Thanks everyone for your replies.
During my training I often took passengers during the lessons - and sometimes was pretty heavy. It was great experience for sure!
I'm still waiting for my license - phoned the CAA and they are saying 15 working days at the moment - so in the meantime I'm planning some supervised solo locally, and also with Steve Dean my instructor on board I'm hoping to fly the London helilanes. Then when the license arrives I'm planning a trip away for the night with the wife to a Devon hotel.
Thanks everyone for your help/suggestions. I appreciate having such a great online community!