You must remain 500 ft clear of cloud unless on a special VFR clearance or have an IMC rating
Do you?
Personally, I would not fly lower than about 700ft - the 500ft above people etc rule is the problem and (if you get reported) that is what will get you.
One needs to be sure of where one is when doing that, because a gap of 700ft between cloud and terrain is awfully small and could close up, and then you are stuffed. Quite a lot of people get killed doing that.