I've found that calling government offices can sometimes be extremely helpful. Civil servants are often very smart, and sometimes very bored. Also, unless they

I've found that calling government offices can sometimes be extremely helpful. Civil servants are often very smart, and sometimes very bored. Also, unless they are in a position where they regularly face the public, talking to "civilians" can scare them a little - they don't want to be accused of stuffing up. (As long as you are talking off the record, not getting written advice - they hate paper-trails. Written advice is to "double check" that it's all OK). They can really go out of their way to give free advice.