Did my QXC Monday (I musn't let the boss read this - called in sick
). I'm based in Southampton, flew to Bristol and then to Exeter (and then home of course). Of the two, Exeter was WAAAYY better. And WAAAAAYYYYYYY cheaper, half the cost in fact. Didn't pick up fuel at either, other than tea at Exeter.
As the others have said, nice place, friendly etc. Probably too expensive to go there again (but I'll remember QDM's suggestion to venture in the vicinity when/if I get a licence).
Thanks to all the ATC'ers, if they read this. Spoke to London for the first time as Yeovilton on holiday. Also spoke to Boscombe for the first time, as I usually fly weekends. Nowhere near as daunting as I imagined.
As for hi-vis jackets, let's face it: in this glorious nanny-state we're in (as most users of this forum seem UK based), they are not going to go away.
And security gates etc? If I had my own plane, I'd prefer it to be behind bars to reduce the chance of some yob stuffing it up as we've seen in other posts here.