Episode 1/28

10 pts!

@ Gardiner’s Corner, Nantucket

"My goodness! Look how far away we are from home!" marvelled Hootie Blowfish, studying the Distance Chart in Nantucket at the start of the pets' Massa­chusetts trip. "Have you travelled distances as long as some of these, Kerry?"
"I've covered a fair few miles over the years," said Kerry. "Added up I suppose it would amount to some thousands of miles!"

Episode 2/28

13 pts!

@ Vintage Kerosene Lamps

Arriving at Cape Cod, the first activity was a shopping party! Hootie Blowfish particularly enjoyed rooting about in the antique shops! There was also a shell shop which the entire group enjoyed visiting.

Episode 3/28

12 pts!

@ New England Cranberries

"Massachusetts is a major production area for cranberries," their tour guide said. "Cranberries are a unique fruit which can grow and survive only under a very special combination of factors, in particular a peat soil of a certain acidity." It was an interesting talk and at the end, Hootie Blowfish purchased a bag of cranberries to give to the host at that evening's accommodation.

Episode 4/28

14 pts!

@ pixabay 1845179

That evening's entertainment was at a popular bar with live music. However, after the band had finished their set, it was time for karaoke! Hootie Blowfish had to take his courage in both paws when it was his turn to perform! The performance was well received, however!

Episode 5/28

10 pts!

@ New England Coyote

Hootie Blowfish and the group made friends with an eastern coyote, a species that is found throughout Massachusetts except on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.

Episode 6/28

62 pts!

@ pixabay 2337359

The group went on a trip via the local railway line. It was a splendid opportunity to get chatting to local pets and make friends. Kerry came along for the ride and was in his element!

Episode 7/28

13 pts!

@ New England Produce Market

Hootie Blowfish joined others on a trip to a farmers' market. There was so much delicious produce available, he didn't know where to start! Perhaps some bread with home-made clover honey? Or how about a scrumptious apple pie?

Episode 8/28

12 pts!

@ Rustic Garden Shed, New England

This allotment and its shed had everything you could want! Hootie Blowfish settled down happily to do some birdwatching.

Episode 9/28

11 pts!

@ pixabay 2527495

Party-time! Hootie Blowfish and his friends were enjoying the kindness and hospitality shown to them by their American friends!

Episode 10/28

15 pts!

@ Cute Chipmunk

Such a cute little chipmunk! Hootie Blowfish, introducing himself as a Purple Fish from PnF Land, had a nice chat with him and found he had made another friend in Massachusetts!

Episode 11/28

10 pts!

@ American Goldfinch in Winter

"Are you really a goldfinch?" queried one of the pets. "Where I come from, goldfinches have patches of red and yellow, as well as black and white."
"That'll be in Europe," remarked their new friend. "Here we change plumage according to season. This is my winter plumage."

Episode 12/28

12 pts!

@ Monarch Butterfly, New England

Hootie Blowfish visited a wildlife sanctuary with specially-managed gardens design­ed to support wild­life, including the monarch butter­fly. Hootie Blowfish learnt that Massa­­chusetts had several butter­fly gardens and other pollinator and wild­life gardens, which teemed with bright flowers to attract and support bees, butter­­flies, and other pollinators. Hootie Blowfish made more friends in his visit here!

Episode 13/28

13 pts!

@ pixabay 3545043

"Do you mind if I join you?" Hootie Blowfish queried of an elderly cat resting on a stone bench. The pets enjoyed a cosy chat comparing notes about their respective lives and neighbourhoods.

Episode 14/28

10 pts!

@ Pot Roast

A speciality of Massachusetts, and very popular in Boston in particular! A beef pot roast cooked with ranch seasoning, served with scoops of mashed potato, a baked tomato and a bundle of fresh asparagus!

Episode 15/28

14 pts!

@ New England Sunset

At the end of a day packed with sight­seeing in this wonder­ful state, Hootie Blowfish went outside to watch the sun set. It was a very peaceful and relaxing interlude.

