To my thinking Wimbledon as the culmination of the preceding sequence risks the game being out of huff, indeed possibly into baulk.
In these COVID times, playing safe risks being marked down as cautious, unadventurous, boring even dull but methinks it is the smart way to go.
Gloucester Road
I don’t see that danger at all, but as Kew Gardens was already claimed by @Telemark in #47 I will transit directly to Richmond, from terminus to terminus (still rubbing his hands).
Oh, well in that case, Upminster I say, sir.
I assumed that we were playing the DopeMod expansion set, although this edition is clearly out of date.
I for my part assumed that we had overcome the Istambul Schism, but should Constantinopolis by chance ever come up this could turn out to be truly byzantine.
@Dead_Cat I didn’t see that coming, I must admit. I will Pass this round and walk over to Platform 6 to do some trainspotting pretending nothing has happened.
As I had mentioned before, it was simply a case of dyslexia, but since play has continued unabated since my error, I feel I can invoke the Transposition Rule (Alderney, 1967), and go from Upminster to:
Hackney Downs
Up and Down, Side to Side.
Woodside Park
Time to open things up. Oxford Circus
Oxford Circus - well that does open things up, so many options. Bakerloo, Central, Victoria… We could head north but we’ve spent some time up there already. And west would nearly surely get us back to Heathrow, and no one wants that. To the east lies madness. So, let’s try south.
Perhaps Stockwell will inspire someone?
Stockwell is on the Northern Line, which runs underground and actually serves the southernmost part of the network, despite its name. Therefore, underground stops must be considered an inversion of above-ground routes, and ideally requires passengers to hang upside-down to ensure proper orientation. We don’t want to rile the boys at the London Underground Union do we? Another strike would send us all to pot.
Elephant & Castle
Whoa - Stockwell to Elephant & Castle? Is that how you want to play this? Checking my copy of Ailsa (1972, not the 1979 Revision that frankly was a massive mistake), I think I can claim the National Rail Exception.
Catford
No worries there, I’d be surprised if anyone objected to Ailsa 1972. (Does anyone still use Ailsa 1979? I thought that was binned along with the ill conceived MC playing cards.) It seems the most favored approach to NRE, and the one that eliminates the Blackfriars Conversion.
Since we’re already on Thameslink, let’s jump to the Tram with Coombe Lane, and I call a Monday fare bonus.
As Thameslink has already been opened up, I think I am within my rights to play Brent Cross West under the Construction Exemption Rule that is currently in effect because of Crossrail delays.
There are some misguided fools who still use Ailsa 1979 (Rev). I don’t understand why. If you remember, in that revision, he proposed the Walking Connection Rule. A rule I consider as big a mistake as the Designated Hitter Rule.
Kingsbury
Now thems fightin’ words.
Can’t recall the last time the Stroppy Merkin gambit was played.
There you go!
The esteemed @Cardigan as usual was on the money in endeavouring to open the game up.
Charing Cross
I actually quite like Ailsa '79, but I suppose it does have too many flaws to be considered useful for serious play.
It’s not my turn, but I can cash in 2 withers to play anyway, I think: Putney Bridge.
The Daily Mail says the Harry/Meghan interview is the biggest royal scandal in 85 years. Therefore, it stands to reason that Edward VIII’s Amendment to the New Uniform Rules of 1922 is no longer in effect, and we must instead refer to the Lords’ ruling on the Canadian Question in regards to whether it’s acceptable to switch directions on a Thursday.
As such, the last five moves have all been invalid, and we’re going to have to reset to Charing Cross, from which I elect to proceed onward to Tooting Bec, draw three cards from the community stockpile, and place myself in knip.
Sorry, but I can’t take any analysis seriously that uses The Daily Mail as a source, even if it is like a stopped clock. Nevertheless, your play of Tooting Bec is valid, and I am momentarily at a loss for a response. I’ll pass.
Interesting. If we’re kicking out Edward’s Amendment, where does that leave the Victoria Line Exception? Utter madness. Well, I’ll try to keep to these outlandish constraints.
Sloane Square