Bye Bye Bradley
The beautiful view of the promenade and beach from Prestwich Manor made it very difficult to waste the spectacular sunset by staying indoors.
A short stroll down the promenade led to the discovery of a campsite where a group of teenagers were spending their spring break. They came to Ocean View for the scuba diving and shark spotting, but couldn't really afford the luxurious accommodation offered on the promenade.
New friends were soon made and dusk would soon turn into dawn if the the return journey to Prestwich Manor wasn't made soon!
It was indeed a beautiful evening, and Ocean View and surrounds was definitely a place anyone could fall in love with.
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If there was any doubt about the beauty of Ocean View, the next morning cemented a growing love for this corner of Bradley.
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The ocean was teeming life just off shore and the corals were a sight to behold.
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The shipwreck just off the coast was a favourite spot for divers.
And, of course, the friendly sharks of Ocean View was one of the main attractions!
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Given all these distractions it is not surprising that the business that brought us to Ocean View is almost forgotten!
A brisk walk back up the promenade takes us there...
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...but first, a quick brunch at Papa's on the Promenade! The green roofed icon at the bend of Reef Road is an icon, nay, an establishment of great repute in Ocean View (and an even greater and more interesting history).
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You have by now surely noticed the Main Road and Ocean View Central Business District, but also the brown monstrosity known as "The Projects" next to Papa's.
The brown towers lining Reef Road were built during the post-war welfare state experiments as council flats to house the less fortunate. It seems very generous, but the reality is that Ocean View was a mosquito infested swampy morass before the big hearted Congressman Ross discovered it.
The bulldozers and money of Wayne Ross Developments moved in, and with it came condos and skyrocketing land values. Well, almost skyrocketing land values. This was currently being, well, held back a little by the interesting characters of The Projects featuring on the Ocean View skyline.
We think it adds a certain cosmopolitan charm to night-time skyline, but the moneyed class clearly disagrees...
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This is where the business proposal of Congressman "Double Cross" Ross comes in...
Mr Ross has found a way to make the towers magically disappear, and with it, the woes of aforementioned moneyed class.
A committee of the House has been briefed on (imagined and invented) problems with the foundation and underlying rock formations of The Projects. With a committed investor, Mr Ross can set the process in motion and soon have an open piece of land on the Ocean View foreshore ripe for development - and for more genteel folk to move in.
Naturally our conscience and concerns for residents of The Projects would never allow such an appalling proposal to go ahead, let alone would we buy into it.
Unfortunately, Mr Ross is an influential man, and we can't just blow him off. We need time.
Before we can commit, we tell the Congressman, we'd like to make doubly sure that Bradley is a sound investment.
We take a quick tour of Bradley Industrial - east of Meyer's Pond - which, apart from the fish farm, is mainly a logistics and shipping centre catering for the growing consumer class in the former small coastal resort town.
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We also take a look at Bradley Heights north of Prestondale and Bradley Square. The green lungs of Bradley forms a buffer between farm country to the north and the commercial heart of the town.
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We conclude that Bradley is a real gem, a worthy investment, and a great place to be...
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... which is all the more reason to ensure that it is enjoyed by and preserved for people from all walks of life.
How we will save The Projects without getting on the wrong side - or in the legendary Big Black Book - of Congressman Ross will be the main challenge...
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Replies to comments on the previous entry will be posted tomorrow. Thanks again for all the great comments and feedback!
Thanks again for viewing - and reading - and for your continued support! Until next time!
M
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