When nothing else will do - Mornington Crescent anyone?

[NicolaMarlowsMerlin]

Feels like we could all do with a robust tournament round about now. May I start?

I know this is cheeky, but I’ll begin with...

...Osterley

[EveryDayIsADuvetDay]

I'm assuming, sadly, that we are playing under Brexit rules, so heading for Waterloo.

[peak2021]

@WalkingInTheAir13 well done, belated congratulations. I better start a new game.

[WalkingInTheAir13]

The delays on the lines (and not just the usual suspect, Northern Line) have been unacceptable..
And so I'm making the final move to…… MORNINGTON CRESCENT!

Better luck next time folks.

[DuckonaBike]

That’s very daring peak2021. If I may be permitted a direct move to another closed station (which I think is allowed on Blue Monday) then I move to City Road.

Perhaps it is just as well that the Major is not with us this evening.

[peak2021]

I see that the closed stations rule has not been played so far this year and so I play it to move from Holborn to British Museum. I don't think this former station has been a move since the ill-fated tournament held at Olympia in 1991. I remember the Major's look of horror (or was it disgust) at the time.

[OnionsAreToxic]

I'm going to go for Holborn

[peak2021]

I think a move to Piccadilly Circus. Interesting to see with shops shut.

[WalkingInTheAir13]

The Willan Manoeuvre is definitely allowed.

In fact, due to the museums being closed, I am going to use it to slide into Knightsbridge.

[peak2021]

I think there is an opportunity to move to South Kensington. Pity the museums are shut but understandable.

[DuckonaBike]

Another quiet spell...

Let’s make up for it with the Willan Manouevre to Hyde Park Corner. I trust this is allowed, in the circumstances.

[ComeBackIntoTheGardenMaud]

Oh dear, oh dear. Have we learnt nothing?

Tottenham Court Road

[nosswith]

I think I need to use the tram rule again. DuckonaBike has played a clever move. Off to West Croydon it is.

[DuckonaBike]

Well it certainly isn’t a work I would like my husband or servants to read Maud. But as you say, best to move on.

As it’s a Sunday, I’m branching out to Morden.

[ComeBackIntoTheGardenMaud]

Welcome aboard, Puddleglum. I’m sorry to hear you disapprove of my mentioning the 2015 update - I thought (wrongly it seems) that everyone was by now familiar with the furore and consequent litigation. Onwards and upwards

Queens Road Peckham

[HeronLanyon]

So unexpected a move I need time to work that one out. Don’t even know yet whether it was ostentatious or something far more downright devious or genius. . . .

[PuddleglumtheMarshWiggle]

Apologies for having sat out of the game for so long. Have now been busy catching up with you all. Did feel that mention of the 2015 update was a strategy by a previous player to detract from what was a very precarious move.
With all boldness now, and confidence in my many years playing I move to
Kew Gardens
An ostentatious move, I think you'll agree!

[nosswith]

Maud he did come from a part of London that used to be in Essex so you may be correct. Mr Dury's knowledge of Underground stations and references in other songs might be a clue.

So let's go to his home station as it were, Upminster.

[ComeBackIntoTheGardenMaud]

I'm not so sure about Ian Dury. I've always thought that the mention of this station in arguably his most famous song was a covert reference to the game of games and an invitation to his fans to participate therein:

Dagenham Heathway

[HeronLanyon]

Turnpike Lane
No explanation necessary for that one obvs.

[DuckonaBike]

I doubt that he did, nosswith. It’s not for everyone.

Maud, I am not surprised. Some people just won’t be told.

Putney Bridge

[nosswith]

Using the riverbus rule and then the District line to Fulham Broadway. I wonder how things would have been if the late Ian Dury had worked there, though what a waste of his talents it would have been. Somehow I cannot see that he played the game of games.

[ComeBackIntoTheGardenMaud]

You are wise to be so discreet, DuckOnABike. The Colonel foolishly let slip that he was on the committee from '66 until quite recently and was constantly being lobbied by folk who wanted to reinstate the Featherstonehaugh Diversion (can you imagine?)

Waterloo

[DuckonaBike]

My lips are sealed, Maud.

A simple move to London Bridge

[ComeBackIntoTheGardenMaud]

Good to see you, DuckOnABike. I would never be so gauche as to enquire, but I shall just observe that your absences at crucial moments from this game seem always to coincide with the rumoured dates of the committee meetings. Just saying.

Playing the overground rule to

Tulse Hill

[nosswith]

The DLR rule helps here I think and gets us to Limehouse.