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

Ah Tiger Balm. Such fond memories of the little velvet slippers and heavy fug of patchouli from my teenage years. That was when I first discovered the Game of Games, little knowing the pleasure and pains it would bring me in the ensuing <cough> decades.

Knightsbridge.

Emerging from the patchouli and musk haze of yesteryear and invoking the Minimalist Exception to totter towards South Kensington (on a ghostly remembered pair of platform heels).

Oh hurrah, Vaguely, most excellent play. Leaves the field wide open for a single sweep to

Bond Street

Northwards we go to Dollis Hill. Which is nowhere near Dollis Hill.

Oh like Queen’s Park Rangers playing in Shepherd’s Bush @LlynTegid!

Gospel Oak

Utilising the heavy rail link from the Overground network, I am invoking the 1984 Cross-Border Interlace (The Caledonian Transit Addendum). While radical and rarely used, I am pleased to have finally found the day when I can play it.

By running a fast-track signal directly off the North London Line, bypassing the usual Euston bottleneck, and shooting straight up the old inter-city corridors, I am placing the next stop firmly at Bridgeton, from where I can take a stroll to Glasgow Green.

This completely shifts the operational theatre to the classic Glasgow low-level network. The humidity of the Clyde valley immediately puts your Overground tokens into a state of temporary stasis, rendering the standard Hampstead Heath bypass completely invalid.

We are of course temporarily under Caledonian Parallel rules for at least the next two moves.

After perusing the Caledonian Addendum I feel reasonably confident about kicking us along to Ibrox. I trust I am not angering any passionate Celtic fans.

As we’re north of the border we should make time to see Dali’s Christ of St John of the Cross ** at Kelvingrove Art Gallery.

To Kelvinhall, then.

**it is a magnificent painting!

This is the first time I have seen a use of the Glasgow Subway rule. Which I need to use a second time to get back to London, and end up in Bushey.

I've come over all Jacobitish after our Scottish diversion..Cam ye o'er frae France? Cam ye down by Lunnon? I guess I just came down by London's Wembley Central.

As you may know, the Circle line was utter hell yesterday. But still, one can’t resist the lure of Peter Jones…

Sloane Square.

The lure of Peter Jones is no surprise, though never the subject of a play at the nearby Royal Court Theatre.

I move westwards to Turnham Green.

Delightful. I’m in sombre mood (somewhat morning after the night before, following the Brigadier’s come as you are canasta and tequila party last night) so will head for

Blackfriars

I do wish the Brigadier would offer a good gin option. Much less fraught for the aging metabolism! Edging things stage left (or do I mean right?) to Southwark.

The last time the Brigadier offered gin, it lubricated the conversation to the extent that there were opinions aired about the Morecambe Bay Long Weekend of 2018, and the decision there to ratify the Haussmann's Furlong move. Which, if anyone remembers, was not an event and a decision without friction.

Chancery Lane

Oh gosh. I do remember that. The Brigadier and the lady cellist haven’t spoken since. A digital slide to

Temple

One really doesn't want to be in the vicinity of cellists double stopping alla furioso.
Lazily to Westminster. Does anybody remember the scandalous argument about the Parallax Rule between the Vicereine and the Archbishop in the Peers' Dining Room?

The Vicereine has some strong views, forcefully held…still, I do admire the tenacity and commitment to, well, let us call it vigorous debate, though as a hobby I do feel it’s not on a par with the crewel-work so beloved of Madame…

Westminster say you? Well then surely one has to counter with Bethnal Green (Central Line)

All I can say to that @TragicMuse is Barbican

Crewel work? I find it hard to believe that Madame has the time, what with the marquetry, the stamp collecting and coaching the bass section of the male voice choir.

Aldgate East