Thanks Glen,
The conditions were excellent considering where I live and the amount of light pollution I have to contend with.
My experience last night has persuaded to focus on using the binoculars to do exactly what you suggest, and get my bearings. Until I work out the issues I am having with my telescopes, which may not be issues really, I am thinking this is the best path forward. It was quite rewarding to use a star chart and Stellarium, to work out which objects I was seeing.
