An idiots guide to an idiot: Forest of Dean

Got a cottage on the edge of the Forest of Dean for a week, not an area either of us know so thought it might be nice. Lovely little cottage with a very pretty garden that we hope to be able to sit in,its all enclosed so Ida can wander round as she likes. Although the cottage is excellent the 'village' of Mitcheldean is abit odd. Lots of new (ish) builds and quite a few businesses closed down, including two pubs. The two remaining pubs don't do food which is disappointing, we went to one last night , The White Horse, because they had a singer appearing there called Stuart Earle. He was very good. Lots of his own compositions and a couple of covers including 'The Seeker' by The Who and 'Running Down the Dream' by Tom Petty. I'd say I'm not a big Who fan but the more I hear of their stuff the more tracks I seem to like, I may have to invest in a CD of theirs!
The pub however was like the village, run down & abit tatty. The barmaid cleared the table we sat at and wiped it down, though it was just as sticky when she'd finished! Beer was fine but it was London Pride or Doom Bar! Nothing remotely local, the other pub should be better as its the tap room of a local brewery so the beer will be good, that's not open every day though.
Weather started well today but soon clouded over with intermittent heavy showers, but it didn't stop us going out. Years of standing either getting wet,cold or windswept on football side lines has meant the weather never stops us doing anything. Anyway, we went to Goodrich Castle, about six miles from where we're staying. It's one of the best castles we've been to in a long time. There's enough of it left to get a real feel for the grandeur and dominance this castle had. Built in 1101 it was on the site of an older structure. The Keep, small by Medieval standards has the same footprint as a Roman watch tower. The audio tours are always good in places like this,though it got a little disjointed as we kept diving for shelter when it started raining again. The castle had quite a peaceful existence up until the English Civil War when it was initially held by Parliament then Royalists under the command of the High Sheriff of Herefordshire Sir Henry Lingen occupied by them from 1643. On the 10th March 1646 led by Colonel John Birch Parliamentary forces laid siege to the castle and using mortars such as 'Mons Meg' beat the garrison into submission. it was left pretty well uninhabitable (though Birch helped by stripping the lead from the roofs and doing his best to make sure it couldn't be used defensibly again) It was never rebuilt. 'Mons Meg' still resides in the castle and is a formidable looking weapon.It must have terrified the Royalist garrison as it knocked great chunks off the castle!
While we were looking round we spotted historian, archaeologist and broadcaster Professor Mark Horton there as a normal punter it appeared ! We got round most of the castles audio tour but by now getting cold and wet we adjourned to the coffee shop. The staff at this castle were all very friendly, and most it seemed gave Ida a treat! A good day out.