Allerby,
I considered going the US route for the flying bit but I'd heard a few horror stories and decided that once I got the licence I wanted to fly in the UK so best to train in the UK. Anyway, I'm coming to the end of the course now, I have my qualifying xc next week. Did my human performance exam last weekend and got my Nav exam this weekend coming. I wish I had done the exams alot earlier on but I guess I was just enjoying the flying too much. :-)
Anyway, best of luck with your flying training.
Simon