From 90b834c65246ebb46b587ae28b3314e761c10a8a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2025 19:37:52 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 01/14] Add script for new example recreating monorail map in
 The Simpsons

---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 114 ++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 114 insertions(+)
 create mode 100644 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b6b6fc87a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+import matplotlib.patches as mpatches
+import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
+from matplotlib.transforms import offset_copy
+
+import shapely.geometry as sgeom
+
+import cartopy
+import cartopy.crs as ccrs
+import cartopy.io.shapereader as shpreader
+import cartopy.feature as cfeature
+
+
+# Define choices for projection and locations to plot
+GEOM_PROJ = ccrs.PlateCarree()
+# Not real places, so locations pulled from location on map in still image
+# First value 2-tuple is the dot placemap location, second is where to write
+# the text label relative to that dot, to best match the map from the show.
+LOCATIONS_TO_PLOT = {
+    "Ogdenville": [(-111.8, 35.5), (1.5, -2.2), -6],
+    "North\nHaverbrook": [(-99.0, 43.5), (2.8, -0.5), -1],
+    "Brockway": [(-80.4, 33.6), (-3.4, -1.5), 3],
+}
+
+
+def main():
+    # Set up a plot with a thin light blue/white border to make the map inside
+    #     Note: for proportions of land mass, font size and border to be as
+    #     intended, need to keep 'figsize' and 'dpi' (4:3 ratio) as below.
+    fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(9, 7.5), dpi=125, facecolor="white")
+    ax.set_facecolor("#AFCBBD")
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(
+        111, projection=ccrs.LambertConformal(), frameon=False)
+    plt.setp(plt.gcf().get_axes(), xticks=[], yticks=[])  # no axes or labels
+    ax.set_extent([-120, -72.5, 20, 50], crs=ccrs.Geodetic())  # center on USA
+
+    # Plot only the USA landmass, in a fawn colour with a thin black border
+    shpfilename = shpreader.natural_earth(
+        resolution="110m", category="cultural", name="admin_0_countries"
+    )
+    countries = shpreader.Reader(shpfilename).records()
+    usa_border = [
+        country.geometry for country in countries
+        if (country.attributes["NAME"] == "United States of America")
+    ]
+    ax.add_geometries(
+        usa_border,
+        GEOM_PROJ,
+        facecolor="#C39B6A",
+        edgecolor="black",
+    )
+
+    # From/see example:
+    # https://scitools.org.uk/cartopy/docs/latest/gallery/
+    # scalar_data/eyja_volcano.html
+    # Now add the location labels
+    #
+    # Use the cartopy interface to create a matplotlib transform object
+    # for the Geodetic coordinate system. We will use this along with
+    # matplotlib's offset_copy function to define a coordinate system which
+    # translates the text by 25 pixels to the left.
+    geodetic_transform = GEOM_PROJ._as_mpl_transform(ax)
+    text_transform = offset_copy(geodetic_transform, units="dots", x=-25)
+    for loc_name, loc_details in LOCATIONS_TO_PLOT.items():
+        loc_coords, rel_text_pos, text_rot = loc_details
+        ax.plot(
+            *loc_coords,
+            marker="o",
+            color="black",
+            markersize=6,
+            transform=GEOM_PROJ,
+        )
+
+        # Adjust position of location name text relative to location marker
+        text_loc_coords = (
+            loc_coords[0] + rel_text_pos[0],
+            loc_coords[1] + rel_text_pos[1],
+        )
+        # Text in uppercase, very bold handwriting-like font, as per the
+        # screengrab
+        ax.text(
+            *text_loc_coords,
+            loc_name.upper(),
+            verticalalignment="center",
+            horizontalalignment="left",
+            transform=text_transform,
+            fontname="Charcoal",  # ensure you have this font available
+            fontweight="black",
+            fontsize=28,
+            rotation=text_rot,  # slightly wonky text for handwritten effect
+        )
+
+
+    leg_text = (
+        "Pre-Springfield Lanley\nMonorail locations in TV's\nThe Simpsons\n"
+        "(recreation of map at\nsimpsons.fandom.com/\nwiki/Brockway)"
+    )
+
+    # Add the 'compass' legend
+    ax.text(
+        0.14, 0.10, leg_text, transform=ax.transAxes, fontsize=11,
+        horizontalalignment="center",
+        verticalalignment="center", style="italic",
+        bbox=dict(facecolor="#A5B5CE"),
+    )
+
+    # Make border symmetrical since default 'rc' file has asymmetric side pad
+    fig.tight_layout()
+    fig.subplots_adjust(left=0.035, bottom=0.035, right=0.965, top=0.965)
+    plt.show()
+    fig.savefig("monorail_map.png")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

