Hi Nick,

Such a lovely day today isn't?

Regarding your questions:
1 When I add a cover, for some reason it adds a chunk of blank space which shouldn't be there - this has happened on a number of posts including this one - how i can prevent easy blog from adding this by default?
http://www.blatantlyblunt.com/index.php/Other/Rise-slide-in-london-kings-x-lipton-ice-2 tea-beadaybreaker.html
I am sorry, it seems like the blogpost's link given by you point to 404; post not found. However, I have inspected other blogpost, and I can replicate the issue. Can you try put this css override code in your current Joomla template and see how it goes.

div#fd.eb .eb-image-viewport::before{

  display:block;

}

2 How do i prevent each blog post from displaying the hit counter and the other info included on the attached image (capture.jpg)?
I am not sure what do you mean here because the attached image (capture.jpg) seems to be the EasyBlog toolbar. May I know do you wish to hide the EasyBlog toolbar from displaying here? To do this please maneuver yourself to backend > EasyBlog > Settings > Layout > Toolbar.

3 before the update was made, the previous and next blog post was displayed at the top of the blog post (capture2.jpg), before the main body of text begins - could this be done again please?
4 at the bottom of the post the google ad code is showing - google_ad_client = "ca-pub-2788749436247196"; google_ad_slot = "9546400810"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; could this be removed please?
As for question 3, you need to customize the code in order to achieve that. About the question 4, it seems to be the javascript function which is not in the <script></script> tag properly. Can you provide us with backend access and FTP access as well so that we can assist you fixing this issue directly on your site.

Hope this can helps and please advise.

3 - yes, however before the update one of your team did this for me as it's way beyond my understanding - would it possible for this to be done again please?

4 - yes please find info below.

Hello Nick,

I am sorry for the delay of this reply.

yes, however before the update one of your team did this for me as it's way beyond my understanding - would it possible for this to be done again please?

By right our support policy do not cover customization. However if you want to re-position the navigation toolbar, you can go to your /components/com_easyblog/themes/wireframe/blogs/entry/default.php and search for the following code at line 209,

<?php echo $this->output('site/blogs/entry/navigation'); ?>

and replace it approximately at line 37 in the same file. You can re-adjust the position according to your need by placing the code into another line.

4 at the bottom of the post the google ad code is showing - google_ad_client = "ca-pub-2788749436247196"; google_ad_slot = "9546400810"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; could this be removed please?

I've helped you to place the code with the correct format and the adsense is displaying correctly now.