I have it in Writing!!!!

Yes its true
I've got the fabled bit of paper.
Richard gave it to me yesterday and I've just signed it and returned it to HR
It says I will come back on the 2 April as a Senior Dev on a 23% pay rise. Also
if I'm back promptly I get this years 2 grand bonus which I would have lost out on.
So now quite the sabbatical that I wanted but close enough. Also I don't have to do
a probation period and so it won't hurt my pension too much.

So they were as good as their word and I will look forward to getting back in April.