Episode 16/28

15 pts!

@ New England Barred Owl

Hootie Blowfish was lucky enough to spot a barred owl perched on a branch nearby. They exchanged pleasantries until Hootie Blowfish's new friend had to go off on a nightly hunting expedition!

Episode 17/28

54 pts!

@ Muskrat

Hootie Blowfish and his group enjoyed their meet­ing with a muskrat they encounter­ed by a slow-moving river. "There's lots of us in Massa­­chusetts," remarked the muskrat. "That's my burrow, over there. It was tunnelled into the bank by my great-grand­father originally."

Episode 18/28

11 pts!

@ Jersey Cow, New England

Hootie Blowfish and his companions were enjoying a visit to a Jersey dairy farm and they made friends with some of the herd before tucking into delicious ice cream.

Episode 19/28

64 pts!

@ Boston Cityscape

The City of Boston is the capital of Massa­­chusetts and the most high­ly populated of its cities. It has a very old history, having been found­ed in 1630 by Puritan settlers. Its motto is Sicut patribus sit Deus nobis: 'As God was with our fathers, so may He be with us'. The city is named after Boston in Lincoln­shire, England.

Episode 20/28

15 pts!

@ Boston City Traffic

As their trip in Massachusetts drew to a close, Hootie Blowfish and the rest of the pets enjoyed a leaving party in Boston's vibrant night scene, starting with a visit to a comedy club and ending at a live music scene!

Episode 21/28

10 pts!

@ Boston, Massachusetts, at dusk

The tour guide pointed out famous landmarks on the Boston skyline: Faneuil Hall, Old State House, Harvard Busi­ness School, Massa­chusetts State House, Prudential Building, Bunker Hill, BU Bridge, Fenway Park and Paul Revere's House.

Episode 22/28

12 pts!

@ USS Constitution, Charlestown, Mass.

A national icon for more than 200 years, the USS Constitution has had a long and illustrious career. Built in Boston and launched in 1797, she is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world today. During the War of 1812 the ship gained fame and its name Old Ironsides.

Episode 23/28

15 pts!

@ Fenway Park, Boston, Mass.

Home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912, Fenway Park is the oldest operating baseball park in the country. Hootie Blowfish and his friends enjoyed an hour-long tour. They made new friends during the experience! Kerry had joined the group, and was wishing he could get his paws on a baseball bat to see how he did!

Episode 24/28

11 pts!

@ Robin Chicks, Southborough, Mass.

Hootie Blowfish made friends with a nest of chicks. "I'm a Purple Fish, and I live in PnF Land," he explain­ed, and stay­ed with them until their busy Mum and Dad came back with food for their hungry tummies!

Episode 25/28

57 pts!

@ Wild Turkey, Southborough, Mass.

"Let's talk turkey!" announced the tour guide. "Wild turkeys were wiped out of Massa­chusetts by the mid 19th century, but were success­fully re­introduced from 1972. They can fly short distances at up to 55 mph and they roost in trees at night. Say hiya to Tom here!"
Hootie Blowfish and the rest of the group enjoyed making friends with the wild turkey.

Episode 26/28

12 pts!

@ Northern Cardinal, Southborough, Boston, Mass.

"You don't fly to warmer climes during the winter, then?" queried Hootie Blowfish of his new friend, the cardinal.
"No, we're here all year round," came the reply. "We keep going on seeds and fruits during the coldest months. It's always good when spring comes, though. We all start singing again!"

Episode 27/28

@Stairway, Clinton, Massachusetts

The pets enjoyed a trip along the Nashua River Rail Trail in Clinton.

Episode 28/28

@Pumpkin Farm, New England

Hootie Blowfish and his companions finished their tour of Massa­chusetts with a visit to a "pumpkin patch". There was a bakery attached so they stocked up on pies, jars of local honey, jam and maple syrup!

Hootie Blowfish has enjoyed visting Massachusetts, but it is time to go home. This Event is over now, but there will be more events in PnF soon!