If it's October it must be Mornington Crescent

[MarkWithaC]

@LlynTegid

@TragicMuse
@DuckonaBike
@Youngersis1
@ComeIntoTheGardenMaud
@VixenMortar
@GaudeteGaudete
@EmmaOvary
@thankyouforthedayz
@HazelBite
@Itisallgoingtobeok
@Useyourname

Although of course MC is a game for all seasons, I do have especially fond memories of an October championships in Wales and extracurricular… fun amid the greenery of a National Trust garden.

If I've missed anyone I do apologise; do round up any players you happen to see or hear of.

And I'll start with a lovely little move that the Reverend taught me.
Finsbury Park

I don't think I have ever played the game of games with the Brigadier. Or does he use a nom de plume from time to time?

Use of the Cardinal's rules in Lent, very creative. I shall not use them but shall move to Goldhawk Road.

You may have noticed, LlynTegid, that the Brigadier and the opera singer famed for her touching rendition of Tosca are never seen at the same tournaments. I shall say no more than that.

Perivale

That particular opera singer was definitely not in Singapore either…
Gants Hill (with a Fleischmann's Reverse, naturally).

Naturally!

Onwards to Pinner

QED, Mark old sport, QED.

Waterloo

Lovely play, both! I'm going to try a Further Third:
Upminster

I am reassured about the comments about the Brigadier that I was on the right lines.

Upminster Bridge

Oh, it's so rare that one gets to do this, but I do believe that move puts us at 90-degree aptitude, so I can say

Willesden Green

A rare treat Marc! Lucky you to get the chance - I’ve only done it twice ever and the last time was the regionals of Swanage ‘76. They outlawed regionals after that session for…reasons. Delicacy prevents but, as the kids say, IYKYK.

Euston Square

Time to go west and end up at Latimer Road.

I've been away for a while - apparently stealing people's husband's, but really teaching my friend to walk again - funny how online comments translate isn't it!

Anyway, after a shocker of a month or so and a shocker of a day today that is making me hardily consider chucking in my notice... I will slide to the soothing balm that is... Canada Water. Spa-ish? (I've been there, it's not).

Oh smooth @Arlanymor very smooth!

Although, that photograph was clearly taken from a clever angle, I didn’t know you could do that with a leg…

Totteridge & Whetstone

Thank you, you are a total love.

How delightful to see you again, Arlanymor. I am sorry to hear that you are being assailed by that tedious business known <<hoicks ample bosom and adjusts pince-nez>> as real life. I suggest that you follow the example of the Colonel, other like-minded persons and me, and devote yourself full time to the game of games.

Ongar

Ongar and upwards my love, ongar and upwards...

Per ardua ad Vauxhall astra, as the used car salesman is so fond of saying.

Leicester Square

If that's the salesman I'm thinking of, he plays a very nice lateral.
Leyton, invoking Schwartzmann.

Yes, he has very many talents, which is no doubt why the lady bassoonist is there every week for, she claims, a test drive.

Grange Hill

Further around the Central line loop to Newbury Park. Without a musical accompaniment.

Oooh it’s hotting up!

White City

Indeed, Gertrude, I've never known anyone try out so many cars but never buy one.

Muse, I know, I had to sit down for a bit after that Newbury Park gambit. I'm going to play a nice safe demi-node to Acton Central.

I’m feeling a little frisky, so

Stamford Brook

I know there was an attempt at the 1981 tournament to introduce a rule that you could not make two moves in a day that involved any station above ground level, after someone invoked the pre 1933 station rule and played Verney Junction. Someone falsely accused the then Poet Laureate and fine player of the game of games as having put someone up to this. Sense prevailed.

South Acton

I wasn't there in 1981, but the story (if you listen to the vintner, anyway) is that fisticuffs were involved. She doesn't know – or isn't saying – who prevailed, although other sources have intimated that the then Poet Laureate was surprisingly handy.

Anyway, it's a double-locked hawkeye to Kilburn Park for me.

This is thrilling play! One could be quite dizzy with the speed and excitement.

West Kensington