I have to say that the single best thing about the Imc rating is to depart when there is an ability to leave the gloomy uk weather behind.
Climb up through clouds and sit there in the sun looking at the blue sky. Unlimited visibility. Warm sun. Cloudscape below.
I have used the rating to do this more times than I can remember.
It's the best thing I have done since ppl.
Use it. Practice. Stay current.
There is little point to hobby flying in cloud with no view.
There is every point to climbing through a thin cloud layer and enjoying the view.
The fact that if you end up in cloud you fly to an ils safely is the life saving bonus.
I think the Imc rating is one of the great bonuses to uk flying.
I am slowly doing my ir. but that's only to help with touring