Thanks for the feedback folks. I think I'm pleased to hear I'm not the oldest by a long shot.
I think Biggles66 must live in a parallel universe to me.
Zordah FYI - I actually started when I was 17. Went solo to prove to the RNZAF I was keen etc etc. Then did ~50 hrs with them, before getting chopped. Have just kept things ticking along since then, and realised at one point I had the hours for a CPL, and was looking for the next flying challenge. I really enjoyed the theory, which I did via self-study, which most people would think makes me sick in the head. Flying around the Southern Alps for the cross country syllabus was spectacular. However the general handling revision didn't feel like good value for money. I reckon my forced landings have improved as a result though, so that's something.
Why not work?.....Lots of reasons, but there's a whole bunch of people out there who really want to make a career out of flying. I'll let them have the jobs. Good luck to them.