Thanks chaps. All very helpful. I have now ordered some books and a DVD, as suggested.
As soon as I ge my "Laser" I will get her bottom wet and learn by my mistakes, I felt sure that is what you would advise!
My only concern as that I shall be sailing on very big, very deep lakes and usually on my own. There are three huge reservoirs within 10 minutes of my home.
Here in this part of France there are literally hundreds of small to medium size, man made reservoirs used for farm irrigation. Some are quite shallow and most dry out in high summer so you get to see the bottom which is usually clear of obstructions and weed. However, they are all private and the good ones which retain water all year around are often hired out to the local fishing club. Fishing is a passion around here and they do not take kindly to any kind of intrusion, despite me explainig there can be no fuel slicks and very little disturbance.
However, 5 minutes away is a superb lake of about 2 hectares, reasonably deep, clean and with a huge stone on a tiny island. The small patch of trees to the north west provide shade, there is a bench and sweet grass and wild flowers. All I need is my yacht, a little wind, time off for good behaviour and a bottle of our local wine and, oh yes, ....permission! But I am working on the farmer,the snag is he is incorruptble as he makes his own wine!
Roger in France.