hey thanks guys .. for your patience as much as your replies!
i think you summed it up Vinnie - i was trying to get everything in one..
we had a good chat with my mother (who we are going halves with) and she was way more keen on a dob than i expected.. she loved the idea of the meade lightbridge.. looks like we are getting a 10" LB yay
not
ultra portable but will easily fit in the car boot - so i think its a good choice in the end. as folks say the first scope is rarely the last - id like to look into a Mak and a tracking mount in the future.
thanks to all for the help; definitely a welcoming community here!
cheers
Mark