OK * sigh * I have been waiting for a dry ( less humid day ) but sucked it up and put the first coat on this morning, you could almost hear the timber sucking up the oil it was so dry, there were tiny bubbles coming out of the little surface cracks on the top and on the legs as the oil went in !!!!!
I used the Tung oil ( Kitchen Oil containing 90% tung oil ) turps polyurethane mix and so far it is looking good.
I will go and rub it back shortly but I doubt there will be much left on the surface to rub as it just soaked in so fast.
I will post some photos when I can
Many many thanks to all who have commented and advised on this !!!
cheers doug