Hello there. Deputy Editor Steve Gibbs here.

I'll be running the Update for the next couple of weeks as our esteemed editor Chris, takes a very well earned break. Here's hoping a couple of weeks relaxing in the warmth is just what he and Trish need following their awful car accident. I was distressed just looking at the pictures of his car - so goodness knows how they were both feeling. Hopefully this deserved break will be just what the doctor ordered.

Anyway, whilst I say I'm here, I'm not really. I am in fact writing this from the past. Wednesday to be precise. Today (Friday) I am in northern France attending the Kubota European Agri Convention. I'll report back on what was said and launched at this next week.

So my point is, if this Update seems slightly on the brief side I apologise, but it's because I had to effectively sign it off on Wednesday.

Also if Thursday saw the red mowers merge with the green ones, or if Friday morning found Glee moving to an outside venue in February, and you're quite rightly wondering why it's not reported here - that's the reason.

So whilst we're both away it would be great if you could do us a favour and take a couple of minutes to fill out our Q4 Dealer Survey please. We've had some great responses to these this year, both in terms of the hard stats we get from you filling them out and indeed from your comments.

We'll include the data we gather and some of your thoughts in the next print edition of Service Dealer. So please let us know how this season is going for you and if you've got a industry related grumble you want to get off your chest, please feel free to share!

Cheers.