I have no experience of the C-42, and there are remarkably few of them here in BE. As I understand things, it makes an excellent trainer and serves very well for a local bimble. For touring, even on a modest scale, one might want something faster, though. And, as has been rightly stated, with a bit more load carrying capacity.
Regarding the VLA/microlight difference: there are quite some legal differences, but they will only become relevant on "serious" touring. Flying a microlight internationally requires (in theory) an overflight permit for each country visited. The VLA, being an EASA concept, has no limitation there - as long as the UK adheres to EASA
