Thanks for the input guys.
I guess it's all about how risk-adverse a person is. Looking out the window at the British weather makes me wonder how it's possible to earn a living as a PPL instructor over here (and I suppose another regret for me about not having emigrated to the US years ago)!
Shame the NVQ tax relief was withdrawn due to the abuse by recreational pilots. I once took a Microlight flight from Redhill (entirely for fun) and was advised I could claim NVQ tax relief!
Getting back to the point, my motivation would really be just to spend my life doing something I enjoy and with a reasonable income. I think I have always had an aptitude for flying, but assumed my eyesight was a barrier to a class 1 medical.
Indeed the CAA regarded moderate short-sight (-3.5 d) as a reason to deny a class 1 medical, despite the FAA having no problem with it, now the JAA allows up to -5 d (uncorrected) so yet again the CAA has over-regulated and unnecessarily killed off people's ambitions.