23rd April. I have reached Mile25 from Leicester. In the grand scheme of things I have managed to average less than a mile a day since Mile37 outside Welton Hythe on 13th March. Things were grand until I left Crick for Welford Junction intending to do it in one go.  All went well right up to  Yelvertoft Mile34. 

Beyond that the canal is infested, there is no other suitable word.  Weed is growing out of the bottom of the canal and dead reed chopped up by other boats and contractors on the towpath tipping cuttings in the cut. The dead stuff suspends in the water and the most I get without having to clear the prop is a mile. 

I am in no particular hurry to proceed. I want to have tunnel lights sorted before Bosworth.  I also want to try to get my ship's whistle whistling and that is proving VERY annoying. There is a very technical issue holding me back and it is a domino  effect going back all the way to the solar panels and the batteries and the lack of charging due to the lack of sunlight.

However ,,, this week is delivering dawn to dusk sunlight and I can now see 12.5v overnight. Tomorrow  (Wed30) I am going to the flat and the following day to the annual Mayday family gathering in rural Hampshire.

As quickly as the Phoenix tree was raised to the light it was felled.  By contractors.  On the day I completed it,  I later took off for an overnight visit to the flat coming back the following afternoon to find it gone.  The brainless cluts working to Canal and River Trust's brief transmitted to the cluts by their managers does not include using discretion and it is easier to cut down a vigorous and thriving sapling than a dangerous crack willow looking for trouble and hanging out over the cut