A330 pilots who have commented on the flight characteristics of the aircraft on these threads indicate that the aircraft is a very stable machine which quickly recovers a stable flight regime even in ALT2. The aircraft seems to be designed to help the pilot as long as the pilot trusts the aircraft.
They have also commented upon how challenging hand flying A330 at altitude is.
Machinbird's point on "control strategy" strikes me as well made. His theme takes us back to currency, familiarity, and training in the modes of hand flying a pilot
may be exposed to.