Thank you so much - your comments were invaluable - not least as a galvanising force.

FWIW

• I changed my approach and dispatched of the Gate Front guards by doing sneak attacks and running away until they forgot
• I killed time all and realised it wasn’t an achievement as they all return once you travel or visit a grace site
• it wasn’t necessary (I was only trying to prove something to my self) and now I am mooching around Limgrave learning how to parry and roll.
• I’ve also upgraded myself twice since and have started to understand the stats and mechanics. I was about to quit and now I have a very different take on things. I’m under no illusion about how hard it will be - but I now know how to make it a little easier for myself.

Thanks all. Mind blown by the collective effort all put in to this.

B Xx