Having read all that has been said in this thread, I have to say that I think my club has struck a sound balance. They require 5 hours instrument training before we are allowed to cross the sea to Europe. Not so hard as an IMC, but clearly intended to address the potential spacial disorientation in haze.
Whirly, I'm not sure where you get the idea that you do 5 hours during the PPL. I think 1 hour of instrument awareness is more like it.
HH