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.

Very nice deflection there, Llyn.

I’m going to go large with a double oxer to Hatch End

Eek. That leaves me in a most precarious position, but I’ll essay an escape to

Willesden Junction

Heavens. Standards are high this round. Grandmaster-level thinking. I feel slightly out of my depth, I don’t mind admitting. But! I think Silvertown is a safe bet.

I'm feeling a little old-fashioned after a long day yesterday. His Eminence always used to swear by the curative properties of a bullshot and a dish of whelks. I am not of that mind. Too rubbery, whelks.

I've sent himself to say I'm not at home to callers.

Finchley Road & Frognal. *
*

You’re so right, TragicMuse. It’s imperative that one takes plenty of rest on a Sunday, so one may relax and reflect on one’s strategies for the game of games in the week ahead. The result of this afternoon’s cogitation is - wait for it -

Ladbroke Grove

<sharp intake of breath>

Gosh, Maud. You’re not messing about today are you?

Aldgate East

I never mess about. Except when I do.

Poplar

There is no Silvertown, so we use the back to the previous station rule and start from Willesden Junction.

So not messing about and using the London Overground rule, a move to South Acton.

Quite refreshed after a restful day.

Though I did have to deal with a small issue regarding the under-footman and his misunderstanding of the requirements of the job. He was a little put out when I asked him to come out from under the footman. He's new. I shall speak to Brownlow about the use of Instagram for staff recruitment. We never had this problem when we advertised in The Lady.

Today we gird our loins and venture to the High Street. Those who have seen the High Street recently will understand what is at hand. And at stake.

Perivale

Oh no, TragicMuse. How vexing. It can be so difficult today finding reliable staff, although my experiences of the recruitment pages of The Lady were, shall we say, somewhat mixed. Some of the ladies recruited were not all they seemed, but let’s leave it at that. I too need some shopping so am off to

Bond Street

The retired deacon tells a fairly riotous story about the time he and his wife used The Lady to advertise for a gardener and an unfortunate typo slipped through in the printing process. They meant to say bedding the begonias. I shan't say any more; he tells it best (especially if you make sure he's had a couple of sherries first).

A reverse salto to Pimlico.

This game is getting (dare I say it) a little "narrow", as a complete purist of the game of games and to open it up I'm going with Bank

Hmm, HazelBite. I’m not sure I agree, but to show willing I’ll offer a Morton’s Transverse to

Warwick Avenue

Well that opens things up nicely for a lateral to Seven Sisters

As ever, DuckonaBike, you play a move which might at first sight look straightforward but, on closer inspection, places opponents in great peril. I’m hoping I can extricate myself with a quick dash to

Manor House

That was a cunning move, Duck. Took me back to the days of Mr Middlington and his backhanded Loops.

East India

Let's make the move to Poplar that would have happened but for the non-stations rule.

Good afternoon croissantiers...

I fancy that opens the possibility of a jaunt to Peckham Rye.

Unless I'm very much mistaken. And frankly, I never am in matters Peckham...

Peckham?? Hmm I think this calls for a trip toFarringdon to avoid sliding into Nidd.

Good save, Hazel.
As Muse has introduced the Peckham Peculiarity, I'm going to throw caution to the winds and essay an Upside-Down Marque to
Goodmayes

The arrival of February demands a rapid inverse to

Perivale

West Harrow. For obvious reasons.

Far too obvious! This should put a spanner in the works:

Borough

Borough requires only one move I can think of, using the closed lines rule, to the original terminus of King William Street.

I can only come up with Great Portland Street (I recall the Archbishop resorting to a similar move back in '82 )