To return to the original post. ."... I've 'developed' a problem where I just can't seem to 'line up' the map and the ground."
Nobody has really addressed this have they?
Maybe BMUS needs to be more explicit about the problem. Are you trying to identify the ground from the (expected) map position, or are you trying to find where on the map you are from the ground locations?
I suspect the following scenario.... .You take off, fly for a bit, look at the ground. It doesn't look "exactly" as you think it should, from the map, but you figure you can't be so far off track in such a short time. You fly on bit more, expecting to pick up something more obvious in a short while. Look at the ground again, ... still cant indetify anything obvious. Repeat this for 10 or 15 minutes, now you don't know where you are, and think you're lost.
Could this be what's happening?
If so, the problem would seem to be how to interpret what you see on the ground with where you are expecting to be, on the map. If you are oveflying an area without much distinguishing landmarks, that's obviously what can happen. It's important to choose "landmarks" on your track which are easy to identify, regardless of the "6-minute rule". Fly the heading as accurately as possible and keep track of your timing and start looking for the landmarks a few minutes before your target time. If you are a little off-track, it could be either side of the aircraft.
Its important to pick landmarks will be easily identifiable. . .Large sprawling towns are not so good, if they are merging with one another. Motorways are good - very distinctive, when crossing at right angles - the shape of the motorway and nearby intersections should help you to align yourself. You'll certainly get a good time check from this.
Isolated masts, especially if lit should stand out very well. So should lakes, as long as they are not grouped too closley together (although the grouping might be distinctive). Smaller towns surrounded by open land stand out a mile, especially with a distinctive roadway or railway pattern leading in and out.
Perhaps others have suggestions of what is a good landmark?
I assume you are orienting your map with the direction of flight?