Thank for you clarifying your response Gordon, I now appreciate you meant in general you do not comment on benefits abroad. Thank you for the gov link and suggestions of where to get advice. Unfortunately face to face advice in my area is pretty limited hence my further plea for advice which Bro58 has kindly provided.
Bro58 - thank you for confirming it is 4 weeks (gutted as had hoped we could try spain for longer to see if it helps), oh well, I guess I should be grateful for any time!
Thank you also for the rightsnet link, very helpful to see actual case in play and implications.
Looks like if we do decide to travel it will be for under 4 weeks, although we will need to give it careful consideration.
Thank you Gordon and Bro58 for your very helpful advice. Once again Benefits and Work site is invaluable!