Thanks for the replies, one and all. I will be following this up next week. I'm currently having a bout of insomnia in Maidstone. This bedroom is much too hot for me, even though the window is open. The fact that the window is open means that I can hear a song thrush with an unseasonal burst of testosterone and I was also disturbed by the 5.15 or whatever time it was in Maidstone West.
When you can't sleep then everything is a disruption. The pillow isn't quite soft enough, the blankets are a bit heavy on your feet, the clock is ticking too loudly.
I went through a spell of it a few years back, when i was at my heaviest ever (maybe coincidental) .
I read some advice that, although breathtakingly simple, bordering on stupid perhaps, seemed to work.
1) Never have naps during the day
My Father in Law seems to pride himself on not needing much sleep but the old bugger falls asleep in front of the TV about 10 times a day. Most films are a total puzzle to him.
Hardly surprising he wakes up early, he gets a decent sleep during the day.
2) Don't try to go to sleep...try to stay awake.
If I refuse to go to sleep, by reading and reading, then more often than not I'd wake up, with the book on my face after a good night's sleep.
Kindle Paperwhite is perfect for this as it doesn't disturb your partner.