On Sun, 7 Jun 2009 17:57:02 +0100, Hugh Jampton wrote:

As a test I tried to start it again today. Primed it 7 times as per the
instructions and it wouldn't start. Left it an hour or two and tried
again (without priming). It started.

You need to become as one with your two stroke...

They can be right bar stewards to start from cold. You need to learn what
produces the quickest start for your particular engine in relation to
priming, choke setting(s), pulls, attempts to fire, short run then stop
etc.

I pretty sure I or someone else has previously posted a blow by blow
account of how to start a 2 stroke that was pretty accurate and reliable.
Try google in this group or possibly uk.d-i-y.

--
Cheers
Dave.