Mark - I actually think we are very much in agreement. By - so basic - I meant the lovely basic art of see and be seen, and fly your aeroplane in the manner that will fit the pattern at that given time. Whether it is alter your rate of climb due to crosswind hazards, slow down your approach to the downwind because there is a gyrocopter, a microlight, and a heliocopter all manouvering. The basic premise must still exist however of the 'plan'. And that is taught in PPL syllabus, or should be.
Also the old art of positioning calls - descend deadside, join crosswind, downwind, left base, finals and so on. I still amazes me that I have to ask a lot of the time where are you?
