Hi GW,
Yep, I draw my fuel circles on the chart, next to the heading line and the figures are in the direction of travel. They do of course make the chart busier but I draw them in an area I am not going to use. But thats the beauty of circles on the chart, they are there, to check as you are checking your route.
The ystem of the plog fuel column sounds exactly like my circles. In fact, to satisfy the CAA I write these estimations in both the plog as you do AND the chart. That way I am practising for my QXC and Skills test but also learning the "everything on chart way" so when i'm let loose in the sky with my licence, I can use this as it is my preferred method (not so much paper to lose in the cockpit).
So, your 45min extra fuel, that sounds as though its the same as my 15 litres minimum FOG, as that would give me about 30 mins airborne...
Yes, the minimum fuel is in red so to be conspicuous. Thats an interesting point about its use in night flying and IFR. Hadn't considered it before. I will have to ask my instructor whether in that case the entire circle and figures are in black...and bear it in mind when I can graduate onto those ratings!
GQ