Hi Whirls,
Following up on your point concerning confidence.......This is a subject worthy of a separate discussion thread of it's own.
I have always lacked confidence when flying. During my PPL training I thoroughly enjoyed the dual training, but as soon as the solo X-Country phase came along I struggled with the lessons. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on which way you look at it) I can be very stubborn and do not like to be beaten by a challenge, so I continued.
In fact I would say that my worst flying day so far was my 150nm solo X-Country. The route was EGKB DCT EGMD DCT EGKG DCT EGKB. All went well until I arrived back at Biggin whereupon I could not see Kenley and could not see Biggin and was really confused about a jet landing on the ILS. I received a left base join for 03 and could not seem to orientate myself correctly, I could not even convince myself which was my left and right hand! Anyway the ATCO asked me if I was OK to which I said "No I am a tired tyro I cannot see the other traffic and I don't understand your instructions". The pilot of the jet listening to my r/t volunteered to break off his approach and I received almost a talkdown service from APP and then TWR. I didn't get a chance to thank the other pilot.
Nowadays the situation is better, but even now, like you, if I haven't flown for a while I start wondering again. The club I was in were very supportive but the key for me was flying with another newly qualified PPL. Now I have a little over 100hrs and am just beginning to enjoy flying the aircraft that I recently bought a share in. The group is excellent and all the members (6 in total) and really helpful, the majority shareholder/owner has recently had a book published about group ownership that has been reveiwed in AOPA's GA publication.(sorry didn't mean to give a commercial plug!)
I have been a little stubborn and that combined with a little luck in meeting the right people has kept me pushing on to the next lesson and my aim is to become a proficient pilot day, night and IMC by filling the bucket of experience before I empty the bucket of luck!
I am sure there are more PPLs out there who would not admit to being nervous. I am the only one that I have met who does!
Andy