It could be that he was a Post-Solo PPL student, where his instructor told him to do some circuits.
Not too sure if he would be allowed to do a short cross-country, as a local 'familiarising flight' just in case he got lost, even though FR24 might be able to track him.
Maybe the whole PPL syllabus needs changing, much the same as glider pilots in single seater gliders are allowed to venture out on their own.
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