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

[DuckonaBike]

Staying with the DLR, a festive move to Star Lane

[nosswith]

And on to Stratford International DLR which seems a bit ironic at this time.

[ComeBackIntoTheGardenMaud]

Dear me. A week stuck in the sidings. We’re going to have to put some serious effort in, if we want to enter 2021 with a flourish. I’ve consulted the Compendium (1978 edition, naturally, as the 2015 update was held to be in breach of both the Official Secrets and Obscene Publications Acts) and offer you

Baker Street

[nosswith]

Interesting use of the southeastern high speed rule I expect.

I was not aware of the 2015 update and probably seems a good thing. I was very sheltered as a child and indeed was nearly 20 when first introduced to the game of games.

I think we can go past Bond Street and then via Green Park to Down Street, making use of the closed stations rule. I better check if the bathroom there used in WW2 by Winston Churchill is in need of a clean- it was when I was there about ten years ago.

[ComeBackIntoTheGardenMaud]

Happy New Year, nosswith. It is indeed fortunate that you missed the 2015 update. Its effect on players of the game of games of a nervous disposition was quite lamentable.

I am sure we have passed through this station at least once, but that is only reasonable given its pivotal role in the game of games:

Sloane Square

[nosswith]

It is not a time to dwell long at Sloane Square given the current closure of the Royal Court Theatre and Peter Jones.

Embankment

[Kez200]

Boom. Boom.

Leicester Square

[ComeBackIntoTheGardenMaud]

Hmm. Interesting. Let’s try

Poplar

[HeronLanyon]

Well poplar was a bold move there.
I’m going out on a limb due to the new (not yet ratified by the mc committee so recommendations rather than rules) regulations and play a socially distanced Uxbridge.

[nosswith]

I have never met the MC committee, feel a little aggrieved that they have never invited me. Perhaps they think I haven't a clue about the rules.

Eastcote seems a nice idea to go to at this point.

[HeronLanyon]

noss I’ve seen debates about whether the committee exists - well obviously it does. I’ve also heard that some (all?) members prefer not to identify themselves as members (national security reasons obvs as so centrally vital to U.K. interests). 👀
Slightly worried mn may look at this thread for me even mentioning the committee ?

[ComeBackIntoTheGardenMaud]

No need to worry on that score, HeronLanyon. I heard from a well-placed source that the committee is very happy that MN provides a venue for the game of games for players who can’t get to any of the regular tournaments, especially in current challenging times. The existence of the committee is an open secret although, as you say, its appointment system is opaque and its membership clouded in secrecy. Most of those claiming to be members most certainly aren’t.

Finchley Central

[DuckonaBike]

Glad to see we’re back on again after the Christmas break. As regards the committee, I couldn’t possibly comment.

New Cross Gate

[nosswith]

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

[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

[DuckonaBike]

My lips are sealed, Maud.

A simple move to London Bridge

[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

[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.

[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

[HeronLanyon]

Turnpike Lane
No explanation necessary for that one obvs.

[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

[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.

[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!

[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. . . .

[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