Learning PIC on the job

Hi

I'm completely new to PIC. I would be really grateful for some pointers as to 
which technologies/devices I should use so that I can target my learning 
towards my goal!

The controlling application resides on a Linux notebook PC (or PDA???) using 
C++/Qt with a wired connection to a master PIC-based device. This master is 
in turn connected wirelessly to a variable (say 12-16) number of slaves at a 
range of up to 100 feet. The master and slaves need to be battery-operated.

The master is fed a configuration by the PC and then operates in one of two 
ways (both need to be available): independently, storing a log of events for 
later upload to the PC (a few hundred events only); or it staying in contact 
with the PC, updating the application in real-time.

On initialisation, the master would broadcast to find out which/how many 
slaves are reachable. Each slave would have a unique ID. The master then 
instructs each slave to go into one of four states and stay there for a 
period of time, after which they will be instructed to change to another 
state. External events may force individual slaves to change state. Slaves 
don't need to store anything about the past or future; they just need to be 
able to report their current state either on a forced external change or when 
polled by the master.

Any suggestions as to the best way to take this forward for someone based in 
the UK in terms of programmers/test kits, etc. would be most helpful.

I have tried to make some guesses but I'd probably only embarrass myself if I 
included them here!

Best wishes and thanks in advance

Nick