Thank you all for your responses. My first PPRuNe solo seems to be going ok. (But still only on downwind!)
As a novice (again!) it is always easier when things occur as one expects them to. Obviously, in the real world of aviation that isn't necessarily going to happen. This is the first time since I started flying again, a few months ago, that I've had any reason to question what went on and why, with regards to a radar service. If I made mistakes then I want to learn from them. If I failed to see the bigger picture and appreciate the other guy's situation, then I can learn from that too, hopefully. I guess on this occasion my inexperience made it harder for me to adapt quickly to an unexpected (for me) situation, whoever's error it may or may not have been.
I will be doing a bit of brushing up as per your suggestions!
Thank you also for the welcome-backs. I'm enjoying it more now I think than I did the first time round. I just wish I could win the lottery!
Pom pom. (On PPRuNe finals, hoping for a decent landing).