Cheers mate for the info, I think as you say ill just give the bike a clean down and just try some lube for now. I can always degrease it if necessary. Its still quite clean.Just chuck some on, your chain looked pretty clean - so as you say (and other have suggested) it's just a bit dry.
Quick & easy method if required: Quick & simple - put a spot on each link, on the 'inside' of the chain (so along the bottom length between cassette and crank), remember your starting point and put around 1/2 grain of uncooked rice size on each link along the length. When you get to the end wait 20-30s so it has a bit of time to soak into the links, then forward/back pedal remembering your starting point (if your chain has a chainlink/powerlink in it that's an easy spot) and repeat until the whole length is done. Give it a few rotations and then take it up and down the cassette with your shifter a few times to see how much happier it now sounds!
Depending how much you put on you might get some spray/mist of it on the floor while spinning it, so best done outside/garage etc. If using a dry lube then it's worth wiping down the chain afterwards as it's usually quite light stuff it gets everywhere and lube isn't needed on the outside surfaces of the chain (and just attracts dust & dirt). In theory you're best to wipe down everything you can 'see', the lube is for the internal links of the chain, not really any outside surfaces. A thicker wet lube or some of the ceramic based stuff is generally more 'gloopy'. Takes a bit longer to soak in and I've found (using muck-off and finish line green) are almost best left without wiping them down as it's much easier to put smaller amounts on the right places anyway... Also designed to stay put in bad weather... And if you're riding in bad weather your chain is going to get mud, dirt and grime all over it anyway.
I actually consider some lube on the surface of my chain during the wet & winter a good indicator for how filthy it is and use that to judge that a little when to clean things. During a wet/dirty autumn and winter I'll wipe my chain down to remove this grime several times a week, without cleaning my chain or relubing it, only doing that when it starts to sound rough or look like the water has washed the grime/lube off/out of it. Maybe once every 7-14 days. But I'm harsh on my chains... For me they're a consumable so the time saved is worth it. The salt on the roads in the winter EATS chains, so carrying some lube & dirt on the outside/visible parts actually protects it a little from that salt/rust. Some wet & salty winter rides you get home and the chain is almost like it's been degreased and dried out, with rust, when you only cleaned and lubed it the night before...!
I have some Muc Off C3 Ceramic Dry lube, C3 Ceramic Wet Lube and a normal wet lube. Which one would I go with? its expected to be around 20/21c and relatively dry near me in the next few weeks so perhaps ive answered my own question? (c3 ceramic dry)
Noted that you mention to just leave the c3 ceramic stuff to soak in and not wipe it down.
I know it's perhaps not in the spirit of it... but hey, I want some kind of award on Strava!!!