From 0dd1e49302e08fd068805899c8a4c5fcb1e7ce03 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2025 19:39:37 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 02/14] Lint Monorail Map example w/ black & remove unused
 imports

---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 21 +++++++++----------
 1 file changed, 10 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-)

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
index b6b6fc87a..0589b09c8 100644
--- a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -1,13 +1,8 @@
-import matplotlib.patches as mpatches
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 from matplotlib.transforms import offset_copy
 
-import shapely.geometry as sgeom
-
-import cartopy
 import cartopy.crs as ccrs
 import cartopy.io.shapereader as shpreader
-import cartopy.feature as cfeature
 
 
 # Define choices for projection and locations to plot
@@ -28,8 +23,7 @@ def main():
     #     intended, need to keep 'figsize' and 'dpi' (4:3 ratio) as below.
     fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(9, 7.5), dpi=125, facecolor="white")
     ax.set_facecolor("#AFCBBD")
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(
-        111, projection=ccrs.LambertConformal(), frameon=False)
+    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection=ccrs.LambertConformal(), frameon=False)
     plt.setp(plt.gcf().get_axes(), xticks=[], yticks=[])  # no axes or labels
     ax.set_extent([-120, -72.5, 20, 50], crs=ccrs.Geodetic())  # center on USA
 
@@ -39,7 +33,8 @@ def main():
     )
     countries = shpreader.Reader(shpfilename).records()
     usa_border = [
-        country.geometry for country in countries
+        country.geometry
+        for country in countries
         if (country.attributes["NAME"] == "United States of America")
     ]
     ax.add_geometries(
@@ -89,7 +84,6 @@ def main():
             rotation=text_rot,  # slightly wonky text for handwritten effect
         )
 
-
     leg_text = (
         "Pre-Springfield Lanley\nMonorail locations in TV's\nThe Simpsons\n"
         "(recreation of map at\nsimpsons.fandom.com/\nwiki/Brockway)"
@@ -97,9 +91,14 @@ def main():
 
     # Add the 'compass' legend
     ax.text(
-        0.14, 0.10, leg_text, transform=ax.transAxes, fontsize=11,
+        0.14,
+        0.10,
+        leg_text,
+        transform=ax.transAxes,
+        fontsize=11,
         horizontalalignment="center",
-        verticalalignment="center", style="italic",
+        verticalalignment="center",
+        style="italic",
         bbox=dict(facecolor="#A5B5CE"),
     )
 

From 4e0822467160046ea866179068ccc377de6810aa Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2025 20:14:21 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 03/14] Add module docstring to summarise Monorail Map example

---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 20 ++++++++++++++++++-
 1 file changed, 19 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
index 0589b09c8..03fd4b657 100644
--- a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -1,3 +1,21 @@
+"""
+Recreation of the Monorail Map from The Simpsons
+------------------------------------------------
+
+This example demonstrates how to create a minimal outline map of a
+defined area of land such as a continent, with optional labels at
+specified locations within the region, in the form of a recreation of the
+Monorail Map from The Simpsons with humorously oversized labelling (to
+imitate handwriting/scribbles) and sparsity of marked locations
+(which are all fictional).
+
+Specifically, it aims to recreate to best likeness using Cartopy
+the map of pre-Springfield Lyle Lanley Monorail locations from the
+iconic episode 'Marge vs. the Monorail' (1993) of the TV Series, as
+taken in likeness from the screen grab available at:
+https://simpsons.fandom.com/wiki/Brockway.
+
+"""
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 from matplotlib.transforms import offset_copy
 
