Had a cracking day yesterday to Caernarfon.
Departed from class D airspace, after asking for IFR departure (non-airways) but was given SVFR (low cloud), climbed up to FL80 on top, cleared the front moving south, bobbed down to FL60 over the Irish Sea to avoid the airway and superb vis over Irish Sea and Wales.
A little disconcerting being 25 miles + over the sea but as I keep telling myself (as does everyone else), the aircraft doesn't know its flying over the sea, so no reason why there should be any problems! Still, doesn't stop you listening to every change in engine note!