Hi all, and thanks for the great comments. Yes, it does make it all worth it.
Grob Queen, no, not gone solo yet. I am still to get there. Not in any rush, though. The good thing is that doing the cross-country (with instructor...I have to do 2 with him, and I think 1 without) made me realise that even though in some things I might be a bit behind the curve (eg going solo) in other things, it just clicked (eg navigation).
Fingers crossed I get to go solo before the Olympics! Otherwise, there goes another big month gap without flying.
Ah well, it comes when it comes, and in the meantime, its all great fun.
Thanks
IPZ