Many thanks to all respondents for a great welcome and encouragement.
Big, big thank you to BEagle for a MASTER CLASS for someone in my position -you sure know my thoughts and fears. That's exactly what I needed to hear. (Are you available in the Midlands area for any/all of aforementioned instruction? or may I pm you for further advice?)
Thanks also to mabmac and genghis t engineer for their time and effort.
Good luck to you Jamieone/mabmac and all else who are beginning or continuing where they left off.