Possible cause:
Some hard driving with 3 people in the car, at one point dipping the clutch while going up a hill

Symptoms:
When I got back to town, the gearbox feels a bit stiff when clutch is depressed to shift, as if some clutch plates may be sticking.
Also its a bit rough/juddery when moving away in first, as if the plate material is damaged.
Another possibility is that the plates are warped, does this happen?

The clutch also bites a little earlier, on pedal return travel, than before,
and a slight vibration can be felt from the clutch pedal when its just barely pressed.
There is no slip from the clutch when engaged.

Any of this sound familiar?

I'm thinking some of the symptoms could result from low tranny fluid, which I have yet to check/replace in the car.
Or even major damage to a suspension component/engine mounting, which doesn't look to be the case on initial inspection.
Any thoughts appreciated

 

looks like fuild is low which will wear your clutch much quicker. I would get that checked before it gets bigger. If your clutch was going it'd slip. Check your fluid

 

Thanks dude,
I must get a manual, I can see the drain bolt, what looks like a level bolt, and what looks like a fill hole fitted with what looks like a level warning switch, built into a type of filler cap on top of the trans.
If I got that level checked I might at least eliminate it from the investigation!
No point putting fresh oil in there, in case the clutch eventually has to come out?

Another reason why I think the plates are fried is, the car was standing idle for two years, maybe more, until I bought it a year ago.
And, like brake pads, that **** can go off AFAIK