Thanks for the reply's, Bambi I think you may be right about the focus point, the lens I was using is very unforgiving at this sort of thing I get a very thin focal plane with it. I will take it on board.
Matt k my sympathies for the snow, we had one of our worst winters ever last year with an accumulation of between 5-10cm of snow in some areas. we closed schools, roads and factories. We can cope with rain but sun or snow we close the country!!!