Grand Ocean

We've had a relatively relaxing day today - Irene and Andy left after breakfast, and then Alan and I nipped into Brighton to pick up some new curtains for the spare bedroom and a couple of roller blinds. We came home for lunch and I've spent the afternoon catching up on your journals while Alan's been fitting the blinds.

On our way back from town we stopped off at the local doctor's surgery to register with them. The surgery forms part of this wonderful Art Deco building 'Grand Ocean', which was built in the 1930's as the Ocean Hotel. It played host to the rich & famous, film stars and royalty, and was even in an episode of the TV programme Poirot. Then during World War II it was commandeered by the Auxiliary Fire Service and opened as a training centre in 1941.

In 1953 it was bought by Billy Butlin and opened as the new Butlins Hotel before being taken over in 1972 and was re-named as the Grand Ocean Hotel. It finally ceased being a hotel in 2004 and has now been developed into luxury apartments, but the developers have retained many of the original Art Deco features both internally and externally. The local Council agreed to the development as long as a new Doctor's surgery was incorporated and also 'affordable housing' was also created nearby.

When we were looking for somewhere to live, we actually viewed some of the apartments in Grand Ocean and whilst they're pretty spectacular and have wonderful sea views, they're quite small and also very expensive. But it has an interesting history and it's great that it's been redeveloped in keeping with the original style. I therefore decided to use Sepia for this blip, as I thought it was appropriate for a 1930's building.

Anyway, Alan's finished the blind and the sun's shining so we're now going out for a walk with Louis. Have a nice evening!