It has been a little while since Sarah and I last wrote a blog post. The current national coronavirus lockdown has meant our small group rides are currently suspended, so Sarah hasn’t been out on her bike recently. Added to this, of course, is the fact I am currently recovering from my hip operation following my tumble at the end of our recent Cheshire Cycleway tour. It was to aid in this recovery, that we decided upon taking a little walk around Mirrlees, and to take some photos.

It was a cool but sunny lunchtime when we set off on our walk.

This was the first time I had walked without crutches outside of the home since the operation. The hip is still limited in its movement at the moment. So my gait resembles a hobble, but day-by-day it is improving, and this walk was one more step along the road to recovery.

Leaving Grange Road we picked up the back passage which would take us through to Redford Drive.

One of our main aims for our walk was to take our time to enjoy the natural environment around us. There is still plenty of it to admire, even in Autumn – such as these snowberries.

After reaching Redford Drive, we passed by The Shady Oak. It is closed at the moment, due to the lockdown, and it also appears to be up for sale, suggesting its future is uncertain.

Behind The Shady Oak is a path which runs alongside the brook and forms part of the Fred Perry Way. we joined this for a short while, before crossing the brook and heading towards Ringmore Road.

Having crossed over Ringmore Road, we picked up the back path on the edge of the estate and turned towards Mirrlees fields.

Soon, we were back alongside the brook, though further along,  as we made our way back along the path beside it and under the railway line.

This path brought us to Mirrlees Fields. These used to be the home of Davenport Golf club and latterly Mirrlees Sports Club.

It is an area I know well, having been brought up near here and played on these fields throughout my childhood.

The paths have been improved somewhat and there is now a short signposted walk around the fields.

Sadly, these fields have long been under threat with MAN diesel (who own the land wanting to build houses on them). The photo below shows that these fields are well used by locals (it is pretty much the only green space in the area), but this bit of land shown is earmarked for a proposed housing estate! It would be a big loss. Let’s hope Mirrlees Fields Friends Group are able to stop this happening.

Eventually, the path takes you past what remains of MAN Diesel as an engineering company (my aunt and uncle worked here throughout their working life), and the new housing estate built on the former engineering site.

At the end of the path, we turned towards Woodsmoor Rail station.

This path is lit and forms a link between Woodsmoor and Hazel Grove.

Along the way, there is a fishing pond.

After leaving the main path down to the railway station, we pick up the Fred Perry Way path along the edge of Woodsmoor again as we head towards the allotments.

We then turned off the path and into Kinross Avenue.

Then crossed over the railway line using the path at the end of Cromley Road.

Before finishing with a walk along the path by the side of the pond off Southpool Close. This area also used to be fields when I was growing up. It is another example of green space lost, and yet another reason for fighting to keep Mirrlees Fields intact.

Sarah and I had thoroughly enjoyed our little walk around Mirrlees Fields. Sometimes, a simple walk like this can be uplifting. It is often amazing the nature you can find right here on your doorstep.