I used to only take my tripod (Manfrotto 190 and 489 ball head) out during the night/very early morning when travelling, but starting doing it during the day. I didn't have a bag or strap for it so was carried in my hand. I was in Corniglia in Italy, which is a very small town. I came back from a long day out and went into a pizzeria to get a pizza before retiring for the night. Got up in the morning and started looking for the tripod. Wtf,
where was it! Had someone come in in the night! Racked my brain and realised I must have put it down in the pizzeria the night before. Luckily they were open early and only about 40 feet from where I was staying. With a bit of gesticulating because of the language barrier, they had the tripod. Lucky,
hopefully lesson learned. I thought.
Two years later I am on the Vaporetto to Burano, Venice, enjoying the sun at the back. Got off and walked into the town. Got to the first canal and... where's my tripod?
I must have left it at the back of the boat.
Ran back to the terminal but the boat had gone the short distance to Torcello, it is only a 10 minute boat trip, and sometimes comes straight back.This time it was going on to somewhere else in the lagoon. The chap at the terminal said he would get a message to the crew to check, and if it were found it would get back to the Tourist Centre in Piazzale Roma, the entrance to Venice, eventually. This was the 2nd day into the week stay. So 3rd day no sign. One night/early morning lost. 4th morning no sign, so then I had to find a camera shop to get a replacement. Bought one for €80, not a known brand but it seemed sturdy enough. Would it take the weight? Yes I was assured. Went and started taking some pics. Put the camera into the portrait position and the camera stated slowly to point down. So had to go and replace it. Thankfully they didn't kick up a fuss. I checked every day to see it had turned up, even on the way to the airport but no.
When I got home I needed to replace the tripod and ballhead I lost because the replacement wasn't the greatest quality, it cost €80 though. And the replacements cost £160 for tripod and head. Luckily, touch wood, I haven't come close to losing another tripod since.
So a quarter of the cost of the trip had to be shelled out because I was stupid enough to forget a tripod. A costly lesson learned. I hope.
Time will tell.