We Tube Challengers have all sorts of different approaches to doing our peculiar hobby. Whilst some like to just get on and do it, for others, the challenge may be a more reflective, perhaps even spiritual experience. To illustrate what I mean, take a look at this poem wot I ’ave writed:
- Disgruntled chap in warehouse in North London,
Juggling routes, with cold rage. Down in Zone One...
...Geoff starts, you and I chill out by the golf course.
It’s a fine way to remember a Greek character – taking a little time out!
Though Rob, losing time, striking hard, disturbing the town...
...begins the exercise, moving platforms languidly, enquiring where there may be a good service.
He’s in church, before a thousand common Tube Challengers start!
The spirit within him, he sang elegantly as a child, and...
...still, he’ll aim to patronize a place where the services are – less ‘regular’.
To the north-east, there’s an atmosphere in the midst of failure,
(It’s not in the south-west there’s shame at being beaten).
To the north, playing cello, Andi...
...sprints with envy, near to the palace.
But in the centre, with quiet longing to return east of the capital,
I limp about, half-cold, near the river.
Perhaps the meaning is a little obscure. Okay, very obscure... I don’t suspect I’ll be a candidate for the next Poet Laureate, but you get the point! And if you haven’t worked it out yet, I’ll explain it.
This fifteen-line ‘epic’ is actually a collection of fifteen cryptic station clues! (Have you ever read through the clues of The Times Crossword one after the other, and thought it sounded rather poetic?) They are all Tube stations, within the 270. As these are full crossword-style clues, it’s been necessary to include pointers to some locations. But I’ve tried to make these as vague as possible, so they’re not too easy. (It’s better than using the word ‘station’ fifteen times...)
PM me your answers when you’re ready – whether one, two or all fifteen.
I’ll not put a deadline on this yet. I think I’ll see how folks get on. Some are easy, some are difficult. If you’re finding them hard, I may give some extra pointers at a later date.
Have fun!
(p.s. If you’re new to cryptic crosswords, beware! They can be very addictive!)