Agreed EMA are very helpful. Though I had an uncomfortable 5 minutes in IMC when Brize had dumped me but EMA couldn't hear my radio transmissions. As soon as they could, they gave me RIS and a zone transit (IFR) in no time; but I was without a radar service for a bit, which is against our club rules.
And they were fine (VFR much lower) on the way back. The only thing they asked for was a change of level each time - not exactly taxing.
Tim