27/11/21 - A literary walk from Yarpole, Herefordshire

Distance - 6.5m

Walk Inspiration - 100 Walks in Hereford and Worcester - Walk 50

Geocaches - 0

The fifth installment of Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London book series - Foxglove Summer - is set in the fictional Herefordshire hamlet of Rushpole.  It didn't take too much detective walk to find out Rushpole is based on the very real location of Yarpole.  References to Croft Ambrey, Mortimer's Cross and Pokeshouse Wood gave the game away.

Yarpole - Inspiration for a book and a walk

Roadside parking at the Church - unusual for containing the village store and having a separate Bell tower.

Timbers dating to 1192.  Shop closed on my return

The walk takes me across the fields to the smaller hamlet of Bircher - where multi trailed common land is accessed.  As long as I am going up, I am heading in the correct direction.  

Although you have to question the sanity of walking in forestry commission land in the dying hours of Storm Arwen.  The Douglas Firs are just as impressive when they are horizontal.

The Gentle slopes of Bircher Common

I must admit to listening for timber creaks.  Plenty of clambering over trees

Views from Croft Ambrey Hill Fort

Croft Ambrey hillfort conquered, it's downhill into Fishpool Valley.  A pleasant series of man made pools containing brown trout, crayfish and and freshwater shrimps.  A pumphouse has been restored to include information boards and a viewing platform.

Top Pool - Fishpool Valley

Pumphouse Machinery

All of this endeavour was to provide food and water to Croft Castle.  Sadly, the steep sided valley renders this out of view - and a check on google suggests what a splendid view it would have been.

A walk for another day.

Cock Gate provides access to Green Lane.  I had completed my homework and I knew the Bell had recently closed down.  Facebook rubbing salt in the wound.  A last post on their page suggesting a Halloween 2022 drink off of the remaining stock.

A Dead Pub Walk

But all is not lost

Closest alternative refreshment - Orelton's Maidenhead.