The inevitable return of Mornington Crescent

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

As winter approaches and the nights draw in, one’s thoughts naturally turn to wholesome, homely entertainment. Instead, though, I invite experienced players and novices alike to join me in a game of Mornington Crescent.

To keep the pace gentle, I’ll begin with an inverse Lepton to

Seven Sisters

Given the bear links in that case it'll have to be

Regent's Park

Oof. I wasn’t expecting that. Best I can manage now is a longitudinal drift to

Kennington

The Archbish, Very Reverend, and His Eminence have all set off back to their palaces and parishes. Such a jolly trio of gentlemen, though the teensy bit of jockeying for position over who says Grace can be...well. No need to dwell.

I have set the junior members to laundry and will shortly go and assess to damage to the cellars. I'm pretty sure the Montrachet '85 took a bit of a beating. Still, it's for drinking not looking at, eh?

Thinking of matters ecclesiastical, Temple.

I am not one to dwell on ecclesiastical matters myself. Even with a vicar in the family. I have no ideas if he ever plays the game of games either.

Cannon Street seems a next move to me.

I’m sure he does, LlynTegid, even if he’s discreet about it. I understand the game of games is pretty much a compulsory subject at theological college and being adept at the game is the quickest route to a bishopric. So, in search of spiritual enlightenment

St Paul’s

How right you are, Maud. I remember an unfortunate incident when the Archdeacon stormed out of a game at Lambeth Palace when the then Archbishop of Canterbury played Kings Cross on the diagonal, shouting, “That would be an ecumenical matter!” I doubt it did his career any good.

Bow Church

There was someone in the tournament of 1988 who thought Bow Bells referred to Bow Church, and played a move that nearly caused the abandonment of a quarter final game. Almost as bad as those people who go to Abbey Road DLR expecting a nearby zebra crossing.

I don't know if there is an open space near Stepney Green, but I move there to try to find out.

You are both right, of course. I remember the Bow Bells incident. It rippled through the professional game for years afterwards and the Rear Admiral still can’t bear to speak of it.

Wapping

Its New Year I think a stop at Westminster is called for.

Welcome to 2023, all devotees of the game of games! Let’s move on from Westminster (as sanctioned by the 2018 revision to the consolidated rules) with a Pinkerton Shuffle to

Fulham Broadway

Not rtft but going for a reverse Russian layback to Elephant and Castle, which is obviously controversial in the current political climate but a legitimate move under the Waterloo rule scheme. (Full disclosure,I’ve been drinking)

As the year is still young, I am invoking the golden hours 'swoop' principle to shoot over to Cockfosters.

The rail replacement bus rule enables me to go to London Overground and end up at Stratford

Oooh, Bermondsey. Using the single line rule, obvs. I don't often employ it, but sometimes...well, it's served its purpose over the years.

Some immaculate play here, worthy of the legendary grand finale in Eastbourne in ‘57, which the Colonel won with an innovative (one might even say unprecedented) longitudinal swoop to Leytonstone High Road. I am not so bold, so will content myself with a bilateral shunt to

Mill Hill Broadway

Time for the Northern Heights rule to come into play, to get to Edgware. I was not part of the 57 tournament but know it has gone down as legendary.

Happy New Year all! It has certainly got off to a good start.

Mill Hill East

Gosh! A very creative implementation of the Phillips Principle and a good base for moving to

Mansion House

I see no other way round if we are using the Philips Principle other than Wood Green

First Tuesday of the month in combination with a waxing gibbous moon,* I'll play Kentish Town.*

I recall the Contessa did such a move in the quarter finals in '75. It was bold but it holds up.

There is a lovely watering hole at Tufnell Park so I shall make the short journey. My late father lived nearby in the 1950s but never told me if he had ever played the game of games.

Not so much gibbous as gibbering, I fear. We’re perilously close to falling into knockings, so I’m going hard core

Turnham Green

Oh that is hardcore. I’ve really thought hard about this one and the only possible move I can see here without ending up in Nidd, is to Blackfriars.

I think you can get to Cannon Street OK.

I hesitate here, but I venture to Lancaster Gate