I really appreciate your quick reply, thanks. I would consider going to one of these backwater type places for a year or two if it got me enough time on type to get me back to the UK. However, I worry about how these hours will be viewed by the type of company I'd like to join in the future.
My other option is to convert to FAA and do some multi time building in the USA while doing a desk job etc out there, with a view to getting a job with the US regionals when they start hiring in the future. I have dual British/American nationality so that side of things wouldn't be an issue.