Poppy Cabs

This year’s Poppy Cab badges are here! £5 min donation + £2.80 P&P if order by post email to mike@mikehughes.org.uk They will be in green huts within 2 weeks. Look out for announcements

It’s a year since I started relearning guitar Here’s a video update on my progress

It’s a bit wet in Newgate, Pembrokeshire

@ParkShelter @The_LCDC Karen. Thank you for your support of Poppy Cabs over the past years. Enjoy your retirement. Mike

Open tomorrow usual time 7am ☕️ My last 4 days at the shelter… be nice to say goodbye if you get near ☕️

Had eye tests following up my cataract operations last year. 98% peripheral vision left eye, 95% right. Consultant happy. Patient (me) very happy Big up for Southlands Hospital who were open on a Sunday. Staff very pleasant, very efficient. Next follow up in 6-8 months.

I’ve recently got a metronome which I’m using here to keep time for the 4 chord G Em C D sequence. Compare this with the post I made on 16/12 last year to see if I’m any better

Effects pedals can change the sounds of electric guitars. In my case they can also help hide some mistakes. Les Paul guitar with effect box

While effects pedals can help hide some mistakes they can’t hide them all as I demonstrate with my Squier Stratocaster. Don’t wince too much when you hear them - I’m still learning and at 78 with arthritic fingers it takes me a bit longer than most youngsters

Called into Guitar Guitar Epsom on my way home yesterday (Sunday) to look at 2 guitars on my possible purchase list. Couldn’t decide which one to buy so ended up with both of them. Standby for videos of each coming soon

This is the Squier Stratocaster. It has 3 pickups with a 5 position switch to select different mixes which gives a variety of sounds.

This is the Epiphone Les Paul. It has a more mellow sound than the Strat The fretboard also seems to be slightly easier for barre chords.

Lovely to meet and catch up again with @TonyParsonsUK who is a long-standing supporter and user of London Taxis, to present him with his @PoppyCabs certificate of appreciation in recognition of his support. Thanks again Tony.

By a serendipitous coincidence while on my way home I was able to make a short diversion to meet up with my family who were visiting Eastleigh Lakeside Railway 30+ years ago I was a volunteer on this railway It’s a great place to visit.

I have transferred £3,000.00 received from Poppy Cab badge donations to the Taxi Charity account. There will be a further £2,100.00 transferred to Royal British Legion making their total up to £4,029.19 from Poppy Cab collections and badge sales Thanks to all who donated.

Hurlingham club event Thursday 18 Dec 2025 0030 finish 800 guests Neil Watterson Security door supervisor.

You can take 4 chords (G, En, C & D) and use them rhythmically for a lot of songs You can also do other things with them. This exercise has to be repeated for at least a month until it becomes muscle memory. Only another 3 weeks to go!

On loan Epiphone 335 plus my new effects pedal

@TM1654 /cont Taxis are still welcome, There is a big event next week. Neil’s WhatsApp was compromised months ago and with Data Protection rules he’s not able to use that just yet. He will contact those of us on his original those of us on the original message group to let us know

@TM1654 UPDATE. Sat 6 Dec Information from Neil Hurlingham Club was shut for refurbishment for 12 months July 24 - July 25 There have been various changes to staff, buildings and management. Neil has been off sick for several months. /cont

Any truth in the WhatsApp that’s doing the rounds . According to the WhatsApp, the Hurlingham Club don’t welcome Black Cabs anymore ?

Great lunch and afternoon with @TaxiCharity Christmas lunch @MillwallFC with @PoppyCabs & others from the profession such as @londonkabbie and also various Military Veterans who proudly served our country. A very enjoyable afternoon for which I'm truly grateful to be attending.

@WobblyBoater @taxitalkmike Or I could go wobbly boating Alan !!

@taxitalkmike Try nose picking. Much easier.

I’ve been trying finger picking but as I bite my nails it’s not very good The message I get from guitarists on line is to constantly practice one thing until you get it right then eventually you can put different things together