I started learning about a 2 years ago. My first flight went very badly. The old guy who "took me up" for my first go wasn't very attentive and I managed to do 2 circuits on my own before plunging the club trainer through a tree from directly above and completely destroy it!!! I even broke off the carb, silencer AND snap the engine block in half across the cylinder!!!
Oops. Sorry lads!
But my determination was still strong and I've since managed taking off and landing all on my own! It only took one summer of excellent teaching from a great friend of mine.
If the club hadn't been so nice about crashing the trainer and so willing to get me back up in the air, I don't know if I'd still be flying today.
Cheers guys!