Thank you everyone for your kind posts!
Jandyt just PM'd me to ask if i'd seen this thread, and i hadn't !! 
My wife took me away for a few days for a relaxing break (i had raging man-flu but still enjoyed it though) and i packed my trusty macbook hoping to keep abreast of all beo-happenings. However, it was when we reached the middle of the forest where even the squirrels didn't carry mobiles that i realised broadband was going to be a bit of a long shot. One quick sweep by 'AirPort' revealed that nailing messages to wood pigeons would be the only form of written contact with the outside world.
However, i'm back, almost flu-free (interesting colours now appearing in a handkerchief near me.) and feeling much better. Not entirely convinced my 38 year age was launched onto the internet was a plan - i like to think of it as the 13th anniversary of my 25th. 
Once again, thank you everyone - i'm touched! 
Lee
BeoWorld - Everything Bang & Olufsen