As others have said - keep up the good work and keep safe! Look out for my Aussie mates too!

As for your q's, I started with a sim and never had the luxury of a club so it can be done but having someone to help you is the ideal. You pick things up and stop mistakes before they cost you in cash or worst still you hurt yourself or others.

Also this site helped me a lot. You wont need a book which or mag which will alreadybe outdated by the time it hits the shelf.