@@ -71,7 +89,7 @@ def main():
             loc_coords[1] + rel_text_pos[1],
         )
         # Text in uppercase, very bold handwriting-like font, as per the
-        # screengrab
+        # screen grab of the map from the show
         ax.text(
             *text_loc_coords,
             loc_name.upper(),

From be4f92755c124ad9f3f3b211930e9ddb5f9b62ea Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2025 18:10:25 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 04/14] Update examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py

Co-authored-by: Greg Lucas <greg.m.lucas@gmail.com>
---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 1 -
 1 file changed, 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
index 03fd4b657..823a61967 100644
--- a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -124,7 +124,6 @@ def main():
     fig.tight_layout()
     fig.subplots_adjust(left=0.035, bottom=0.035, right=0.965, top=0.965)
     plt.show()
-    fig.savefig("monorail_map.png")
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":

From 05f29a598e2444d3a7029b3f0d2ba0932c0e5b72 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2025 12:14:57 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 05/14] Address feedback: better figure, axes use in Monorail
 Map example

---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 29 ++++++++++---------
 1 file changed, 15 insertions(+), 14 deletions(-)

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
index 823a61967..043b19e31 100644
--- a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 https://simpsons.fandom.com/wiki/Brockway.
 
 """
+
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
 from matplotlib.transforms import offset_copy
 
@@ -39,11 +40,14 @@ def main():
     # Set up a plot with a thin light blue/white border to make the map inside
     #     Note: for proportions of land mass, font size and border to be as
     #     intended, need to keep 'figsize' and 'dpi' (4:3 ratio) as below.
-    fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(9, 7.5), dpi=125, facecolor="white")
-    ax.set_facecolor("#AFCBBD")
-    ax = fig.add_subplot(111, projection=ccrs.LambertConformal(), frameon=False)
-    plt.setp(plt.gcf().get_axes(), xticks=[], yticks=[])  # no axes or labels
-    ax.set_extent([-120, -72.5, 20, 50], crs=ccrs.Geodetic())  # center on USA
+    fig = plt.figure(figsize=(9, 7.5), dpi=125, facecolor="#AFCBBD")
+    map_ax = fig.add_axes(
+        [0.035, 0.035, 0.93, 0.93], projection=ccrs.LambertConformal(), frameon=False
+    )
+
+    # Remove all axes ticks and labelling and center on location of USA
+    plt.setp(map_ax, xticks=[], yticks=[])
+    map_ax.set_extent([-120, -72.5, 20, 50], crs=ccrs.Geodetic())
 
     # Plot only the USA landmass, in a fawn colour with a thin black border
     shpfilename = shpreader.natural_earth(
@@ -55,7 +59,7 @@ def main():
         for country in countries
         if (country.attributes["NAME"] == "United States of America")
     ]
-    ax.add_geometries(
+    map_ax.add_geometries(
         usa_border,
         GEOM_PROJ,
         facecolor="#C39B6A",
@@ -71,11 +75,11 @@ def main():
     # for the Geodetic coordinate system. We will use this along with
     # matplotlib's offset_copy function to define a coordinate system which
     # translates the text by 25 pixels to the left.
-    geodetic_transform = GEOM_PROJ._as_mpl_transform(ax)
+    geodetic_transform = GEOM_PROJ._as_mpl_transform(map_ax)
     text_transform = offset_copy(geodetic_transform, units="dots", x=-25)
     for loc_name, loc_details in LOCATIONS_TO_PLOT.items():
         loc_coords, rel_text_pos, text_rot = loc_details
-        ax.plot(
+        map_ax.plot(
             *loc_coords,
             marker="o",
             color="black",
@@ -90,7 +94,7 @@ def main():
         )
         # Text in uppercase, very bold handwriting-like font, as per the
         # screen grab of the map from the show
-        ax.text(
+        map_ax.text(
             *text_loc_coords,
             loc_name.upper(),
             verticalalignment="center",
@@ -108,11 +112,11 @@ def main():
     )
 
