You know, re-reading your comment about the map scale - that might have been a contributing factor that I hadn't considered. Not from a quantitative point but from a "feel" point.
We don't get out much on that kind of a map, and it might be enough to cause hesitation and a little bit of "why aren't I there yet" feel. (Which I felt on 6->7,7->8,8->9)
I'm not attempting to use it as an excuse - but as a learning point that it _shouldn't_ be a factor, and the solution is to look at that sort of map more.
This course might be good for a re-run...