Thanks for the replies, all interesting and lots of food for thought.
Tending to think that doing the IR course would be the way to go at this stage, if I could get a slot.
I think I would enjoy something like the North sea for at least a while. It does interest me. Also after the IR I feel it's important to be in a 'structured' environment, which this would be. Assuming the 'face fitted'.
TU.