So a UK PPL with the IMCR can depart IFR in the UK, climb up through the clouds and provided he is VMC on top by the airspace boundary with France, he can continue that way across France, and then he needs to be able to descend through a large hole in the cloud to land
Does that apply to a JAA PPL and IMC rating holder as well? Pity I happen to be in the one other country (South Africa) that needs you to be in sight of the surface for VFR.