At long last, after 2 1/2 years, got my rusty butt back in the air behind the controls of an airplane. Conditions were fair, but challenging- 10 miles vis. in haze, and variable gusty winds out of the west/northwest.  It's all a blur now, sort of, but in a nutshell, it went well. The CFI and I both agreed afterwards that I should take another hour or so of dual before being turned loose with a rental.
As I predicted, basic airplane-handling skills were still there (although this 180-hp "Superhawk" C172 took me a little by surprise... a solid if somewhat beaten-up old Cessna with a tendency to refuse to trim off the way I wanted it to). No, really- it wasn't me, it was the airplane...
But naturally some old bad habits re-emerged: eyes inside too much (I have to mention that 10 miles in haze is not the best conditions for relying on visible horizon, etc., but I'm not making excuses); didn't use the checklist after levelling off for cruise (gasp!) or during a go-around (it wasn't my idea- the first approach was pretty good). And I see the point in glancing at the checklist at such a time... last thing I want to do during a go-around, but it caused me to be late retracting flaps.... let's see, what else? My pattern work was very poor, mostly because I was not visually monitoring my drift (gusty variable winds to add to my misery).
The worst moment was when, after maneuvering around a bit doing steep turns, etc., he asked me to find out where I was and plot a course to Caldwell. Had to circle a bit, because I was just not sure where I was. Okay, I circled for a long time (which was good practice, really... ), and when I'd finally tuned and ID'd a VOR radial and began to turn towards Caldwell, the CFI pointed out that I'd been right near the home airport the whole time- he'd cleverly guided me back there earlier while calling out headings during the maneuvers.
D'Oh!!
Did very well on MCA, but did let her sink a bit too much, especially after he covered up the instruments. Been a long time since I flew with such a vague horizon- it was not easy, especially with the bumps of turbulence. And looking back, I realize it had been so long, the sheer novelty of the situation was sort of a distraction in itself... I was flying!!
  Made only one landing, after an even sloppier approach- touched down on all three wheels- not good. Not too  bad, but  I've done better, that's for sure...
But my 180 to enter downwind after overflying the field was perfect, if I may say so. I really feel like I was just getting warmed up... 

Anyway, another hour in the ol' logbook, and with due diligence and another hour of dual, I should be rust-free and ready for polishing.

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Have you ever found an aeroplane you've been able to trim how you want it? If so, let me know!

Glad to hear you're getting back in the air!

Charlie (3 sets of trimmers and still I can't go straight and level! )

Maybe I'm a minority here, but I've never had a problem with trim in the old Cessna that I am learning in.

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lol.. i remember the Griffin simulator has the same method if not alike..
Press down a button on the stick, and it trims for that position..  a bit freeky when your just trying to land the damn thing..