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

That takes me back to the days when mysterious rumours of a secret absinthe distillery in the Harrow area were made known to the local excise people. Many ruffled feathers!

West Harrow.

Those rumours came to naught, if I recall correctly. It was a misunderstanding and down to the second clerk's slightly impaired hearing.
However, I once knew a barman at the Criterion, and he understood many things very well. Very well.

West Acton
**

Yes, the barman at the Criterion had a great many very close - one might almost say intimate - friends.

Stamford Brook

There is a large brewery to which the said barman may be familiar, so to reduce the walk to it, let's move to Chiswick Park.

Oh interesting, @LlynTegid! I like the cut of your jib.

I’m taking a dogleg to Kensington (Olympia). It’s a short walk to the beautiful Leighton House. I once went to a party there, possibly a book launch. Marina Warner was in attendance.

I was hoping to be able to use up my Feinberg, but those last couple of (excellent) moves have rather put the kibosh on it for now.
I'll play an integrated circular to Wanstead instead.

Funnily enough, I have been in Wanstead today! I mean that literally, in real life!

Ravenscourt Park. Just because.

Oh Tragic Muse (may I call you Melpomene?), the raven himself is hoarse / That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan /Under my battlements.
But even the Caledonian manoeuvre wouldn't get us to Glamis, would it?
Pimlico.

.

Ooh. How about this?

Victoria

Time to move west- Osterley.

Oh, this is very exciting.

This allows a leftmost Finagle, and I believe I can say

MORNINGTON CRESCENT

How neatly done @LittleBitofBread! An excellent spot in the hurly-burly of play…

You are kind, Muse.
Shall I start another?

Kilburn Park

Well played indeed!

I have been away from The Game for a week or two, so will ease in cautiously with

Mudchute

What an opening!

Pimlico

I am so sorry to have missed that thrilling denouement. Absolutely thrilling. Brava, LittleBitofBread!

I shall take an offside swing to

Oval

You are all sweet.

I cannot resist utilising that corner volta the last move introduced and taking us to

High Street Kensington

Oooh. Nice. Let’s indulge in some more retail therapy (although not like the venerable bishop’s, which led to her being sent down for six months in Holloway for shoplifting) at

Bond Street

That was a scandal and a half, wasn't it? I believe the ex-bishop, on release, went to Malta, was it, and became a ceramicist. Some or other arm of the local media did track her down, but she had friends in Valletta's high (actually one should probably say low) places who… persuaded them to leave her alone.

Anyway!
A Helsinki flop to Debden.

The Bishop was always persuasive, even before she took Holy Orders…

I fancy we are in for another great game on current showing.

Perivale.

You are, naturally, both right. This is a most promising game - already we’ve seen some daring and innovative play - and the game of games does seem to attract more than its share of scandal. Being an innocent and trusting sort, I’ve never understood why.

Totteridge and Whetstone

Totteridge and Whetstone. Dear heaven, I once had to exit that station in the early 90's carrying a scarily large cheque in my handbag.
I will match your ampersand, Maud (if I may), via a Ruy Lopez.

Elephant and Castle.

What was the cheque for, Vaguelyclassical? Oh no! Surely it wasn’t you who was sent as intermediary to pay the ransom, after the dowager duchess was abducted by the provisional wing of the Northern line renegades?

Balham

Joining this new game for the first time and moving to South Wimbledon. No idea about this abduction or ransom.

Possibly best @LlynTegid taps nose

Morden. I know it’s not an obvious move but if appeasement of the Northern Line renegades is required it’s the only sane choice.