Well thanks everyone!
As usual the thread has drifted a little.
AVMAN's cynicism is unfounded I'm afraid as my access to the internet here is ..err.. variable to say the least. Hence the delay.
As for the reason for the MAYDAY then it could have many things not least of all an incapacitated fellow aviator and my concern was genuine for all concerned.
Can I just finish by saying that I have been aware of other MAYDAY flights coming into control zones in the past but this was the first time I had a chance to listen to a large amount of the service provided by ATC and I'd just like to say that I thought it was first class. Heaven forbid that I ever have to declare but if I do I can at least rest assured that the service I get from the ground will be top notch.