Tinstaafl and conventional gear - thanks for your comments. It is reassuring to hear that I might not be as crap at this as I think I am. I dont think my age at 57 helps. To be honest I thought it would be a lot easier than it is. There seems to be so much going on at the same time and I find it difficult when I hear the instructor telling me I am making the same mistakes as the last lesson when I thought I had got it all sorted out in my head. I will try to book some extra lessons regards Chas