" The T.31 had a much inferior glide ratio and I seem to recall that circuits lasted barely three minutes "
This is true, hence the reason after an impeccable...well I thought it was... first solo at Burtonwood, the second was more "interesting " in that, sinking earthwards rapidly, I reasoned I wasn't actually going to arrive back on the very long runway, as it still was, so decided to land on a ramp area.....containing xxxxx 45 gallon drums and sundry bits of metal / ground equip not entirely conducive to gliders.
The management arrived in a bit of a hurry, and were" less than complimentary" about my flying skills, but then changed their mind when I asked where they thought I should have landed and indeed praise, of a sort, followed. I am still awaiting my "Good Show " for this feat of airmanship at such a young age.
Thereafter, my liver and digestive system were exposed to the GSA.....along with a bit of gliding.