FI(H) pay ain't all that bad, after a couple of years a company may wish to use you for CPL training, teaching a CPL course, £3500 in a month or so, plus retainers, not bad I say.
Yeah as mentioned, winter, it bites, less pay, but I love flying in winter, snow covered mountains are the bee's for good views.
NNorth Sea at the moment, you need an IR(H), unless you're one of the odd lucky ones.
Anyway good luck and enjoy!
HH