Thanks, I am slowly beginning to feel as if I am getting somewhere but not sure.
The empty cart issue appears to be a pc problem as it was working ok and then went wrong but on another pc it was fine again. I have had some issues with saving new products and the screen going blank - refresh and when you check your products it has added it twice. Not sure if a pc issue but had it on both desktop and laptop so maybe not or a hosting issue (currently hosted on lcn).
I will keep at it but not looking as quick as I was hoping.