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

A lateral reverse to Perivale

Oh, I was hoping someone would do a contracheck! We could have been heading fo a very sticky situation vis-à-vis the Pinner Exception otherwise.
I can now, with some relief, play an Upper Hinchcliffe and take us to Hornchurch.

Now then @MarkWithaC. I think your demon-player side is really coming to the fore!

I learnt the game of games at the knee of grandpère. And the Contessa, of course. She was always so kind, particularly after a medicinal aqua vitae or two.

With that in mind...Clapham South.

IME the Contessa before her aqua vitae was more interesting, because less ingratiating. She certainly put me in my place when I tried to use a McGyver on the Northern, and I don't mind telling you I have never attempted it since.

An integrated axel to Alperton.

Contessa, my foot. Everyone knows she was born in dubious circumstances on the shadier side of Trieste. But I would never hold that against her.

Rickmansworth

I see back in Metroland eh? I think I can manage a rapid scissor inflection and take us to Bsrbican

Or even Barbican

In a way Barbican despite the brutalist architecture nearby is technically a part of Metroland, though notably missed out when the then Poet Laureate waxed lyrically about it. As is the place for my move, Moorgate.

Enjoying the reminiscences about the contessa. I still remember her at the after party when she had narrowly missed out on victory in the 1984 European semi final in Dijon, standing on the bar downing tequila shots and shouting “Come on, I’ll take the lot of you.” The Colonel had to talk her down, and I must say she apologised very graciously the following day.

A little pas de chat to Old Street.

I hope and trust this doesn't fall foul of the 2017 Clause 84b ruling...
Sloane Square by dint of a triple Gough.

Oh and, Maud, if we're on the subject of being born on the wrong side of things, try asking around about the curate.

A move to Gloucester Road.

Is it just me and you, Llyn? Mano a mano, eh. Takes me back to the old days in Grange-over-Sands.

Any road up: an extended McKay to Mansion House.

Good morning! I’m just back from the tournament in Biarritz. I was surprised not to see you there, until I remembered that your passports had probably been confiscated after that regrettable incident on the night boat to Dover. Hello sailor, indeed. Anyway,

Covent Garden

Hello Maud, lovely to have you back and hope you had a jolly time. Biarritz! That takes me back. I have fond memories particularly of a little hole-in-the-wall bar by the docks (you've to turn left at the tabac and then ask). It's a… lively clientele.
My passport is very definitely present and correct, though; I think you're thinking of another Mark – hails from Grimsby, known for the ping-pong ball and the funnel?

Right, Covent Garden eh (nice use of Bachmann's Logic).
I'm going to go centrifugal and take us to Shepherds Bush Market.

Personally, Maud, I have no regrets about the incident in question.

Nice bit of angular momentum there Mark. I’ll counter with a Baxter’s Double to Regents Park

Hmm. It’s six of one and half a dozen of the other, but the odds are in favour of

Russell Square

I was absent from Biarritz which was my doing after planning to travel on a budget airline, who cancelled the flight presumably because orange was not the colour in season in the south west of France.

Closed line rule in play here- Aldwych.

Ah. I was hoping to try out an amended whisk (I was taught it by the curate back in Lytham St Annes and have been itching to give it a gallop), but that prêt on the Aldwych moves precludes it...
I'll call a Montezuma instead and say High Barnet.

Goodness me! High play indeed!

I was on my way to Biarritz when I received note that the Colonel had escaped again. I know the establishment is keen on open air and physical jerks (can never remember if it's callisthenics or eurhythmics) but I do so wish they wouldn't insist on it. They don't realise that making him fit enough to outrun all but the most athletic of orderlies is just asking for trouble.

Fortunately the old Bonneville was swift enough to catch up. And one does know his favourite haunts, of course.

But by the time I'd coaxed him back with a trail of Gentleman's Relish and Chocolate Olivers, soothed the ruffled feathers of the village shopkeepers - he does love the post-mistress, she is an exceedingly patient woman. Remarkable stoicism - AND restocked the cellar for the third time this year. Well, my crossing had sailed and I'd already (foolishly, some might say) relinquished my bye for the early rounds.

Next year perhaps.

Frankly, I'm a little part-worn. And really only in the mood to proffer Alperton.

Dear me, TragicMuse, that does sound exhausting. I trust you are now recovered.

Whatever his foibles, I think we can all agree that life with the Colonel is never dull. Of course, he’ll have been particularly keen to escape to Biarritz because that’s where he met the Herzogin in ‘65, an event which changed both their lives and the history of the game of games.

I’m feeling frolicsome, so

Barons Court

I think they espouse callisthenics AND eurythmics. The former is good for tone, balance and strength, and the latter is more about rhythm and music. Pretty catastrophic for the… place and its staff, anyway, as you say – it means he's not only strong and fit but can also literally dance his way to freedom.
Anyway, it sounds as though all came right(ish) in the end.

And it's funny that we mention the Herzogin; I'd been thinking about that and wondering if I could use the Moleskin Defence that emerged from it.
Looking at the direction of play, I believe I can: Gunnersbury

There are times when my knowledge about defence in the game of games is about as little as that of an association football player Harry Maguire. Who probably should have been playing the game of games in Greece when arrested and expecting the policeman to know who he was.

Richmond

An isolated left takes us safely (well, assuming we can avoid the obvious issue) to Dagenham Heathway

Ah, fond memories of Ian Dury there, although I’m unsure whether he was a player of the game of games.

Stepney Green

The way the curate tells it, at least, Ian D would have liked to play, but there was an incident at the summer fundraiser one year involving a dachshund and a bowl of strawberries after which it was mutually agreed 'perhaps not'.

May I play my second-to-last Hurlingham? I can see a nice anhedral to Nine Elms.