Thanks for clearing that for me, I've been doing it correctly in order to revalidate my rating but having the wrong information.
With regards to waiting the extra 8 months could it be to keep you being current, i.e. a single flight to Malaga and back will constitute of 12 hours. The trip could be done in one week, therefore in theory, having completed that flight it is not necessary to continuing flying until two years later, where your skills and reactions would have been reduce. By making you wait, you’re continuing to fly and increase your 12 hours. Isn’t 12 hours a minimum??