First I copy object to clipboard, then when I paste, the object is miles away from the cursor - can anyone tell me why and what I can do to remedy this?

(1)  You can execute a Copy with Basepoint instead.
 
Ctrl-Shift-C will ask you to select a base or insertion point.  When you Ctrl-V to paste the object(s) should come in where you want them to.
 
(2)  Use the COPY command at the command prompt.  This also asks you for a basepoint.  Again when you paste the objects will know where to come in.
 
Dave.