Sorry chaps/chapesses been driving home...
To answer the first questions.....we were cleared to join base and reported that to TWR on initial handover from Approach.
The choices we saw were:
1. Continue and land.
2. Continue and overshoot
3. Continue past the extended centreline onto the deadside and orbit.
5. Say " s*d you you miserable b*****s and go somewhere else!
6. Orbit
Despite the attraction of 5., we decided to do 3.
Reasons:
We presumed deadside was clear because Approach had not
been talking to any overhead joins as we approached.
We knew Right base was (should) be clear because RH circuits were not in operation.
We quickly flipflopped to Approach and told them our intentions before going back to TWR.
Outcome:
As we commenced orbit on RB, TWR (presumably having been shouted at by Approach) cleared us to finals.
We requested a "come to Jesus" meeting after landing but everyone seemed rather busy.
Thoughts:
Most pilots have come up with the various solutions discussed so far but I was interested to see if there was a definitive "right way"
What amazes me, on reflection, is how quickly one has to make the decision. Half the time it takes you to read all this....!