Thanks everyone for all of your advice and observations.
Yes I find playing against the original at slow speed (looping) really useful. I should do this sooner and with smaller sections.
Bear you're right. I should use a metronome more. Let it win you say. Hmmm...interesting. I do have a very competitive side. Maybe that's my problem. slow, slow, slow. Sloooooooww.
Breathing more probably helps too.
OK off to play in a chilled frame of mind.
Ta
Shel
Edit - sorry Rick - I started typing Bear and Bill came out. Changed it. It doesn't make your advice any less true of course. Thanks.