Firstly well done on your achievement, sounds like you worked hard but enjoyed it.
Don't be too hard on the night rating, it is worth it just for the flights around bonfire night in November. To take off and see the whole of the south east of the UK exploding with fireworks is fantastic! As you can see for miles at night and everything looks closer you can choose the next firework display to fly to, and then the next etc.. Great fun, I highly recommend it.
The night rating is not just for flying at night, there were many times when we would fly in from France late in the day and it was good to know we were legal to get in at or after dusk.
On the flip side to not having official night at the moment till after everywhere is closed, it means that you have many more daylight hours to fly around!