David Kew says if they move it will be hard to find Finn a new nursery

Our daily life is pretty much like living in a flat.

We've got all the modern conveniences but you wake up to lapping water against the hull and when big boats go by you run up on to the deck to see what it is.

We've always enjoyed the idea of living on a boat and the closeness of nature which is something you don't necessarily get living in a flat in London.

We've got a little speed boat and I use it to pick up Anna from work. And if you have a guest for dinner and they miss the last Tube home then you can whiz them back on it.

When the weekend comes you can undo your ropes and go to the coast.

It's lovely to have a base in the centre of London where you can actually take your home away with you.

I really don't know what we are going to do...it will be a traumatic change for us and everyone David Kew

It's an amazing mix of people at the moorings. There are teachers and theatre directors, architects and artists.

You go out to work and when you come home you've actually got a living community.

It's belonging to something and you feel very much part of London being on the river.

For Finn, he is growing up surrounded by friendly, smiling faces and with children who are growing up in a similar environment.

RIVER DWELLERS In pics: Views of the moorings

He can play on the moorings and go out on the dinghy without crossing the road.

If we move and the community is broken up then you could be travelling half-way across London just to say hello.

I really don't know what we are going to do.

It will be a traumatic change for us and everyone.

We've phoned around and there are no moorings in London. You may be lucky and find one mooring but when you've got to find moorings for 30 boats that's a different matter altogether.

I'm extremely worried especially as we are very settled here and put down roots on the understanding that we could stay. Then you are told on short notice that you've got to leave, especially with Finn.

'Keep moving'

If it was just the two of us (David and Anna) we wouldn't be happy about moving but it would be easier - it's hard to get a decent nursery or school for a child.

At the moment we have an address and a phone but if we move away then we will have none of this.

It is very hard to explain to a boy that he can't see his friends anymore and that he can't go to nursery.

We are thinking of taking the boat to Holland and then I would commute to London for work.

That's the irony of living on a boat - if you don't have somewhere to moor then you have to keep moving.

An enforcement order has been served by Southwark Council to remove the vessels which it says do not have planning permission. The Port of London Authority, which was also issued an enforcement notice by the council, has fixed notices stating it will enforce a "Special Direction" ordering the removal of all boats and parts of the mooring by 23 October.