Our Last Journey on Hadar

 Back in April 2025 Jo and I started to look at flats in the Warwick area with a view to moving back onto the land at some point in time as we didn't want to leave moving off of Hadar until it was too late, and we would be struggling with living on her and struggling to find somewhere and consequently end up hating her. We thought we would have a look at any that came on the market to get an idea of what there was and what we could afford. We viewed 3 flats which 2 were very nice, but went very quickly, and the third was a disappointment.

Friday 9th May Jo got a ping on her phone from Rightmove, previously she would have sent in an email, but this time as it was Friday afternoon she decided to ring the estate agents R.A.Bennett. she spoke to Grace who said we could have a viewing at 5:00pm that day.

Now  this is the important bit, 5:00pm on a Friday.

We met Grace at the property and she showed us around, she said there had been no other viewings so far at this late time on a Friday and they would not be doing any more viewings until Monday. We liked it and said we were very interested, signed the paperwork and paid the holding fee there and then. We waited nervously over the weekend.

On Monday morning Grace rang to say the landlord had agreed we could have the flat and we could pick the keys up at the end of the month, 31st May!

Jo and I picking up the keys from the estate agents.

Saturday 31st Jo and I took the bus into Leamington to pick up the keys from the estate agents.  We then did a bit of shopping in Leamington for a few bits for the flat, including getting some spare new keys to the flat.. Then we caught the bus back to Warwick Railway station and walked to our new flat in Smith Street. 

Entrance gate to Eastgate Yard and the 3 flats above.

Our flat is immediately above the gate and the shop to the right in the photo.

The key to our new flat in the door

We started moving from Hadar into the flat the following day, 1st June, we also started living in the flat from that day and over that week moved more stuff from Hadar to the flat. 

On the 5th June someone came to remove and take away my railway layout Hadarford, and is going to be its new custodian.

Hadarford has gone

Jo and I then started to strip the railway room and redecorate it, along with redecorating the inside of Hadar to get her ready to sell, yes sell.

Empty railway room

New strings fitted which I had already made

And finally the new stern fenders fitted

Friday 20th June we set off from the Saltisford Canal Centre to take Hadar to brokerage at ABNB at North Kilworth to be sold, with our friends Ian and Anne who helped us through Cape locks and for a short ride on Hadar.

Leaving Saltisford Canal Centre

1st of the Cape locks

Radford Smelly lock

Bascott staircase locks, last locks of the day

Moored near The Two Boats, Long Itchington


I said to Jo before we set off that we would eat out each day
 to save having to take lots of food with us!

Dinner in The Two Boats Inn

Saturday 21st June

1st of the Stockton flight

Stockton top lock, flight done in 1 hour 30 mins, and most of the locks were against us

Calcutt locks done, Braunston here we come

Moored at Braunston

Lunch at the Boat House Braunston

Sunday 22nd June

First of the Braunston locks

Jo doing what she did best

1st of the Watford locks

Last of the Watford locks, and last lock ever

Crick tunnel and last tunnel ever

Moored at Crick

We had met up with Bruce and Penny on Okame who moored behind us at the Saltisford Arm in Braunston and travelled with them up Braunston locks and Watford locks, and had a lovely meal with them in the Wheatsheaf in Crick.

Monday 23rd June

 

Leaving Crick

Entering North Kilworth Marina

Moored on the ABNB moorings

So that is it, Hadar delivered to ABNB brokerage at North Kilworth Marina where she is now up for sale, and end of an era, but a start of a new life for Jo and I. 

I will leave this blog active as a record of our time on Hadar.

Keith & Jo Lodge