Some great advice and much appreciated. Have a few more questions though:-
1) if you have a gprs enabled phone (like I do) then to get the internet/email up and running with a laptop do you simply connect via infrared, bluetooth or cable? Is there any connection software required for this?
2) is buying a pcmcia card for your laptop necessary if you have a gprs enabled phone? Or does it give you a more reliable connection perhaps rather than connecting via cable etc? Not sure I understand the point of these cards if you have a gprs phone.
As you can see I am leaning towards being completely self sufficient here. I have been to schools before and sat waiting around for ages whilst other students hog the 1 free pc. Conversely after a day of ATPL studies I am not sure I will be motivated to find the local library. I like the idea of "sharing" someones wifi connection though. Had a mate do it with his laptop not so long. Goes to show how many people aren't careful with security....