John Barnes wrote: ...... once I can visit a camera shop I'll seek the correct equipment!
Based on personal experience, the two I would particularly recommend are Cameraworld and Park Cameras which have both been willing to give me the time needed when making purchasing decisions. Each has a store close to each other in the West End and prices will probably be similar, if not identical. Cameraworld occasionally has offers which are better than elsewhere. Park Cameras also has a large place in Burgess Hill if you do not fancy going into London on public transport at present. Unfortunately, there is not much else closer these days.
In the past few months, I have had good service from London Camera Exchange but in an earlier encounter an assistant at the Strand branch once lost a sale when he got fed up answering my questions. He stopped serving me just as I was about to make the purchase and I ended up buying elsewhere. Maybe that was a one-off? The Oxford Street branch of John Lewis has a photography section where you can handle cameras untroubled by anyone trying to serve you, let alone have a good knowledge of what they are selling. There might have been an improvement since my last visit but a specialist dealer is usually a better option.
You might find this website of use. It shows what is available and gives price comparisons or links for a wide range of retail outlets, with Cameraworld being the main omission:
https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/John Barnes wrote:I am interested in landscapes and the grandchildren.
If your grandchildren are anything like mine, a camera with good continuous autofocus will be helpful when they are running around.
John Barnes wrote:I would certainly like to attend a Members' evening as a guest so I'll contact you at a later date to arrange if I may.
You will be welcome at any time.