Sounds like you had a very worthwhile trip. I was hoping to get airborne on a hire slot today, but as the TAF suggested rain showers in the afternoon I knew I would have been greeted with the "anti-reckless pilot" squad if I had pitched up. So didn't bother.
My comments about FTOs are, of course, a generalisation - but one based on evidence. There is a balance to be struck between going flying (which is inherently risky anyway) and taking plain stupid risks. Unfortunately, I don't think a lot of PPL factories are very good at helping you attain that balance once you have your licence.