Episode 1/28

75 pts!

@ Welcome to Maine!

The state of Maine, enthused the tour guide, is the largest of the New England states and provides a breath­taking holiday experience! It has a wild beauty, with craggy mountains; rugged, light­house-dotted coasts along its eastern edge; a patch­work of lakes and marshes inter­spersed with rolling fields.

Episode 2/28

10 pts!

@ Old Sugar Shack

Rubens organised some help for the elderly pets who lived in an old sugar shack, clear­ing weeds, clean­ing the windows, over­hauling their vehicle and carrying out repairs to the shack. Jolie stopped by to lend a paw!

Episode 3/28

12 pts!

@ Sailing Boat in Maine

It was time to parta-a-y-y! The pets enthusiastically went aboard the sailing boat, donned life-jackets and excitedly watched the east coast of Maine slip past them!

Episode 4/28

15 pts!

@ Wedding Favour

Rubens had been invited with others in the group to a wedding reception, giving them all a chance to experience a splendid Maine party! Rubens was admiring the floral decorations on the seats. "Oh, Sue, aren't these the most beautiful little things you've ever seen!" he exclaimed.

Episode 5/28

10 pts!

@ Portland Head Light, Maine

Their first stop was at Cape Elizabeth to visit the Portland Head light­house and to enjoy an al fresco picnic lunch. It was a very warm day and sink­ing down in the grass amongst the sweet-smelling coreopsis lanceolata for a nap after lunch, Rubens felt very content!

Episode 6/28

10 pts!

@ Monhegan Island, rocky coastline

Back on the sailing boat, the party continued until, much later that day, they disembark­ed on Monhegan Island. The pets split up into twos and threes to explore. Rubens was alarmed when suddenly he heard a wail from his companion, Foxy, who had got stuck attempting to climb down the rock face! Rubens called for help, then over­came his fear of heights looking to see how best to help poor Foxy!

Episode 7/28

15 pts!

@ Monhegan Island

There was a loud splash! Foxy had lost his grip and was now struggling in the sea. Rubens hurried back to the top of the rock face where he had seen a life­belt, and quickly threw it down into the water. Other, more aquatic, pets took to the water and ensured the life­belt reached Foxy, and brought him safely back to land.

Episode 8/28

15 pts!

@ New England Country Road

Back on terra firma, the group continued their tour of Maine, all admiring the splendid colours of the tall trees lining their route.

Episode 9/28

10 pts!

@ Versatile Dandelions

New England celebrates dandelions! Rubens found out that dandelion greens have long been a salad accent, packing a serious punch of vitamins and minerals in each serving! Rubens bought fresh dandelion salad greens to share with his friends, to give their health a boost!

Episode 10/28

71 pts!

@ Breakfast Pancakes

At their self-catering accommodation that night, Rubens made some special pan­cakes, served with the local speciality of maple syrup, and with fresh rasp­berries as an accompaniment!

Episode 11/28

15 pts!

@ Versatile Chives

Rubens was visiting a botanical gardens and learning a lot! He was particularly interest­ed that chives have many uses! Rubens was familiar with chopped chive leaves being sprinkled over the top of potato salad. But he found out that chives have other culinary and orna­mental uses so he purchas­ed some products to give to his fellow-travellers.

Episode 12/28

14 pts!

@ Vintage tractor, New England

Visiting a rural farm, Rubens and his friends came across a farm pet having problems with the old tractor. Rubens organised every­pet into help­ing, by giving the tractor a thorough clean and check­ing its engine. The farm pet was very grate­ful for their help and reward­ed them with a fun ride about the farm­lands on the restored tractor!

Episode 13/28

10 pts!

@ Purple Lupins

There are many, many fields of lupins to be found in Maine, thanks to the enthusiasm of one elderly human lady to spread beauty around in the form of lupins! Rubens took some time to relax in a field of lupins, and felt very happy.

Episode 14/28

14 pts!

