Tx for reply's - I live and learn.
I was taught during my IR that you are not in the hold till you are established on the inbound radial. Therefore, a direct entry on a heading other than the published inbound radial is just a maneuver to get established and then fly the hold.
Mind you, given some of the comments on another forurm re the school I did my IR in, then it wouldnt surprise me if they were wrong!!
Tx again