Gus, I remember you from telly in Cornwall when I was a wee lad!
Six/seven years ago I was in a very similar position, couldn't rent for prolonged periods and when I could, the prospect of paying £75/hr for a 152 did not really appeal.
I joined the PFA and within weeks was a co-owner in an Aeronca. That aeroplane changed my whole life. It was inexpensive, it was always available, it was fun and I could easily afford to take others flying. The tailwheel training was interesting and made me really think about my flying far more than I had since passing my PPL exams several years earlier.
TACPOT's bird and mine are identical and the costs are almost the same, too. There were 3 Aeronca shares going in last month's PF mag. I do all the maintenance so have a far better understanding of how it is put together and what needs a critical eye than any other aeroplane I have flown.
I am passionate about the PFA because it rescued my flying before I ran out of money, it has enabled me to plans build my own biplane and I have made some excellent mates through it.
You can join on-line
www.pfa.org.uk
Stik