Arnos Vale

We took the opportunity while we were in Bristol today to visit the exhibition "Space Steps - The Moon and Beyond" at the Royal Photographic Society headquarters. This exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing and the first men to walk on the moon.  It uses original photographs from NASA showing the preparations, rocket launch, journey and moon landing etc and also shows an original Hasselblad used in space, plus samples of moon rock and dust, and various mementos of the event.  I thought it was an excellent, well designed and presented exhibition which deserves a big audience.  While we were there this morning, there were only about 3 other people visiting:  such an exhibition in London would be crowded virtually all the time.  However the staff at the RPS felt that they had had a good audience.  I can recommend it to anyone who happens to be in Bristol.

Across the road from the Paintworks (the site of the RPS HQ and Martin Parr Foundation) is the Arnos Vale Cemetery.  We popped in there this afternoon, just for a quick look around (we had to get back into the city centre for around 5pm).  I have never  visited before, and I had no idea just how large it is (45 acres, apparently). It was established in 1837 and much of it has grown wild, as nature has taken over and covered the gravestones.  It is a peaceful place with many paths through the trees and I might have to return there with my camera when I have more time.