Pat
Question
1.Why did you need to ask ATC for non standard levels if you were VFR in E - you were not subject to a clearance.
2. if the weather was "questionable" is it not IFR weather? How do you expect people in high speed jetc to see you if you are dodging clouds?
3. What do you do in non radar e where you will NOT get radar advisories, alerted see and avoid - which I might add you got despite NAS because you are encouraged NOT to speak on centre frequencies.
And finally - what are the safery benefits to ALL users of the airspace of NAS?