Thank you for the kind words on my research post. That genuinely means a lot, especially coming while you are on holiday. I have tried to make this about contributing something rather than just complaining, so a reply at that level of detail is exactly the exchange I was hoping for. 
I appreciate you saying that, because it matches how mine started. Thread was genuinely rough for me early on, close to going out of the window more than once. It got a lot better over time and has stayed that way. I will call that experience rather than proof, but it was not subtle, so I recognise the picture you describe.
Thank you, that blessing was all I wanted before taking it anywhere. I will set it up in its own thread so this one stays on topic, open to anyone who has actually been through it. Fully understood on sticking to the Forum yourself, and give your girlfriend my regards 
