The sport of kings: Mornington Crescent

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Good morning, all. What better way to begin the long weekend than a new game of the ineffable Mornington Crescent? All are welcome - veterans and newbies alike.

To set the tone, I will start with one of my favourite moves - a double shunt to

Kew Gardens

It's been years since I played and I'm a bit rusty. So I'm keeping it safe with a gentle glide to
Richmond
I think that is covered in the 1930 constitution for old gits!

I hate to do this so early on but a trip to Cockfosters.

Goodness me! There’s been some bold and innovative play this afternoon. I believe <<adjusts lorgnette>> we have some new players in our midst, and you are most welcome, although possibly you are old hands travelling incognito - for very good reason if involved in that imbroglio at the exhibition tournament at Claridge’s.

I shall now attempt a longitudinal splice to

Piccadilly Circus

All this blithering has made me feel quite in need of sustenance. A small sherry it is.
And so to Ravenscourt Park. I shall repose.

Surely the only logical way to follow that is Tooting Bec ?

That opens up a very nice glissade to
Stockwell

Which in turn reminds me (if you’ll forgive me, HainaultViaNewburyPark) of the bucolic charms of

Hainault

I love these threads and could happily fall down the rabbit hole……

incoming to elephant & castle

The Bakerloo line comes to the rescue here from what could have been a difficult decision, and so a move to Maida Vale.

There appear to be a few new or returning (after a long time) players in this game, and I extend a welcome to them.

An old favourite but admittedly an easy one. St James’ Park

I remember the tangential apostrophe discourse, and am glad to see Creu’s correct placement.
Tooting Broadway I believe.

Oh, very stylish, Cursula. And how nice to be reminded of such a fascinating discussion. I’ll try to keep standards up with a little pas de chat to Cannon Street.

Think I'm getting back into the swing of things now. I see we have had a glissarde and a pas de chat, so now must be the time for a petit jete to
South Kensington.

Cursula reminds us of a difficult time and what some might refer to as a heated discussion amongst seasoned players.

Onwards move to Harlesden (So-ha)

@Creu it was indeed. But Summer’s lease hath all too short a date so we can leave it at that.
Bank

Sorry, does that that incorporate Monument, or are they separate? I'm so confused about which iteration combines them or not. If I play either of the Ealings am I off the hook? Or disqualified as too obvious? (I prefer to play westbound, I know it's a cop-out).

Gosh, this is getting rather hectic. I'm gently steering us back to Baker Street.

Westbound will rarely let you down, BrickBiscuit, but I fear we must adhere to the rule against intervening without playing a move - the inspectors were quite strict about this on their most recent inspection and one wouldn't want to incur their wrath.

For now

Oval

Well I’m sure none of us were expecting that!

Tentatively- Shepherds Bush

Well you spotted I took a bit of a risk with the inspectors, but I was actually playing a bluff with my faux-uncertainty. And now vindicated:

Eastcote!

The joys of Metroland as it used to be called. There was zero chance of the late John Betjeman being negative in his poetry about anywhere on the Met line, no 'friendly bombs'.

Ruislip Manor

Found you all!

Post-bank holiday I feel a little subpar, so I'm keeping it simple for now.

Clapham Common

Sloane Square

watch the river flow over the platforms

It really feels like the edge of civilisation out here. In an intrepid explorer sort of way.

Queen’s Park.

Keeping with the theme (and staying safe) Holland Park.