A pre-festivities sharpener of Mornington Crescent?

[MarkWithaC]

Unfortunately I was absent for the thrilling climax to the game yesterday, and offer belated congratulations to LlynTegid. It's not often you see that move deployed with such laser-like accuracy.
A last hurrah before we all disperse for our traditional mid-winter break? (I'm for the Canaries this year with the curate and his new-ish special friend, a dear young man).
I'll start us off with a good invigorating Hudson's Cast: Goodge Street.

I wasn't there in 1998. I've always wondered whether I dodged a bullet or missed out on one of the most spectacular events in MC history. Perhaps a bit of both.

I'll play a Termagent's Left to Blackfriars.

Aha. So we’re playing the Cabaret version? Willkommen, bienvenue and welcome to

Charing Cross

Oh Maud that's very rash, I think my wisest move is Warren Street at this point

Rash? Rash, you say? I prefer to think of my moves as bold. Or intrepid. As evidence of which

Holland Park

The walking interchange rule helps to get me on the Hammersmith and City line and on to Goldhawk Road.

The 1998 contretemps was mild compared to what is reported happened at the 1974 convention. I was prevented by chicken pox from attending it though.

Yes, Llyn, I've heard plenty about 1974 too. It makes one's hair curl. Especially if Lord Diddingsbury can be persuaded to tell his story about the scullery maid and the ornamental carp.

So! I see that (to continue the Cabaret theme) we're getting there: 'inch by inch/step by step/mile by mile'.

I hope and trust that a Bishop's Fancy to Upney is a good move at this point.

To avoid any need to play the rail replacement bus rule, a move to Hornchurch.

I though Lord Diddingsbury was now an Earl, or am I confusing him with someone else?

I thought Lord Diddingsbury was a retired High Court Judge? But I fear I am mistaken as I have no recollection of him serving on the bench!
Back to the matter in hand Neasden

Hazel, I am unsure if that was a euphemism. But moving on …

It’s Low Sunday, so I’m making a carefully cantilevered reach to South Hampstead.

Clever move, had not though the London Overground rule could be played then.

Queen's Park

Lord D is indeed a retired judge. He retired a little early. Accounts of why vary somewhat. And knowing him, I wouldn't be surprised if that wasn't a euphemism...

I'm playing it safe, given that Neasden move: Pimlico, using a fractional tenth.

I have just consulted my phone as I am ensconced in a very comfy corner on a Metropolitan line train, I am approaching Northwood Hills (I shall observe a minutes quiet contemplation in memory of the late great BC)

I continue to Chorleywood. I can guess many a game of the game of games took place in the days when the Met Line had Pullman cars.

Oh, that's a lovely little move, Llyn!

I'm going to use my last Underlining to go to Swiss Cottage.

Given a wish to avoid the game being stationary for too long, a move to Kilburn.

Do forgive my recent absence. My secret phone rang, you-know-who gave the code word and I had to rush to the palace to advise on recent interpretations of the Clements Ruling on Metropolitan Line horizontals. Anyway, that’s all done now.

Royal Oak

Royal Oak! My, my how very bold, after careful consideration I'm thinking of a South Eastern interchange and going with Edgeware Road

I like to be bold, HazelBite, as I shall demonstrate with this elongated downward to

Pimlico

I haven't been contacted by the palace since the message was conveyed by pigeon.

I cannot see a way out of the Ehltorp's Bind created here except for a fairly unorthodox (but allowable, under the rewritten 2001 addendum) Pitt's Do-Down to take us to High Barnet.

Very unreliable are pigeons!
Makes me think of Charing Cross which would be a suitable move at this juncture!

Pigeons make me think of the incident at the choirmaster's otherwise delightful garden party a few years back, when the curate's maiden aunt was sporting a dashing feathered hat and a passing pigeon seemed to mistake it for their pigeon spouse.
We couldn't eat the canapés or drink the ginger ale punch after that.

Bush Hill Park

Bush Hill Park is destined to be part of the Weaver Line. Which is not named after a certain famous parish clerk, who I expect plays the game of games.

Back down the line to Seven Sisters.

I suspect you’re right about that, Llyn.

Apologies for my absence - I’ve been occupied with matters of, er, local importance. Let me liven things up with a Henchman’s slide to Vauxhall

A Henchman's! That's classy. I think, from there, Lassiter's Ruling (the 1988 amendment) permits me to say Debden.

Time for the closed line rule to be played, so on to Ongar.