After the straight rip off the pensions industry has made of most people's cash over recent years I don't blame you at all Pete. And at least it's in your control rather than someone working anonymously with somebody elses money, taking a ridiculous commission and never even having to meet the people they've ripped off.
What could be better than something you can see, touch and ride about on while they appreciate. Believe me , even if you made a loss on some of them it still wouldn't come anywhere near what comission and ongoing charges take out of pension schemes.