Well a big thank you to all your very good advice the conclusion being i took a ride all on my own
I was frightened and nervous, took a canister of repair puncture in case i got flat still not found out how to mend a puncture
Thought i would go for just around 4 or 5 miles as then if disaster struck i would be able to walk home with bike. Well i got well and truly lost and ended up cycling 16 miles all on my lonesome And guess what, i really enjoyed it apart from getting lost of course. My speed improved and the hills didnt seem so bad, i didnt have the s/o behind me yelling at me go faster change gear you will never make it up that hill. it was great.
The next thing is to learn how to repair puncture and be able to put chain back on.
The only thing now is i have hurt myself and have an appt with my dr tomorrow to see what damage i might have done or how much exercise i can do until it heals. Will keep you all up to speed on that.
Furry duck