@MikeB4 If you want to give it a go (to ensure it isn't a network problem) I'm happy for you to try on my WiFi.

And what happens if you say, log into your google photos account at your friends place on their PC?

@MadEngineer  I didn't think to test that method, I have not been out today but will try this. Thanks for that

I logged into Google Photos on a family members PC at their home which is on the VF network. The same result after an hour the photos had still not loaded. I have decided to give up on Google Photos. I have my photos backed up to One drive as well  so I will view them on line using One Drive, not the greatest but at least it works.

MadEngineer: Seeing that you’re going to stop using that service, I’d suggest erasing all the photos, uploading just a few and see if the performance returns to normal.

FWIW I’m a fan of it.

You could even check if you can get a family member to sign up for it and see how their account performs. If all is well, see what happens if you share your entire library with them.

My thoughts exactly. I am/was a fan of Google Photos and had been using it since launch. It is a pain that it has done this but I shall revisit it at a later date.