     # Add the 'compass' legend
-    ax.text(
+    map_ax.text(
         0.14,
         0.10,
         leg_text,
-        transform=ax.transAxes,
+        transform=map_ax.transAxes,
         fontsize=11,
         horizontalalignment="center",
         verticalalignment="center",
@@ -120,9 +124,6 @@ def main():
         bbox=dict(facecolor="#A5B5CE"),
     )
 
-    # Make border symmetrical since default 'rc' file has asymmetric side pad
-    fig.tight_layout()
-    fig.subplots_adjust(left=0.035, bottom=0.035, right=0.965, top=0.965)
     plt.show()
 
 

From 5ba69508ac1f59bb56e8ae191d870deaab75bb5b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2025 12:43:28 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 06/14] Monorail map example: add border using figure edge +
 tidy comments

---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 25 +++++++++++--------
 1 file changed, 15 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
index 043b19e31..0283aca5d 100644
--- a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 
 import cartopy.crs as ccrs
 import cartopy.io.shapereader as shpreader
+from matplotlib.patches import Rectangle
 
 
 # Define choices for projection and locations to plot
@@ -37,10 +38,16 @@
 
 
 def main():
-    # Set up a plot with a thin light blue/white border to make the map inside
-    #     Note: for proportions of land mass, font size and border to be as
-    #     intended, need to keep 'figsize' and 'dpi' (4:3 ratio) as below.
-    fig = plt.figure(figsize=(9, 7.5), dpi=125, facecolor="#AFCBBD")
+    # Set up a plot with a light blue background and a white overall border.
+    # For proportions of land mass, font size and border to be as
+    # intended, need to keep 'figsize' and 'dpi' (4:3 ratio) as below.
+    fig = plt.figure(
+        figsize=(9, 7.5),
+        dpi=125,
+        facecolor="#AFCBBD",
+        edgecolor="white",  # sets up white border without need for another axes
+        linewidth=30,  # makes the border thicker as per original map
+    )
     map_ax = fig.add_axes(
         [0.035, 0.035, 0.93, 0.93], projection=ccrs.LambertConformal(), frameon=False
     )
@@ -66,10 +73,8 @@ def main():
         edgecolor="black",
     )
 
-    # From/see example:
-    # https://scitools.org.uk/cartopy/docs/latest/gallery/
-    # scalar_data/eyja_volcano.html
-    # Now add the location labels
+    # Now add the location labels. The general approach is that covered in
+    # the 'Map tile acquisition' Catopy example, including the comment below.
     #
     # Use the cartopy interface to create a matplotlib transform object
     # for the Geodetic coordinate system. We will use this along with
@@ -111,10 +116,10 @@ def main():
         "(recreation of map at\nsimpsons.fandom.com/\nwiki/Brockway)"
     )
 
-    # Add the 'compass' legend
+    # Add the bottom left 'compass' legend in spirit of the original map.
     map_ax.text(
         0.14,
-        0.10,
+        0.0,
         leg_text,
         transform=map_ax.transAxes,
         fontsize=11,

From dfd5542fb1a66f59ff18e2f1e51c901bf3f3b23d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2025 12:57:08 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 07/14] Monorail map example: use ax not setp object to hide
 axes & labels

Co-authored-by: Greg Lucas <greg.m.lucas@gmail.com>
---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
index 0283aca5d..094c27034 100644
--- a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ def main():
     )
 
     # Remove all axes ticks and labelling and center on location of USA
-    plt.setp(map_ax, xticks=[], yticks=[])
+    map_ax.set(xticks=[], yticks=[])
     map_ax.set_extent([-120, -72.5, 20, 50], crs=ccrs.Geodetic())
 
     # Plot only the USA landmass, in a fawn colour with a thin black border

From 701ca1572c7f20f1305fda06d2658ce4ceed7515 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2025 15:08:13 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 08/14] Monorail map example: remove redundant call to turn off
 axes ticks

