I don't know about anybody else, but I was 'in the zone' for my QXC. Dinner consisted of a bacon butty and a cup of tea at Carlisle.
My advice would be to stick to the route your instructor suggests and concentrate on the job in hand. Looking back, I consider the QXC as being a much greater achievement than first solo. Don't be distracted with trying to find unfamiliar airfields (if you can help it) or meeting people for dinner or whatever. Plenty of time to do that when you've got the little brown book.
Rish