Sounds as though there are some well informed Coppers in your area.
"Spirited Driving" and "Making Good Progress" are their way of saying "we know you were speeding, but couldn't get a reading". I had that on a bike once, nice bike copper, pulled in to Loomies Cafe on the A272 behind me. He also told me that because I was riding quickly, but at no danger to myself or anyone else, he was more interested in getting a coffee at the Cafe that making a fuss....
As you say, decent enough guys doing their job.
Just don't get cheeky or rude, then it ends badly.
