Thanks for the warm replies!
Ya I've got a background in graphic design, but I'm giving it up to pursue a green-change to a farm life (in the process of moving, on holidays at the moment). No idea what I'll do from this point on... shuck oysters?
All these were done in Photoshop Elements... it's basically every bit as good as Photoshop CS, except it doesn't have channels and a few other more advanced things that most ppl will never need anyways.
Glad yer liked the first part of this patrol - lots moar to follow.