Mornington Crescent rides again

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

To nobody’s surprise, the frantic pace of this latest game means that the last thread is full and (as far as I can see) <polishes lorgnette> we don’t yet have a successor. So, off we go with a Brunswick Lateral to

Russell Square

The closed lines rule and the walking interchange rule come into play simultaneously and via Aldwych take us to Holborn.

It’s a lovely morning, so do please join me and the colonel for a picnic at

Embankment

Oooh some nice play there!

Embankment eh @ComeIntoTheGardenMaud? Clever!

After due consideration, taking everything into account and on the basis that it's been cold all week...

Surely

The only reasonable and valid answer is

MORNINGTON CRESCENT!

Amazing, TragicMuse! I didn’t think anyone would spot the way through, but I realise now that, behind your nonchalant manner, you were planning your winning gambit. Brava!

I have a bit of a gift for deceit!

Evidently you do! Reminds me of your successful legerdemain at the Düsseldorf playoffs in ‘97.

Do you wish to start the new game?

Congratulations @TragicMuse . A winner after about 14 weeks!

Thank you!

I shall start the new game with...

Chancery Lane.

Congratulations Tragic!

Given the stormy political times through which we are living, I’m going for a Hobbs Cross to Lancaster Gate

Seems to leave a few diagonals open,

Holland Park

I'll take the bold step of sliding to Moorgate. Seeing as it's Saturday an' all.

First move south of the river whilst it is sunny to Tooting Broadway

All I can say to that is Morden

Hmm. I think my strongest option now is

Elephant and Castle

Cowcaddens.

Did anyone define the rules?

Given today’s weather, I’m going to play it safe with Oxford Circus

Just a general warning to all players - Janice was reportedly spotted in Holborn today measuring latitudinal increments.

How worrying that Janice has managed to shake off her escort yet again. I’ve been assuming from TragicMuse’s opening move that we’re playing according to the Consolidated Rules including the Vanbrugh Appendix, but do I have that wrong?

Hainault

Due to my advanced years, I can't really recall many of the consolidated rules Maud (let alone any Appendixes) but I think I am okay going for Totteridge and Whetstone!

After a late night perusing my own copy of the Consolidated Rules and sipping absinthe, I now feel moved to play Oval. I hope that won’t cause any conflict.

Nicely done, both of you! I feel inspired to venture a converse Boddington to

Turnham Green

I am inexplicably drawn to Plaistow.

Consolidated rules in full effect, absolutely.

So many of us are drawn to the inexplicable, which is no doubt why the Colonel fell overboard at the Cowes Regatta after one too many crèmes de menthe.

Osterley

The west end of the Piccadilly line has caught out many a player of the game of games over the years. Though current players seem to be able to move there with aplomb.

Northfields.

I was there @ComeIntoTheGardenMaud (visiting the Mater and Grands for our annual sailing jolly...)

The Colonel, I may say, had made more than free with the contents of Nonno's cellar before he even got a sniff of the crème de menthe. We all tried to dissuade him from taking the surfboard out, in the dark, in a major shipping lane, but you know how headstrong he can be after he's been at the green stuff. I just thank Jove he didn't spot the Absinthe...

Luckily his offer to sponsor a cup seemed to mollify the Club Commodore and he wasn't black-balled, but my goodness it was a close-run thing.

In honour of my friends at Red Funnel, I'm playing South Quay.