Squeakmail: I have taught CAA Private syllabus in the USA and used the recommended procedures ie. poor weather @ 500ft, "baulked" landings etc. It can be useful, especially if you are up in the Northeast as I was for a while. Adaptability is the name of the game.
As for oval patterns..why not? Suppose you fly a slow airplane like a Citabria. Better flying them at 500ft than at 1000ft!