I seem to remember you venturing on here a few years back Timothy, so I am pleased that you were not too put off then. Maybe losing an engine crystallises the thought process.
I too have been flying fixed wing for 30 odd years, and although I have nothing like your experience, I discovered rotary flight about 9 years ago now. I still keep both licences up, but rotary has got to be the winner for sheer enjoyment. I have run an R22 for a few years but finally got around to doing an R44 rating last year. As others have said it is a lot nicer to fly and faster - I find that a long journey in a 22 is like driving an old Mini to John O'Groats so I normally limit flights to an hour or two each way. My wife actually persuaded me to get a rotary licence on the basis of "do it while you are still young enough to be able to" and I am very very glad that I did. I use my 22 as a runabout to go out for lunch, commute to work, drop in at the village pub, visit friends with big gardens etc etc plus occasional long trips on Summer days.
Best fun I have ever had with clothes on.
Go for it.