All,
Just a quick thank-you for the insiteful answers. I'm learning in a eurostar, so what some people in the thread described as blurring the lines. I love it, but when I talk to a couple of friends learning in a C152, I did keep wondering why they were saying that its pretty much gliding it in for a landing.
ULH said that every slight change on the throttle has an immediate impact, and that you have to stay well above the stall speed for approaches. That matches my experience, and its certainly not just "coasting in". I must get someone who flies a light aircraft (as opposed to a microlight) to take me for a trip one day. That way I would actually know.
In the meantime, I also have a growing desire to try the other end of the spectrum, and have a go in a flex wing. However, I think I might just wait till the warmer weather for that....roll on cockpit heaters!