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's very kind, @TragicMuse, but the standard of play on this thread is very high.

Would a Cooper's Spin take us to Stratford?

Indeed it would, Baital. And now that the sun is over the yard arm, I’m going to venture on a Wakelin’s Reach to Walthamstow Central. Cheers!

I see that some players <<adjusts pince-nez>> have entered into, or have perhaps partaken to excess of, the weekend spirit. It puts me in mind of the tournament in Gstaad in ‘72, when the Colonel broke his collarbone in circumstances of which it’s better not to speak. But you know me. I’m not one to gossip, so I shall let sleeping dogs lie. Onwards to

Finchley Central

Shhhh Maud. We promised we’d never breathe a word…

The Equerry was never the same again.

Russell Square

Are we using the Sherington variation or not? If so, then I think I can play Morden at this point. If not, then I’ll have to rethink.

The famous (infamous?) Gstaad incident...

I suggest a Spatz twist - informally called a pretzel - to Hainault. Given it is now officially autumn.

Are physical injuries common? If so, I'd better make use of the Schuman Clause (3ii) to take me to Warren Street.

Playing it safe Punks!

I’d like to throw in a cheeky yet legal move under the Thameslink* *Reversal with Bakerloo Override (2023 amendment).

Stanmore

sharp intake of breath

Steady on @BananaPeels that is legal, but is it wise?

I feel inexorably drawn to Monument. That should get us unstuck.

Hmm. Not many options left to me now, so let’s see what happens if I deploy a lateral single to

Clapham South

Safe choice Maud.

And en passent to Balham...

Physical injuries are rare, to answer Punks’ question, but not unheard of. There was that unfortunate incident at a friendly in Weymouth only last year. I do think the bartender overreacted, actually.

Forest Hill

Well, I suppose the arms are fair, when the intent of bearing of them is just to quote Shakespeare @DuckonaBike

Which takes me (by means of a Double Herring) to Blackfriars.

Yes, DuckOnABike, that bartender has always been, shall we say, volatile although undeniably there was a great deal of provocation. The contessa was barred from the next three contests. Let’s be bold:

Shepherd’s Bush Market

The Contessa has always been…spirited.

Encore l’audace!

Dollis Hill

Good heavens, what has been in the water this weekend? The play here is out of this world – and I was lucky enough to be able to attend an exhibition match in Ludlow featuring some of our international friends and, I have to say, standards in the north-west corner of Austria in particular, not to mention that cradle of civilisation Greece, are absolutely stellar at the moment too.
Things did become perhaps slightly less sophisticated when we adjourned to a local local hostel for post-exhibition wind-down drinks, but that is often the case when the Spanish ambassador is present, I find.

In any case, it's a new dawn and a new week, and I am going to take a seconded Arlington to Bow Church.

You went to Ludlow, LittleBitofBread? In my day, that match used to be notorious for the crowd it attracted - exhibition by name, exhibitionist by nature. I made my excuses and left.

Willesden Green

Things are rather different in Ludlow these days, Maud, ever since about 2018 and the new broom of the retired gentleman usher. It is really only the post-exhibition socialising that is still fairly lively, and, as I say, that is often largely down to dear José and whatever gifts he's brought from duty free.
Theydon Bois, using – appropriately – a Galician Exception.

The east end of the Central line, so often the place no new player wants to be.

With the aid of the bus replacement rule I move to Ilford.

This week’s strike action is going to make for some interesting play I am sure. It’s bound to ruin plenty of strategic moves, much like the infamous Holborn Incident of 1961.

After careful consideration, and via a slightly tenuous interpretation of the Dankworth Gambit, I alight at Tooting Broadway

A spanner in the works indeed @CaveMum! I think that I can just about move to Clapham Junction using a Hamberley's Wink (1993 ammendment), given that the strike is planned for more than 72 hours, although I'm sure that the more experienced players will be able to correct me if this doesn't apply here.

Hmm. That’s a very questionable move, but I’ve just had my customary crème de menthe and absinthe nightcap, so I’m willing to overlook it. You can thank me later.

Canning Town

Most generous spirited Maud.

I hope the arms of Morpheus were restorative…

I recall His Eminence went through a phase of being very partial to Hamberley’s Wink, he chucked them in willy-nilly. Always tricky trying to get him not to change direction on Holy Days of Obligation. The Assumption was always a particularly tough gig for junior members of the Deaconate.

Happy days!

Bethnal Green.

Thank you @Maud, very generous 🤗

I must go and rummage in the loft at some point, as Granny's trunks are still up there. I know that she left records of some her most challenging games and I think that there were some photo albums too.

That doesn't surprise me @TragicMuse, in my experience the clergy can be quite over-excitable in certain circumstances.

Lambeth North