I must admit, your description seems to shout "Vans" quite loudly.
It does, doesn't it? Not wanting to knock the Pioneer (seems like a well designed aircraft), if it's not cleared for aeros in the UK there's no point in considering it, even if cleared in other countries. The Harmon Rocket ( the first version, the PFA'd II & III are a while off yet) seems ideal, but is still under survey and s/h examples won't show up for a while (unless the owner scares themselves rigid, which is entirely possible by all accounts). It's a modified RV4, which makes it more attractive. I'd go for a Pitts but it doesn't have the legs or the practicality to tour Europe, even though its aero capability is second to none.
Not many more options really!
Thanks for the advice, owe you all a beer at my first fly-in!