---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 3 +--
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
index 094c27034..4a64e81dd 100644
--- a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -52,8 +52,7 @@ def main():
         [0.035, 0.035, 0.93, 0.93], projection=ccrs.LambertConformal(), frameon=False
     )
 
-    # Remove all axes ticks and labelling and center on location of USA
-    map_ax.set(xticks=[], yticks=[])
+    # Center on location of USA with a bit of space on all sides to pad
     map_ax.set_extent([-120, -72.5, 20, 50], crs=ccrs.Geodetic())
 
     # Plot only the USA landmass, in a fawn colour with a thin black border

From 1468b5ca0f4cf968d02c360b0d146f294146fbba Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2025 13:33:03 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 09/14] Use annotate to avoid internal method in new example,
 following #2596

---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 18 ++++++------------
 1 file changed, 6 insertions(+), 12 deletions(-)

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
index 4a64e81dd..5263f9982 100644
--- a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -72,15 +72,7 @@ def main():
         edgecolor="black",
     )
 
-    # Now add the location labels. The general approach is that covered in
-    # the 'Map tile acquisition' Catopy example, including the comment below.
-    #
-    # Use the cartopy interface to create a matplotlib transform object
-    # for the Geodetic coordinate system. We will use this along with
-    # matplotlib's offset_copy function to define a coordinate system which
-    # translates the text by 25 pixels to the left.
-    geodetic_transform = GEOM_PROJ._as_mpl_transform(map_ax)
-    text_transform = offset_copy(geodetic_transform, units="dots", x=-25)
+    # Now add the location labels one by one
     for loc_name, loc_details in LOCATIONS_TO_PLOT.items():
         loc_coords, rel_text_pos, text_rot = loc_details
         map_ax.plot(
@@ -98,12 +90,14 @@ def main():
         )
         # Text in uppercase, very bold handwriting-like font, as per the
         # screen grab of the map from the show
-        map_ax.text(
-            *text_loc_coords,
+        map_ax.annotate(
             loc_name.upper(),
+            xy=text_loc_coords,
+            transform=ccrs.Geodetic(),
+            xytext=(-25, 0),  # shift text closer to point as per reference
+            textcoords="offset pixels",
             verticalalignment="center",
             horizontalalignment="left",
-            transform=text_transform,
             fontname="Charcoal",  # ensure you have this font available
             fontweight="black",
             fontsize=28,

From 0f018e624c5df9d49f58e1c6fe170fbfbb8b7405 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2025 13:39:29 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 10/14] Monorail map example: adjust legend-like box given
 altered dimensions

---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
index 5263f9982..246ba15e2 100644
--- a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ def main():
     # Add the bottom left 'compass' legend in spirit of the original map.
     map_ax.text(
         0.14,
-        0.0,
+        0.10,
         leg_text,
         transform=map_ax.transAxes,
         fontsize=11,

From 0479aac5385f5ef5ac7783120a6d3c94d048b28c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2025 11:47:52 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 11/14] Monorail map example: remove now unused imports

---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 2 --
 1 file changed, 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
index 246ba15e2..e98f5857f 100644
--- a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -18,11 +18,9 @@
 """
 
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
-from matplotlib.transforms import offset_copy
 
 import cartopy.crs as ccrs
 import cartopy.io.shapereader as shpreader
-from matplotlib.patches import Rectangle
 
 
 # Define choices for projection and locations to plot

From 6dac22686d1ecaee830599e75d9a88af02d1da4c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2025 11:57:13 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 12/14] Monorail map example: improve comment describing
 locations dictionary

---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 8 +++++---
 1 file changed, 5 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
index e98f5857f..a57d48ad0 100644
--- a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -25,9 +25,11 @@
 
