and all done.
after putting chain on the largest gear and setting the limit screw fully in [but that still didn't get the derailleur far enough inwards], i set the shifter at about 1/5 less than fully back, and physically held the derailleur against the spokes whilst securing the shifter cable.
then let go, and the slack in the cable, and a little tweeking of the limit screw got me where i wanted.
i then went up the gears and set the other limit screw.
my first derailleur. i should be so proud. but i'm in the wrong forum for that.
my next bike's going to be singlespeed. at the very least.
fsnl
sparky