thank you so much Julia and ladies - I hadn't thought of the sugar grind being a problem - to be honest I just became 'stuck' and couldn't think past where I was at and was working with what's supplied here. It's nice to think that while I'm sitting here ruminating over my problem in Western Australia that folk on the other side of the world can share in the conversation and lend a hand - a nice concept. Anyway I shall investigate the finer grinds of sugar, as our supplies must be this too course 6x grind I'm now certain. I will post up my success once I can find a supplier of the finer icing sugar, or as you call it confectioners sugar and I suspect I will no longer have problems.
Again thank you all - I'm happy to have a solution now to pursue.
kind regards
Kay 
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