Hmm... I live somewhere where all these good things aren't available. I can't talk to another private pilot, I can't do a few hours at a local flight school, there's nobody to talk to about flying abroad. There's nothing up here! And it's very difficult to find concise, accurate, up-to-date, trustworthy information on the things I need online.
I also don't think that the US/UK difference is that bad, but you're probably right in saying that I should be more familiar with the European ways, for sure.
I can always drive, but what's the fun in that!
