This thread has just cheered me up. I'm very similar to you agewise, have the PPL and am just starting ATPL distance learning.
I intend to go CPL, IR and instructors course, because I had more or less written off any chances of commercial airline work. Plus the idea of a flying instructor is appealing to me anyway. So I'll get that far asap and see what happens.
Good luck, I'd be very interested to know how you're getting on.
