Fish Perhaps you are a Fish out of Water??
When I worked out of Gatwick I never had to go anywhere near the M25 and the times I usually reported for duty were rarely in the rush hour. The trouble with a lot of Pilots in the UK is that they never seem to want to live anywhere near their workplace which makes the job even more horrendous than it already is.
Still in EK that is not a problem as you have to live where they put you or take the Rental Allowance.
Still it is the Lifestyle you are there for as you tell us.
Max AB I believe some do go for the weather.!!