by VinegarBob
I've found the same as you - my solo scores are higher than with the base game. So far I've played four solo games, with the highest score being 137. With the base game my highest solo score was 117, although I didn't play it solo very much back then.The new features explode the decision space and alter things quite dramatically, so I was quite overwhelmed at first, but I've settled into a new routine with the game now. The tea boosting really shifts the balance of things in a new direction, as do the ships - very interesting. The ditches not so much but my new opening sequence of moves does revolve around them.
One of the funny things I've found with the game now is that while I used to be very conscientious about covering the negative points at the top of the board with my dikes I can't seem to get them there any more - there are just so many other options that seem more appealing now! And I haven't figured out a good way to use the Depot yet, as there's so much more to do with flax, linen etc that my markers are all down at the bottom of the goods track.
I'm really liking this expansion a lot, and like you I'll probably never play without it. Good stuff! :)