Many thanks for an interesting and informative post and some good sage advice.
I already have some comments by PM from somebody who did a PPL with Rexair last year so I think I know which way I'll be going. I don't have any particular preference of aeroplane. I currently fly a Diamondstar at Redhill but am equally at home in Pipers and Cessnas.
I am going to send out some emails and see what will work. Without wishing this to seem like any form of criticism, which it isn't, it seems there are some schools who are content to have guys like us rock up and want a one off flight and others who are intensively training pilots with professional intent and whose plans are a little less flexible.
I often find that flying someplace different gives me new opportunities. I flew an SR-22 in San Diego a couple of years ago and am attracted to an introduction to a Garmin 1000 equipped Cessna 182.
I was in Florida in June and flew a 172 from Opa Locka to a T & G at Marathon so the view of the Overseas Highway is very familiar ... I can hardly wait to be there again but from Naples may look to fly north towards Tampa for new scenery.
I overflew Ocean Reef Club on my from Opa Locka .. Wow .. that'd be a place to visit, but I'm too poor. Read about it in Dick Karls article in Flying earlier in the year.
Many thanks again
Dave Gittins