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 ..

The Car (again)

Well, it got more interesting. The Toyota dealership finally acknowledged that the Rav4 has the ECU/Gearbox problem that affects part of the 4.2 series.

On Wednesday, they rang to explain the problem to me (Ha!) and to say that they were waiting to see if Toyota would pay for the repair!

To my amazement, they rand again on Thursday to say that Toyota had agreed to replace the ECU and gearbox, but that it would take a few days. I'm really quite astounded and my confidence in Toyota is restored.

Of course, many a slip ...

Ummm ....!

It's back at the dealership again! They've sworn to fix it properly this time, but I'm getting my lawyer primed to go ....  shame, it's a great car to drive and intimidates almost everyone ...

If it doesn't get fixed - this is where I'll be starting my campaign against a particular Toyota dealership.....

DON'T GET MAD: GET EVEN!

The Car's back ...

All fixed (or so they say) -- we'll see. Nice to have a big vehicle again -- get my own back on all those people who tried to dominate the Smart.

The 'New' Car

So, I bout a used car. So far, I've had it for rather less than 2 hours!

Here it is being taken back to the dealer!

Kat

We have a new cat (her name is Kat).

She's about 2 years old and was found abandoned with her 2 kittens (they've also been adopted).

Pictures follow.

Christmas day

Says it all, really ...