Aidan
I've a few hours on the six and I agree that she is a good plane.
One of the few traps of this lovely lady is that she handles quite differently depending on the w&b and excess thrust varies depending on the load (I know this is a trusim, but it 'seems' lto have more effect in the six.)
If you fly the POH numbers and arrive accurately, you should be able to get into any reasonable field, so like the other posters I'd wouldn't try to be Chuck Yeager by imitating an egg beater!
Also, a useful tip that I got from a Dick Collins book was the 3000 rule for a six.
If you're over 3000lbs weight, or the runway is less than 3000ft or the density altitude is over 3000ft, then calculate performance carefully.
If none of those factors apply, still calculate, but you will find performance to be very good indeed!
Enjoy your lovely aeroplane.