"Fresh" Forest of Dean.

[potioncat]

> Geoff:
> You  need to remember that this "Forest" uses the word in the 
alternative 
> sense of a royal hunting ground and is not a densely wooded area but 
has 
> quite a lot of open country as well. 

Potioncat:
Tell us more. What does Forest of Dean conjure in the mind of a Brit? 
Is it a place of legends? Does it have a particular reputation or fame? 
Is it really not a deep forest?

I read a book not long ago that took place in and near the Forest of 
Dean. Mention was made of abandoned mines, and of pools of water formed 
from old quarries. No one showed up to place or remove an old sword, 
though, and there were no deer, silvery or otherwise.