Number Cruncher:
The October issue of the AOPA magazine General Aviation carries six pages on the IMCand IR, how, where, how much, and particularly, why. It makes the unarguable point that the British Isles is no place to be flying about with a basic PPL at this time of year. Getting an IMC rating is about the most sensible thing you can do, and it's worth starting the course as soon as the ink is dry on your PPL. It's saved a lot of lives, mine included. Get one.