Count the untrimmed canal edge instead

Never mind counting butterflies, How about counting how many miles of untrimmed canal edge on the towpath side there are, shedding weed into the water, clogging props, and nowhere to stop to clear them, with your engine stopped of course, due to the vegetation?

I think safety should have a priority over butterflies etc. I have just cruised the entire length of the Trent & Mersey, and was shocked at the amount of untrimmed towpath. I will admit that we keep our boat on the Leeds & Liverpool near Burscough, and that is kept pretty pristine. I bet the fishermen are pretty pissed off too.

Robin Johnson, NB Harlequin