Remember that "built from scrap" barge on Grand Designs a couple of months back, where Mr. Social Worker pissed away the value of a house assembling a odd looking barge that no one would offer mooring space to?
I was on the beach today at Chalkwell on Sea (couple of miles up river from Southend), and found myself looking at something rather odd moored about half a mile out from the shore. Its only when it drifted round a bit to the side I worked out what it was! Not sure if it was actually moored there for the duration or was en-route elsewhere up the Thames, but it would be a slightly awkward place to live - you may find yourself on dry land once a day, but there would be a hell of a long muddy walk to get to the shore!