A simple model is used to examine how the presence of a continental slope along the western boundary, and wind-driven gyres, especially the Gulf Stream (GS) jet, affect the pathways of water-mass flow and wave propagation in the abyssal ocean. Two types of forcing: an interior source and a boundary inflow (to mimic the Labrador Sea Water and the marginal-sea overflow), are considered here. Both topography and wind-driven gyres considerably alter how the water mass spreads from the source (in the steady state case) and how transient signals propagate to the unforced regions. Sloping bathymetry near the western boundary allows for meridional propagation of topographic waves. The GS jet creates a strong meridional PV gradient which could partially block the southward water-mass transport and wave propagation. The effectiveness of the crossover to disrupt the lower layer response depends on the type of high latitude water mass forcing.