MOSI Visit

Too wet to go walking today so Chis and I went to MOSI (Manchester's Museum of Science & Industry) to look at 'Body Worlds 4: The original exhibition of Real Human Bodies".
As stated on their website, "BODY WORLDS 4 offers MOSI exhibition visitors an unprecedented encounter with the human body in its post mortal state!"

It was indeed a unique exhibition by the creator of the world's first anatomical exhibitions, Dr Gunther von Hagens, BODY WORLDS 4 is stunning.
We were presented with over 200 authentic specimens, including both diseased and healthy organs and whole body specimens that have undergone Plastination - Dr von Hagens' groundbreaking method of halting decomposition and preserving the body after death for medical study.
Plastination is the process of extracting all bodily fluids and soluble fat from specimens and replacing them with vacuum forced impregnation with reactive resins and elastometers, such as rubber, silicon and epoxy. The specimen is then cured with light, heat or certain gases, which give it rigidity and permanence.


Sadly, but understandable, photography and filming is not allowed in the BODY WORLDS 4 exhibition. These images are linked to MOSI's Website and when they update the website will no longer be visible.
There is a charge for entry and, if you want to get the most from a visit, for the Audio Guide (The audio guide, I would go so far as to say, is essential). Specimens on display are assigned a number and have corresponding audio narratives that can be accessed at random. The guide features information on the function and composition of human anatomy, and gives background on diseases and their effects on the body.
A thoroughly enjoyable visit, educational, informative and thought-provoking. By its very nature there are displays of bodies and organs and this should be considered if as parents you are thinking about bringing young children to the exhibition.
We are off to see Paul Simon tonight at the new Liverpool Arena; what a great day this is turning out to be!

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Ogden Clough and Swineshaw

Our walk started from a peaceful lane, between arable land and moorland, taking us through the edge of Hollingworth to a nature reserve created around abandoned reservoirs.
The lambs, at Landslow Green, were an excellent start to the day...

and...

To say the walk was muddy was an understatement; in parts it was very heavy under foot. Apparently this walk was "an easy introduction to moorland" - Rubbish! What with boggy paths through Swallows Wood Nature Reserve and steep climbs, in particular after Devil's Bridge...

the walk was quite demanding; it was also, on the plus side, a very 'engaging' walk
As said already Swallows Wood Nature Reserve is based around former reservoirs created by damming Ogden Brook in the 1850s. Concessionary paths thread the woodlands and we were taunted by the 'mocking laugh' of a green woodpecker which, try as we might, we couldn't locate. Higher up, on moorland tracks and roads, we could see Arnfield, Higher and Lower Swineshaw Reservoirs. There were fine views of Manchester over Lower Swineshaw Reservoir. The reservoirs were very blue which made the cold wind feel even colder. We did expect to see some wildfowl on the reservoirs but were out of luck (Not even a cormorant).Passing back through Hollingworth Hall, we returned to Hobson Moor Road having completed 5.7619 miles. The map of this walk can be found at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1763741.
The picture below has more details of the Nature reserve...

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