Agree with the first part of your reply, Shy - I'm surprised no-one's trotted out the "onshore 1000 hours is a 1000 hours, offshore 1000 hours = 1 hour flown 1000 times" mantra yet. Having joined the 'autopilot' set a while back, I can't use the "9700 hours, all-hand-flown" line either - must've had George do the work for me for at least - ooh - 3 of those. That's got nothing to do with LNAA - different George.
Can't agree with the second part yet, though (btw don't let the spelling Gestapo see your 'practicing'). This flying malarkey still makes me want to wake up and go in to work every day (or night). Best way to take your camera to places most folk won't see outside a telly documentary, I reckon. Just wish I could be in Griffo's part of the world...