I remember visiting Shaw’s Corner years ago and finding a common interest with the guide. He handed me that Nobel Prize folio to admire as well as Shaw’s Oscar (for My Fair Lady). The plating was worn off the statuette from much handling and I remember thinking, “Well! This wouldn’t have happened at a US National Trust property – all the goodies would be under glass or guarded by bulldogs!”

As you say, Chris, a long-remembered happenstance.

My own favorite accident happened on November in England. I was staying with my cousin Patti in Essex, and we drove one day to George Bernard Shaw’s house in Hertfordshire. Patti had called in October to get the hours but had not been told that the historic house was closed from November through March, a detail we didn’t learn until we arrived.

That didn’t deter my cousin, who went straight to the front door, where her knock was answered by a man who identified himself as the caretaker’s husband. Patti told him, in short order, that I was a huge Shaw fan, had come all the way from NYC, and had been anticipating this visit as one of the highlights of my trip, and all but ordered him to give us a private, off-season tour.

He responded by giving me a grilling on various points of Shavian trivia, and when I passed, he broke out in a wide grin and said, “Come on in.” But he didn’t just let us explore the place as long as we wanted–he and I shooting Shaw anecdotes back and forth as we went. He also fished out of storage an item that’s not kept on view, Shaw’s Nobel prize, which I was allowed to hold and photograph. Had we come during the season, I’d never have had that experience…which was, without question, a highlight of that trip.

Without putting a damper on your story, I think the bad instances usually tend to stick with us, because they are usually followed by some sort of loss. Finding the worlds greatest restaurant is a great story and good memories, along with a hot dog stand. Matter of fact, so is a palm tree falling on your car (original to say the least). Unfortunately, it is the palm tree on your car, car accident, injury, etc that always come to mind first. Why? This is easy. All these events tend to cost someone either financially or long term (injury) or worse. It’s hard to forget having to pay out boat loads of money for bad events. I’m sure the hotel will remember the bill for that tree for quite some time.

Justin