Thanks RVR, for the info - from a newbie into this scene, i have to say, someone somewhere is getting paid a lot of money for something, that in my view is a bit silly. Why should your number of hours make any difference as to whether you require a medical or not - I can appreciate the groundschool repeats more of a requisite, considering knowledge is power and all that.
At any rate, I've already considered your suggestion of returning, as it does indeed seem to work out cheaper. When you said you paid a high price for doing so yourself, which way did you mean that - higher financially or otherwise?? Just in case there are any further pitfalls awaiting me.
TR