Training - Cranwell vs BRNC - each to their own, on a personal note going through Dartmouth during the summer with the awesome view out the window made up for some of the BS that went on in term 1. Term 2 was a complete laugh but that was a while ago and the syllabus has changed, I believe you actually have to go to sea on IST or DTS or something now, even as a WAFU.
Best time to start at BRNC was (still is?) April - Light and warm(ish) for the term 1 BS, some summer leave as well as the 2/3 weeks activity (mine was sailing back from Oslo with two other Mids, two ratings and an academic tutor who loved his drink), followed by term 2 (as above, agreed) and then the Christmas ball, guaranteed to charm (and more) any sensible lass.