Freelander thermostat query/issue (not overheating) 1.8k

Hi, I've done a search and found a couple of similar threads but I've still not found exactly what I'm after.

I've began working in a new location, and I have found my heaters have been functioning a little differently (hotter than usual on harsh inclines, very cool on idle) which sparked me into checking the car over.

On first inspection I found two obvious issues:-
Low coolant (Released rad cap and as the pressure released the coolant flowed back up and wasn't infact incredibly low)
Cold bottom hose by the PRT thermostat

I have replaced the PRT Bled it up from both locations.
Tested it's function after about 5-10 mins and a few rev's it opened.
I was still worried the next day so checked the hose after a 30 min journey to work to find it was cold, so I wondered if the Coolant sensor was failing also as the car was never showing below 1/2 way but felt hot - changed it and it still shows 1/2 way.

The thermostat has been 'bench(kitchen) tested and does function although wasn't super fast.

I have removed the inside of the old thermostat and have put this on, which gives me heat throughout the system and bottom hose car registers 1/4 ish temperature.

I've read throughout the old posts that the bottom hose being cold is normal and not to worry...

The bottom hose is always cool to the touch. The rad used in the 1.8 is identical to the rad in the 2.5 V6. Because of this, the water literally trickles through the rad. So the coolant has plenty of time to cool right down by the time it gets to the bottom hose.
Heater performance will vary slightly with varying engine loads. The gauge will show halfway when the engine is between 75°C and 115°C.

Thanks for the reply it's much appreciated, I can feel warmth along top sections of the rad then cold toward the bottom, from what you're saying there is no reason to worry?