Thanks for the replies, starting to get my head around it a bit better now and feeling a little less apprehensive. But then my AV isn't talking to me today like he was yesterday...
@Bennefond, there-in lies my challenge. Those were exactly the sort of things I thought I'd be doing, but the hotels are all budget hotels and thus situated in the middle of nowhere! But you got me thinking, and in-between a bit of time on SR, a bit of reading, some meditation/self reflection, and movie here and there, I'm going to pick up an Open University course. It is indeed a great opportunity to better oneself!