Much appreciated insight everyone thanks. There's more to this lark than the simple straightforward routes we flew in training.
So essentially, trying to fly DCT is not the done thing, and plan for the nearest most sensible route, in the hope that ATC will accomodate and send you more expeditiously if they can?
Off to play with that Eurocontrol site now.
PS anyone use & recommend the Jepp IFR flight planning software? The whole thing sounds a bit too complex to be left to software to me!
thanks again, SS