great description of exactly what I was doing.
I didn't notice the trans was particularly slow to respond, though I did confuse it enough to make it lurch once or twice by hitting upshift just after getting moving off in 1st. I think it went 1-2-1 within a couple of seconds.
I said the same thing to Tim about it. Relatively quiet, compliant ride, substantial feeling. And no squeaks or rattles despite 200k km / 120k miles on it.