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

Ah @DuckonaBike, my grandparents lived near Kensal Rise! I have childhood memories too!

Sticking with the theme of nostalgia and childhood, and staying north of the river for now, Finchley Road and Frognal.

Now I THINK if I'm not mistaken I can make use of the perambulation passé temps préféré and walk to Finchley Road - and from there to

*Uxbridge
*

• but I fear I may have cross-referenced European rules here noting the reference above to the schism between the Continental and British doctrines precipitated by the Ljubljana in ‘52 incident. As I have only heard the events recounted I will bow to the superior knowledge of others in the game as to whether my move is valid.

Oh @Pumpkintopf, your feigned innocence of the intricacies of the doctrinal schism may fool some of the players here who have yet to realise who you are behind your carefully chosen pseudonym, but I clocked you immediately. I had heard of the back channelling to negotiate your release following that unfortunate diplomatic incident, but was not aware it had been successful. How thrilling to have you here with us. I see what you’re trying to do with that perambulation, but I think I can head you off with an anticlockwise slide to Canada Water.

Indeed. I know who all of you are, having recently upgraded my little black book and entered your details, including aliases and noms de guerre, on a database that’s more secure than the Bank of England (whose successive governors, as you may know, have been devotees of the game of games). I have the full list of who was there in Ljubljana in ‘52 and who merely wishes they were.

Let’s go a little crazy

Leicester Square

Let us start the day (or is it end the night) by leaving the centre and going to Tooting Broadway.

Playing it safe (or am I?) at

Stockwell

Hmm that is quite risky@ComeIntoTheGardenMaud I would suggest Bethnal Green*

There’s been some very daring play today! Is the cold weather affecting everyone’s judgement? And was anyone else in Novosibirsk in the winter of 1978?

(Maud may have a note of this in her little black book, of course. And I thought I had covered my tracks so carefully … )

Bow Church

Given the NDAs that all present were pressed to sign by the Colonel’s lawyers in the immediate aftermath, I’m not sure anyone is able to either confirm or deny their participants at Novosibirsk, @DuckonaBike, although I have it on good authority that those who attended can usually be spotted by their tendency to flinch at the sight of jelly.

And on that note, I’ll take us to Bank.

I had matters to deal with in 1978 that restricted my participation in the game of games. Which the young (at the time) Major is keeping schtum about.

The ex Underground line rule helps me get to Finsbury Park.

Believe me, the little black book has been burned (too much of a security risk, even in the vaults, protected by some of the Colonel’s finest men) and the intimate details of Novosibirsk (including who ate the jelly and where) are recorded on their own page in my very comprehensive database.

Walthamstow Central

Please, do not mention the jelly. It is a long time since I allowed any across the threshold.

Highbury & Islington

I think you may have incriminated yourself, DuckOnABike!

Oval

I'm feeling very reckless so I'm offering Grange Hill

The eastern part of the Central line can be a risky move as was discovered in the 2001 Easter tournament. Though now we are there and to avoid any red faces, a move to Roding Valley.

((Trembles))

Totteridge and Whetstone

I've been slightly hors de combat.

Tomorrow I am having a jaunt. Due to the vagaries of our railway infrastructure I have decided to take an actual coach rather than one masquerading as a train.

With that in mind, Victoria Station.

That’s very courageous of you, TragicMuse, but then you have been renowned for your courage ever since that reverse demi-shunt on the Piccadilly line in 2002. Biarritz was shaken to the core. For me, the safety option:

Chigwell

Right.

<sips tea>
<adjusts pince nez>
<takes deep breath>

Oxford Circus

@DuckonaBike no need for deep breaths, that move has got us out of a hole.

Time to move west to South Ruislip.

Ooh. Let’s go for it.

Heathrow Terminal 5

Oh Blimey @ComeIntoTheGardenMaud you've quite cofused me there but I think I can go with Stanmore*

I'm all confuzzled by '@ComeIntoTheGardenMaud's post and completely lost my ability to spell and type, but I can firmly assert that Stanmore is the way to go 🙄

I accept that some players of the game of games - even very experienced ones - find the move to Heathrow Terminal 5 rather disconcerting, but once I’d seen the Commandant General play the same move at the Leipzig quarter-finals in ‘99 I was convinced. She went from also-ran to tournament winner in just two moves.

Tower Hill

Well on that basis I only have one feasible option but I note the other end of this desirable 'landmark luge' has already been utilised in this round of the game of games so I do hope someone skilled can move us on without landing me in Nidd. I would hate to see a repeat of the debacle of Killarney in '98 which saw players have to retire to the local and sink copious pints of Guinness whilst awaiting rescue from an external 'flying squad' of crack (not craic) players summoned by the local priest.

Monument