What is this cross channel check out nonsense? Anyone with a PPL should be able to carry out a cross country flight without an extra check out. A cross channel is just that, a cross country with an additional requirement for a passport or equivalent document, and a PLB or ELT for most countries. Water? Oh yes, right. Carry a lifejacket plus whatever other safety equipment you feel is needed. It's probably safer than vast expanses of pine forests, anyway.
There are lakes wider than the English channel, FFS.
Oh I give up truly I do. It's not even as if you need to learn another language if you have a UK licence.