Stinkhorn ( Phallus impudicus )

Our third day on Solace.  We hadn't been cruising long before we reached Alrewas where passing through a lock we joined a canalised section of the River Trent or perhaps that should be a riverised section of the canal.   Which ever it should be the character changes.  There is a definite flow of water, the water is deeper so propellers don't stir up mud and you can see deep into the water.

All too soon we were off the river again.  Then a little disappointing, our favourite mooring place was inaccessible owing to the massive growth of canalside vegetation.  So we carried on all the time hoping for a nice secluded spot with no mass of vegetation.  No luck!  We tied up for the night at the visitor moorings for Branston Water Park.

The water park always interests us, so we had a wander all the way round the "gravel pit" (well it was once).  On the way, I spotted this fungus, one I have never seen before but have seen in books many times.  The Stinkhorn is described as common, despite having roamed the countryside all my life this is the first I can remember seeing.  As the name suggests it emits a very oungent smell.