h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Having ridden hard tailed motorcycles, I can picture and feel) this vividly!

The past is relatable.

Schadenfreude -- the misery of others can be enjoyed sometimes.

The image of passengers flying through the air into the inn. I'd love to see that.

And yes, this happened.

Frequently I'd guess!

Well, at least once.

Check your email and rosin up that bow!

This is definitely believable!

Stage coaches were famously subject to mishaps - from getting bogged down in mud to being held up by highwaymen.

They didn't have much in the highwaymen line, but a decade or so before this, there was a fair amount of chicanery with stolen luggage and such. Anne Royall A87947950 says she almost got robbed a couple of times on the stage in Pennsylvania in the 1820s.

This must have been before roads generally were paved. With horses pulling coaches, I wonder how they coped with mud and ruts?

With extreme difficulty.

Did the innkeeper put that stone over there? I wouldn't put it past him.

A good way to drum up business!

Btw, Paul, in the old days when hardly any roads were paved (which is actually up to around the 1920s, a lot of places, or, like, NOW if you're the Hoggetts), in bad weather, passengers used to have to get out of the coaches and walk up hills during hard weather.

Or the men had to help push, or get wheels out of the mud, etc.

I can believe that.

Another excellent chapter, and I particularly like the usage of the Almanac

Thanks, Sasha. It's utterly amazing what you think you can't ever know - and then find out. Like how much postage cost - or when the first stamp was made.

There are facts hiding in unsuspected places.