Back in the sixties, in the era of peace and love (Vietnam, Korea, Cold War) we had the Hippies. In the 70s they slowly transformed themselves into "Alternative Lifestyle Proponents", during the 70s, 80s and 90s they became "New Age Travellers" and, complete with unlicensed vehicles, old buses etc, they roamed the country despoiling fields, stealing anything that wasn't nailed down and generally living their freestyle life at the expense of the taxpayer.
Some of them discovered the canal system and moved their lifestyle onto the water, again unlicensed, but now afloat they followed the same route as their land-bound fellows. Multiple dogs, children, adults, washing lines, collection of "things" taking over the roof of the boat and the towpath.
Whilst there are still a few on the canals most seem to have disappeared, have they gone back to the land? Have their boats sunk? Have the multiple children grown up, become accountants and lawyers and quietly bought their parent groups a house? Have they moved into Old Folks Homes?
I nearly joined a Hippie group in the late sixties because of a girl, it all fell apart when they said I would have to sell my motorbike and give the money to the group to buy drugs. The girl was sleeping with anyone who would give her an interesting roll-up so I decided that discretion was the better part of valour and moved on!
My question is - where have all the New Age Travellers gone?