 # Define choices for projection and locations to plot
 GEOM_PROJ = ccrs.PlateCarree()
-# Not real places, so locations pulled from location on map in still image
-# First value 2-tuple is the dot placemap location, second is where to write
-# the text label relative to that dot, to best match the map from the show.
+# Not real places, so locations pulled from location on map in still image.
+# The items in order correspond to:
+# * an x-y 2-tuple for where to plot the location dot on the map
+# * an x-y 2-tuple for where to write the text label relative to the dot above
+# * an integer for how much to rotate the text to best match the map text.
 LOCATIONS_TO_PLOT = {
     "Ogdenville": [(-111.8, 35.5), (1.5, -2.2), -6],
     "North\nHaverbrook": [(-99.0, 43.5), (2.8, -0.5), -1],

From 51631edc3ad19b386db2a27bb5bc57e3044ffd6d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2025 09:37:46 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 13/14] Monorail map example: use points not degrees as per
 code feedback

---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 19 ++++++++-----------
 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-)

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
index a57d48ad0..b58223057 100644
--- a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -27,13 +27,14 @@
 GEOM_PROJ = ccrs.PlateCarree()
 # Not real places, so locations pulled from location on map in still image.
 # The items in order correspond to:
-# * an x-y 2-tuple for where to plot the location dot on the map
+# * an x-y 2-tuple for where to plot the location dot on the map;
 # * an x-y 2-tuple for where to write the text label relative to the dot above
+#   with units of points;
 # * an integer for how much to rotate the text to best match the map text.
 LOCATIONS_TO_PLOT = {
-    "Ogdenville": [(-111.8, 35.5), (1.5, -2.2), -6],
-    "North\nHaverbrook": [(-99.0, 43.5), (2.8, -0.5), -1],
-    "Brockway": [(-80.4, 33.6), (-3.4, -1.5), 3],
+    "Ogdenville": [(-111.8, 35.5), (-10.0, -50.0), -6],
+    "North\nHaverbrook": [(-99.0, 43.5), (15.0, -15.0), -1],
+    "Brockway": [(-80.4, 33.6), (-100.0, -40.0), 3],
 }
 
 
@@ -83,18 +84,13 @@ def main():
             transform=GEOM_PROJ,
         )
 
-        # Adjust position of location name text relative to location marker
-        text_loc_coords = (
-            loc_coords[0] + rel_text_pos[0],
-            loc_coords[1] + rel_text_pos[1],
-        )
         # Text in uppercase, very bold handwriting-like font, as per the
         # screen grab of the map from the show
         map_ax.annotate(
             loc_name.upper(),
-            xy=text_loc_coords,
+            xy=loc_coords,
             transform=ccrs.Geodetic(),
-            xytext=(-25, 0),  # shift text closer to point as per reference
+            xytext=rel_text_pos,  # shift text relative to marker as in map
             textcoords="offset pixels",
             verticalalignment="center",
             horizontalalignment="left",
@@ -123,6 +119,7 @@ def main():
     )
 
     plt.show()
+    fig.savefig("monorail-dec-new.png")  # SLB: REMOVE BEFORE COMMITTING
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":

From b89e7af5189da93e8eab4c2bb6d7633917ee8201 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "Sadie L. Bartholomew" <sadie.bartholomew@ncas.ac.uk>
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2025 09:46:56 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 14/14] Monorail map example: adjust figure size & anchored
 legend position

---
 examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py | 7 +++----
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
index b58223057..ea651f038 100644
--- a/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
+++ b/examples/miscellanea/simpsons-monorail-map.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def main():
     # For proportions of land mass, font size and border to be as
     # intended, need to keep 'figsize' and 'dpi' (4:3 ratio) as below.
     fig = plt.figure(
-        figsize=(9, 7.5),
+        figsize=(8., 6.5),
         dpi=125,
         facecolor="#AFCBBD",
         edgecolor="white",  # sets up white border without need for another axes
@@ -107,8 +107,8 @@ def main():
 
     # Add the bottom left 'compass' legend in spirit of the original map.
     map_ax.text(
-        0.14,
-        0.10,
+        0.15,
+        0.02,
         leg_text,
         transform=map_ax.transAxes,
         fontsize=11,
@@ -119,7 +119,6 @@ def main():
     )
 
     plt.show()
-    fig.savefig("monorail-dec-new.png")  # SLB: REMOVE BEFORE COMMITTING
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":