Agree with everything written here, but overall a good job done. Having information to hand, like your minimum level, and an idea of alternative routes to hand can help decision making.
One thing that helped me, and still does sometimes, is a kneeboard sketch of the join. Consider your post-it note to be north up, draw the runway, draw arrows of the circuit. Can be a lifesaver when you are busy and need to plan an alternative join strategy.
If I was flying Southend to Lydd at this time if year, I wouldn't plan for more than 2000ft unless you want clouds to cancel you regularly! Go around the gliding field, lower.
Last edited by carlmeek; 4th Mar 2013 at 21:05.