Hope the 'bruising comments' weren't taken to heart (I'm sure they were all intended in good humour), well done for taking on board map & compass advice. Lots of navigators on here (and many that instruct) if you need to ask about starting to plot.
A circular route mostly downhill
And if you do, please share them on here.
Simon Blease
Monmouth
My local Oxfam has a great selection of 2nd hand OS maps, often selling around the £2 mark.
1000 new routes available today free of charge.