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.

Ah. I was hoping to use up my Crow's Stash, but that's risky now.
Instead I'll make a double purl to Greenford.

Oh hurrah! First Friday, Ockham's Razor is in play!

Holland Park.

Amersham, with a Divulged Eighth.

Metroland, as it was termed by the late Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman, offers a box of delights for the game of games, with or without the closed stations rule. Much as he respected the late Queen, I can imagine the horror on his face when finding out the line named after her goes west and includes Slough.

Rickmansworth.

The Slough of Despond, indeed. Let us advance to

Westminster

Ooh, very fancy. Keeping us on our toes as usual, Maud.

A Randall’s Half to Balham

In which case - and because I’m still enjoying the novelty -

Battersea Power Station

I don't know if there is a rule in the game of games that allows certain moves following a move to a Station station, because such names are so rare. Maybe as rare as a flying pig.

So a safer option is to move two stops to Kennington.

I believe the status and play value of Station stations is to be discussed at the spring conference, LlynTegid. Will you be there? All pigs will be tethered and will not break free.

Stockwell

Oh it has to be Great Portland Street. Can't see any other move that doesn't put us close to knockings.

Spring conference is a no-no for me, might engage with neighbours of those I am visiting, who understand the game of games.

Baker Street

Bear with me

Paddington

Good grief, Maud. Please don’t try anything like that at the Spring Conference. There will be those who take the Game extremely seriously and don’t appreciate such levity. You could be sent to Coventry, if not Nidd.

On a more serious note, Tower Hill

I really don’t know what you mean <<whistles innocently>>

Holland Park

Ah that gives me a lot of scope Maud I think the most judicious move would be to Finchley Road!

So many Finchleys, so little time. I’m feeling mellow, after a most convivial Sunday lunch with the Archduke, Mother Superior and the principal trombonist, so shall attempt a very languid demi-shift to

Chalk Farm

Heavens, I've missed a lot! I do apologise; much of my last few days has been taken up with a minor crisis at the backgammon club. I think all is calm on that front now, although if anyone here is acquainted with the Tiplington-Fromes and I say 'Neville' you will understand.

But without any further ado, Preston Road, with a marginal Echt.

Oh. The Tiplington-Fromes. Things got very...difficult, after the incident. I would say more but frankly I've been trying to forget for the last few years. The waters of Lethe have never been more needed...

High Street Kensington

Indeed, Muse, no one quite saw it coming back to haunt us all this weekend nor wanted a reminder. The scullery maid in particular hasn't been quite the same since. Neither has the parrot, for that matter.
Drawing a veil:
A double skim-step to Latimer Road

I’ve been feeling much stronger recently, but mention of that, ahem, matter concerning the Tiplington-Fromes has quite set me back. I have retired with the smelling salts and a schooner of absinthe to the chaise longue, whence all I can muster is a transept to

South Kenton

The northern end of the Bakerloo line has caused many issues over the years, especially during the period where it did not exist and the closed line rule had to be played.

Stonebridge Park

Oh golly, that really puts the cat among the proverbial pigeons, I think we need to concentrate on the really finer points of the game of games and I would tentatively suggest Wembley Park

Apologies for bringing back difficult memories.

Looking forward instead, the new convenor at the mini-conference in St Leonards on Sea last week had a fascinating insight into some fresh thinking about a series of moves that she is calling New Half-Binds. They're very straightforward – once, of course, you've grasped the Okoku Principle, but I know none of us here would find that in the least daunting.

Inspired by this, I'm taking us to Southgate (the Bind in this case is, obviously, with the District Line eastbound).

Hmm. I was not impressed with the convenor. She’s only been playing the game of games for fifteen years, so still technically a beginner, and she wouldn't have got the job if she wasn’t such a close friend of the Duchess of Frimley, so I’m ignoring her crackpot suggestions.

Putney Bridge

I can't disagree, Maud, that the Duchess's influence does cast a bit of a shadow. I'm old enough to remember that autumn recess in Grimsby and the little problem involving the chauffeur and some damaged Wedgwood.
But that (lovely) move of your wouldn't have made half as much sense without the convenor's Half-Binds idea.

Back to basics for me: Northwood Hills.