can reach 10 feet in height (3.05 m) and weigh 1320 lbs (94 stone/600kg), can pick up a scent from 30 km (18½ miles) away and move with surprising speed!
Fantasy has completed her tour of "Maples, Moose & Mounties - Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour part of Canada!