Time for a sideways and secure look perhaps Tudor?
Have a gander at the Devolo MicroLink dLan which uses your electric mains around the house to transmit at around 14Mbps.
Derived from the 'Homeplug' system you just plug in a translucent blue wall socket and pop a standard ethernet cable into the base of it. Next, connect the other end of the cable into your router/switch or ADSL modem. Add further sockets anywhere else you want around the house and you're in business - no setup, no drivers, no software at all - just connect.
Each socket is encrypted and your meter blocks any data escaping your property. A starter pack is £99 quid and a search on devolo will get you to their site.
Wireless is wonderful and it's well worth trying to see if it can work in Chez Owen but there are always excellent alternatives to the mainsteam bandwagon.
Regards
Rob