UPDATE

• The car seems to be fine -- it's travelled a few hundred miles with me now and is a joy to drive (I loved the SmartCar, but you had to drive it all the time - no chance to relax. Also a bit noisy and underpowered).
• The sun is shining again!
• I have new job: Director of Quality Assurance and Enhancement. (still a lecturer, too).
• Kat the cat seems to be settled and happy - even though she doesn't like other people very much.
• Did I mention that the sun is shining?

THE ASQUITH

Three of us went to The Asquith last night. This is a restaurant owned by Michelin Starred Glyn Purnell (it's the location where he won his first star, but has been through a couple of changes since then).

It was quiet - VERY quiet as we were the only party in the restaurant. Service was exemplary and the wine good.

Much of the food was good, too: starter of ballotine of quail with a poached egg-yolk and chorizo & sweetcorn salad was superb, so were the braised pork Kromeski. Mains were a bit disappointing: Alison's venison was good, but ordinary: my Cornish lamb was far from great, certainly, it would have been much better to french-trim the cutlet (and to cook it for a few more seconds, I think); sweetbreads were fine, if a little over-cooked but the 'confit belly' needs re-thinking - not a great idea. Jus was a bit salty, too.

Those who had desserts thought they were great and the cheese plate was fine - if uninspired.

The Car

Well, it all seems to be fixed! Running well and beautiful gear changes -- still amazed that Toyota were willing to pay for the gearbox/ecu.

Just need some snow to try out the AWD now!

The Car (yet again)

Well, it's back - and it seems to be fine. The new gearbox is doing what it's supposed to (as far as I can tell) and -so far - there haven't been any random gear changes, etc.

The Toyota dealer says the repairs cost £2500!

Watch this space ..