The Ribble Link back to Rufford

Today was a journey of many parts, with lots of waiting in between.  45 minutes to the holding basin at the top of the Millennium Link.  Nerly two hours to traverse the link as far as Lock 8 (more waiting) and then 25 minutes for the tidal section as far as the waiting pontoon before the sea lock.  Nealy an hour wait there, then 2 hours for the river section and straight on to Rufford another 1 1/2 hours.  There were three narrowboats and one cruiser in the convoy.  The cruiser shot off first and was never seen again.  Two of the narrowboats kept pace and were first in the lock at Tarleton, the other fell back and would have arrived just as the lock was cycled again.  A fifth boat on the list apparently, never showed.  Lovely weather with a chill NW wind, but the surface was scarcely ruffled.