Hello from a new baker

Hello, I've been dipping into the forum for advice for a while and thought it was time I signed up so I could join in the conversation - and I have a few specific questions I want to ask...

My name is David. I'm a UK-based baker, living in Kent. A couple of months ago, at the tender age of 46, I made the conscious decision that I've had quite enough rubbish shop-bought bread for one lifetime, so from now on I will only eat home-made.

I've been an occasional baker in the past, and for a while got into the habit of making bread regularly in a machine, but now I'm going exclusively old-school - hand-kneaded sourdough all the way. Also motivated by the fact that we bought a new oven recently (the old one never got hot enough for reliable baking).

It's been a fun learning experience so far. I'm far from mastering the art but I've had some good results - and some not so good... Here's my latest effort (a plain white sourdough), made this afternoon - the shape is not perfect but it tastes great and I'm happy with the texture: