@flyingtoothdriller thanks for your comments. What's the difference in the licence types you referred to in your post? Also, not sure if I can do anything other than NPPL on a microlight?
All - I think flight sims have helped me. I've been 'flying' them since I was about 8 on a zx spectrum. They are good for helping understand the instruments etc. and also recently I've been practicing the procedural stuff that some posters have referred to. Also things like remembering to use a but of elevator in a turn etc. Totally agree they don't really replicate the feel of real flying but on days like today when I've had my planned lesson cancelled due to 30knt winds it's better than nothing!