OK, cheers.
I too had liked the look of something with a ZIF - but I don't really know why, I guess it just looked a bit more professional, and they are often on the higher-end boards it seems.
For ages I've been planning on making my own PICKit2 clone, from scratch, but the cost is just too high - I forget the model, but you need a RS232 - USB converter which seems to be only available as an SMD. So once you've bought that + a breakout board, plus everything else...
I'll go with PIC then to start off, I've got some lying around so I should be able to have some fun
after posting my last, I had a look at a "5 best MCUs" or something to that affect article.
It basically said PIC for the win - Arduino is fantastic but don't go for it until seasoned with something else; and AVR is ok.
So PIC it is! I always get tempted by using something as big and as powerful as possible, but in reality, I know I can and should save the money and confusion because it'll be a few years minimum until I'm working on anything like complex enough to need more than a PIC. I've PMed blueroomelectronics, hopefully getting one won't be a problem.
I'm not too far from yourself, down in Dorset.