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.

Indeed, although Dickens was prescient in so many ways.

Dagenham Heathway

I suspect Dickens wouldn't have let geography get in his way if he had conceived a passion for the game. It didn't stop Catherine, according to those who have her down as an enthusiast; they say evidence suggests she started playing when she was a slip of a thing. I wonder if it was more that the demands of MC on top of the writing were simply a bit much.

I'll make a lateral Flipkens to Snaresbrook.

No idea if Dickens went there, a move to South Woodford.

What ho! Happy new year to one and all!

I am inexorably drawn to Hainault. If you were at the Golders Green quarters in '63 you'll understand...

I think I do understand, Tragic. Was that the occasion when that reserved little man with the moustache dazzled everyone with his brilliant play? I remember a double oxer closely followed by a reverse Chiggers Loop on the District Line. I was awestruck.

In any case, Limehouse.

Ah, Limehouse. One of my very favourite locations for the game of games. Those who have been on the MC circuit for a while will comprehend why.

Tower Hill

The game of games has been played in Limehouse for a very long time, indeed one of the earliest places for a recorded tournament (1910, passed without incident).

Mansion House

It is rare, as we know, for a tournament to pass without incident. I can only assume the Grand Duke was otherwise detained in 1910 and could not make his presence felt, as was his wont in later years.

Barbican

The Grand Duke was most certainly detained. Some say incarcerated, but I couldn't possibly comment either way.

Carpenders Park, using a Double Michigan.

It was indeed @DuckonaBike his moustache-twirling was always presented as one of his 'tells' but after seeing his Arsenal when everyone expected him to show us his Cockfosters I knew it was a double bluff. Funny man. Popular with the footmen. And the chamber maids now I come to think of it. Generous tipper.

Dollis Hill

Ah. I remember him. A rum cove, prone to showing his Arsenal just when one expected it least. And those weren’t so much tips as hush money. But all’s fair in love and MC, so let’s move on to

Burnt Oak

'generous tipper' is presumably a euphemism?

These last couple of moves are quite thrilling; I must applaud you both.
Mine will be humble by comparison, but it's Tooting Bec (and some of you may well share my fond memories of the reverend and Tooting at his garden parties).

I always enjoyed Tooting with the Reverend...

On an ecclesiastical theme, Parson's Green.

Oh heavens, I can see us getting into Nidd if we're not careful...
I need to think.

OK. Fairlop (windward, definitely). Think we're safe now...?

You’re right, TragicMuse. We need some spiritual enlightenment here (and I’m not thinking of the type found at the bottom of a bottle of absinthe).

Temple

I don't disagree, but I can't see any safe moves involving any of the more exalted-sounding options.
I have to stay secular and say Woodside Park, using a semi-trip.

The seen from the next station rule has to be played here, usually reserved for the interchange rule, though it called a kerfuffle in 1966 when someone alleged you could see Covent Garden from Aldwych.

West Finchley.

Well you probably could, Llyn, if it wasn’t for the ‘ouses in between.

I’m opening things up with a Goedel’s to Dalston Junction. I’ve checked my triangulation and I think that’s permitted.

Goedel’s is a very easy-going little trick and definitely permitted, Duck, I remember that much from the 2017 Easter symposium.

A heel left to Aldgate East.

Aldgate East on an even Friday? @MarkWithaC I like the cut of your jib.

With nautical matters in mind Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich

Muse, yes, I thought with the Angular of that Burnt Oak move it would work well.

Not nautical, but nice (I thangyew),
Knightsbridge

The western end of the District line is a set of stations often overlooked in the game of games, except perhaps for those on the Richmond branch when the London Overground rule is played (or its predecessor the North London line rule, infamous when used by a certain musician in 1982 alongside his latest recording [scandalously not available on 78 rpm]).

Stamford Brook

I agree, Llyn, although I know the Dowager Duchess to be fond of Parsons Green.
I'm going to deploy one of my Leftward Hooks and go to Latimer Road.

True aficionados of the game of games will understand the reasoning behind the next move:

Stockwell

Which I will follow with Tooting Bec.