Oh, I didn't see MalH's post when I started mine. Basically what he said.
@MalH: The beans aren't as dark as they look in the picture, but you're right about them being on the darker end of where most decent roasters will go but they were highly recommended as being a forgiving bean and as it seems you will know, someone new to lever machines needs a forgiving bean. Definitely struggling with consistency so far so I'd be wasting my time with a more complex bean at the moment. Hoping to get there, though I know some people just never get on with a lever machine.
The porlex (hand) grinder is so I can use the aeropress when I'm away from home, and as you correctly guessed, so I don't have to meddle with the mignon (electric one) as the design's not really suitable for hopping between espresso and brew grinds. TBH, I'm not loving the mignon, but after a lot of reading up all I realised was most manufacturers have not started making concessions to the home market yet so any decent one is bloody massive and needs varying levels of modding to make them suitable for home rather than commercial use. Started reading round in circles and not getting anywhere so when I saw this as an open box bargain I jumped as it was so cheap I'll actually be able to sell it on at a profit when I can face looking into them again.