ATC on yesterday's flight

Had a great experience yesterday.

Talking to London as I was in some turbulence at FL270, I asked for 290 negative-RVSM. Wasn't possible as Maastricht was too busy but they offered me 280 heading East. Handed over to Maastricht just on the English coast and was given direct NASAT. Had no idea where that was then found it 20nm north of EDDB on the STAR! A 400nm direct.

Only hassle was arrivals in Berlin gave me direct to FWE, a VOR which is an IAF for the ILS on the 'wrong side' of the final approach track. Essentially seemed like it was a lazy way of avoiding vectors. Obviously as it wasn't in the flight plan, arrival, or approach it led to some manual stuffing about.