@ New England Panorama

Seeing that their tour guide was looking very tired at the end of that day's sight­seeing, Rubens served her a pot of tea and delicious Maine cookies on the terrace of their accommodation.

Episode 15/28

13 pts!

@ Nesting Loon

Rubens and the other pets had often heard the wail of the Common Loon across lakes as they were touring. They had learnt that the loon is a beloved symbol of the natural beauty and wild­life of Maine. Rubens introduced himself to a loon by a lake and gave her a bag of crayfish.

Episode 16/28

63 pts!

@ Dad shows the way

Rubens enjoyed the company of a German Shepherd dog with his pup one after­noon. While Dad had a rest in the shade, Rubens and Jolie threw sticks for the pup, whose energy seemed tireless!

Episode 17/28

13 pts!

@ Summer Blueberries

Rubens met an enthusiastic organic blueberry farmer. "Blue­berries are a super­food," explained the farmer. "They will protect you from a lot of things. They are also indigenous to North America, which makes them the ultimate paleo and uber-locavore food." Rubens's head started reeling a bit, but he eagerly dug into samples of blue­berries: sweet and tangy but not too acidic!

Episode 18/28

10 pts!

@ Rainy Day Blues

"Aw-w-w, c'mon, why not tell me all about it and let's see if we can sort it out," said Rubens encourag­ingly to the sad pup. "And I'll tell you what, here's Jolie! She's such a good listener." Rubens and Jolie stayed with the pup until he felt more cheerful.

Episode 19/28

13 pts!

@ Apple cider doughnuts

Rubens bought a big sack of one of Maine's delicious specialities—apple cider doughnuts—as a treat for his companions!

Episode 20/28

10 pts!

@ Mushroom Shelter

Rubens was on a Foraging in the Forest guided walk. He was learning such a lot! The ranger demon­strated all the different types of mush­rooms in a typical New England forest, which were good to eat, and those which were best avoided!

Episode 21/28

14 pts!

@ What a Pickle!

Rubens was at a pickling demonstration. He was accustomed to pickled onions and pickled eggs, but here in New England there was a great enthusiasm for pickling all sorts of local produce: cucumber, tomatoes, cauli­flower, beet­root -- you name it, they pickled it! It was a great way, Rubens reflected, of adding a tangy relish to sand­wiches or burgers, and he bought a large jar of pickles to share with his friends at mealtimes.

Episode 22/28

10 pts!

@ Frozen Reflection

The tour bus stopped at a popular destination and the pets scrambled off to enjoy the view and to stretch paws, wings and flippers! Rubens met some pets that, it turned out, lived just a few miles away from his in PnF Land! They had a very absorb­ing chat and made arrange­ments to meet up when they were all back home!

Episode 23/28

13 pts!

@ Pop goes the Weasel

Rubens met a cute little weasel who popped up from behind a rock to say "Hi!"
"You're so well camouflaged!" remarked Rubens. "We're enjoy­ing our trip here so much!" They were firm friends by the time Rubens, regret­fully, had to take his leave.

Episode 24/28

13 pts!

@ Sugar Maple Forest

Rubens and his companions had a guided tour of a sugar maple forest, to learn all about the prod­uction of one of Maine's most popular and success­ful products!

Episode 25/28

12 pts!

@ New England Winter

Rubens helped clear the road after a snow­storm to make it safer for travelling pets.

Episode 26/28

63 pts!

@ Rural Farm, New England

Rubens went to the shops to get some much-needed provisions for some elderly pets stranded in their farm­house by the heavy snow!

Episode 27/28

@Fall Foliage of New England

The foliage of Maine, New England is a glorious sight, what­ever the season, although its fall colours are held to be the best!

Episode 28/28

@Sugar Maple Bark

What an amazing trip through Maine! Rubens had enjoyed it immensely.

Rubens has enjoyed visting Maine, but it is time to go home. Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy this event!