Thankyou everyone
Thanks for all the replies and especially the encouragement from experienced aviators. Hi JHM = As I am learning in the fixed-wing microlight category I am taking lessons from Bedford Microlight Centre just outside of Sandy (PM me if you want to compare notes). The runway is a grass strip - and a friendly helpful FI.
My first few lessons have been about mid-day during the recent hot spell so very thermally this side of the country but as the hot spell seems to have dissipated it'll be interesting to see what it will be like in the cooler weather. I was getting blown around a bit last saturday as the cold front was moving in - any experiences of first landings would be fascinating to hear !