Well, what kind of Christmas did you have? A great one, I trust.

Personally, I thought Santa was a little unadventurous this year. I got a sensible set of winter tyres, which was very welcome. Because, as all-seeing Santa will know, I had a scary – if festive – incident a few years ago, which involved me sliding sideways through a holly bush. So these days I take no chances when the weather gets a wee bit icy.

Given that I got the tyres, I hate to sound ungrateful – but the funky tartan gear-stick knob I asked for never materialised. And nor did the chrome horn-covers. They would’ve been awesome.

(I’m not sure whether these gifts are commercially available, but I thought Santa’s elves might’ve been able to knock something up for me in their workshop.)

Not many cars are lucky enough to get a visit from the chubby, red-clad chappie with the reindeer and sleigh, but then not many cars spend Christmas Eve in a custom-built garage with a chimney, like I do. If I told you where it is, I’d have to kill you. Or at least beg you not to breathe a word to anyone else.

Anyway, that was then. That’s soooo last fortnight. But now I’m looking forward to 2012 and all it brings. I hope you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead.