thanks dirtysanta, I looked at the post you suggested, and then at some of BBCESQ's other profile pics. some of his earlier, shorter shapes are indeed just the sort of thing, at least for now. things may change as I go along, who knows...

Don't know why I've never tried before really, as I've always been a lazy shaver, just once or twice a week and never to smooth skin. I've never really liked to stand out or be noticed though and none of my other friends have had beards, although my father has always had one and it has intrigued me. He's removed it only twice that I can remember, and he just looked plain wrong, like he'd lost his bottom jaw and had it replaced with Tommy Steele's! The family won't let him do it ever again.

Anyway, at the moment it seems much more of a social norm, so I think I dare do it now is all. Not that I particularly want to conform to any kind of fashion either, but as a generally more grown up person who cares less now than ever about what people actually think, and also realising finally that people actually don't care anyway, then it's just one of those things I'm up for experimenting with to see what happens.

We'll see how those gaps fill in, but overall I'm quite pleased with the level of cover I seem to have so far. It can only get better.
I'll try the neckline adjustment and see what you all think in 2 weeks time with a photo.

For future reference, if anyone can recommend a good beardy barber in either Newcastle or Durham, UK ad would be good with a total novice - then do please let me know. I'm thinking it would be a good thing to know, as well as where to acquire care products - the only male grooming I've done for the last ten years is buzz my own head and squirt Lynx Africa everywhere.