Problem logging on to POL

My POL is having trouble when it gets to "Retrieving Messages" all I can find in reference to this is a 10 year old post that basically outlines my EXACT problem. http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/forum.html?forum=29&mid=1085790945449036155
I logged out in the dunes... lost connection just before the logout timer had finished and now I can't complete the login process on POL. Every other aspect of my internet is fine, no-one else and none of my other games has a single issue with the network, and I was playing fine until I got to Valkurm.

Any help would be great... I have just bought this game for the second time to give it another go... and it's not turning out too great.