Azolla weed makes it's appearance again.

What a lovely morning. Although there was plenty of frost about luckily the canal section at Zouch was ice free. 

Frosty Zouch





Different view of Ratcliff Power Station

  That's not to say it was all like that. Once onto the river we made excellent time but when we got through Loughborough  lock the ice was all apparent. Thankfully it was relatively thin and as we went past the moored boats at a snails pace, we didn't push the ice onto the boats.



Heading toward Loughborough.



 I did notice something worrying though. Just past moor Lane bridge ( 36 ) the dreaded Azolla weed reared its ugly head. All along the canal sections and then onto the river it was apparent. It is the one thing that I thought would happen. As it has already spread from the Soar onto the canal sections then I'm pretty sure that before long all the rivers and canals will be covered. It was pretty bad at Silby Lock and its even as far as Junction Lock where we are moored at present. I'm beginning to wonder just how far it has travelled.  It doesn't look as if the cold weather gets rid of it! I do hope BW gets this weevil to chomp its way through the stuff. It might be the only hope to keep our waterways alive.



Silby Lock




Azolla weed present in Silby lock. The photo shows it looking white ( It's not. It is most definitely greeny/brown ) and  it is  the weed!

 Tomorrow we make for Birstall ( another 2.5 miles ) and then the mammoth push to get through Leicester. Mileage to Kilby Bridge is 15. Locks to Kilby is 17. Ian estimated that 9 hours should see us through  We leave at first light and hope and pray that the ice will be thin and the pounds full of water. We do NOT want to be stuck in Leicester!!!!