Email: Suggestion for Ralph
From his latest message it would also appear that he has a home mooring. Either he has a particularly attractive boat, which interests passers-by so much that they are moved to take photographs of it, or there is some monitoring of his activities going on by some authority or other. [The photograph shows Ralph's boat moored below Weston Lock on Boxing Day 2011—not one to arouse too much interest...]
I have a suggestion to make, next time he is aware of the registration number of his boat being photographed, he reciprocates by taking a picture of the person(s) doing it. [Boater Paul Edwards has suggested the same—Editor.]
If challenged, then an exchange of reason for the picture taking can take place. It does seem that one of perhaps three things is happening.
1. Either he is paranoid and views all towpath walkers with suspicious looks.
2. Folks are drawn to his boat for reasons given above, or...
3. Something else is going on.
CaRT seem to have admitted it is the latter, but without explanations as to what Mr Freeman has done to excite their interest. Perhaps it is a co-incidence that he has been critical of the organisation.
I am sure that I am not the only one who would be interested to hear it has all been explained to him...
Tony Collins