Thanks for the confirmation Eberhard. I went back and rechecked the voltages one more time, and then checked a known voltage (an AA battery) and found I was getting the wrong reading off my voltmeter. Then I realised I had the wrong setting - it's actually a multimeter and I had it set to measure DC Amps!!! With the multimeter set to measure DC Volts, I am now seeing 4.9V or thereabouts... Doh!
Well, I did say I've only just started this stuff....sorry about the unnecessary question!