Thank you, I'll bank that quotation if I may!
Thanks also for the hints and tips. I'll take your advice and have a go; one step at a time and solve the problems as they arise, and I'll report back once I have some code to post....some code that works, that is. :o
Another approach, one that I use, is if you have a time critical process. Just toss in a second processor for that purpose. Problem solved in one fell swoop at the cost of a decent lunch.