"TIMETOSTART HAS BEEN-AND-GONE-AND-DONE-IT"
Taken the plunge (and a heap of advice from our very helpful local bike shop) and bought a Marin Juniper Trail. My husband has got himself a Marin Rocky Ridge. Decided if we are going to do it we should do it as right as we can afford. Plan to do exactly as you guys are suggesting to start with. "Mountain" biking is a long way off. Pathway riding will be more the thing to start with! We've lots of flat forest trails and quiet country roads where we live. My bike arrives next week, hubby's in November. So we are (almost) on our way!!
Thanks again for the advice.