As mentioned in another thread, I passed my skills test last weekend, a great feeling after 18 months of lessons - total hours so far, 47.5
Just posting to say thanks to the detailed posters in this thread - I haven't posted myself, can only plead lack of time, but it has been interesting and useful reading other people's experiences.
Anyway, good luck to those still working towards their PPLs - you won't regret all the hard work!