@ChillinDan - welcome to the highly addictive sport of gliding. Like many other forms of addiction, you'll have highs & lows, a constant desire for your next fix and a willingness to sacrifice you wife/girlfriend to fund your addiction (only kidding!). Hope you continue to have a great time.
@Fireflye
- Conspicuity research undertaken by the RAFGSA and BGA a few years ago (including the use of dayglo and reflective strips) revealed, from what I can recall, no improvement. Indeed there's actually a risk that by having multiple colours you actually camoflage the aircraft - a fact embraced by Von Richthofen who had his aircraft painted in (often quite bright) multiple colours.
- Winching does have inherent risks and that's why safe winch techniques are tought by all BGA clubs in order to mitigate against such risks. Your instructors will spend plenty of time ensuring that you develop a safe technique and that you're able to recover from launch failures promptly and safely.
-Mid-air collisions are unlikely but not impossible. Again thorough training in keeping a good lookout and developing a high level of spatial awareness helps to mitigate the risk.