Phew...
...I thought people were getting at me! It's those pesky examiners and instructors...
I am unconvinced that the bureaucracy surrounding the ratings renew process is a fundamental and serious part of flying. Please note, I do understand that I need a valid rating!
I will make the observation, when I got my licence, I probably knew a lot more of stuff I don't use than I do now two years down the line. I have learnt some new stuff too, some good and some bad (habits!).
Just for the record, I had a great instructor! Any memory failings are purely my responsiblity. That said, he did teach lots of things that weren't on the course sylabus.