Oogle,
Didn't you know that CAA means Campaign Against Aviation? You wouldn't believe what cr*p we have to put up with in UK to get our jobs done.
I have been a Chief Pilot in the past; these days I just fly freelance because I can no longer put up with jumping through the hoops those bu**ers put up.
On the thread, delighted to hear from a satisfied "punter". Pleasure flying is much underrated and can be as much pleasure for the pilots as for the customers if you approach it in the right spirit. Sadly nothing else I have ever done has brought as much joy to as many people!