Welcome to the site and I hope your wait for a lotty isn't too long.

Just remember - ask two gardeners a question, and you'll get three answers! Just goes to show a) that there's rarely only one way to do something, and b) if something goes wrong, it's probably not you who's to blame 

 Really really fed up with it now  we' re of on hols next wk 

 Got it on 3 this afternoon 

Finally the sun has come out but it's not particularly nice outside.

Someone on here mentioned a copper mesh rather then a tape. Had no experience of either but see what others think.