Well i haven't gotten far, and i'm stuck already.
I can't seem to get through the barheim passage alive!
I've even tried fleeing from the monsters that are not "Mimics" but boy those Zombies can run fast!

Any clues gratefully received as i'm starting to pull my hair out!!

Kill the Battery Mimics before they drain the power - this will keep the lights on, and you won't have to fight any Zombies.

Having said that, it might be a good idea for you to level up on these monsters a bit: stay near a Save Crystal until you can get through them fairly easily.

Fighting the zombies is a very good way to gain levels early on as they give good experience even up until raithwells tomb (Which is a while later). If you just want to get out alive and don't care how then just make sure that you kill the battery mimics as quickly as possible so they don't drain the power.

thanks people.
Its not just the zombies, its the other monsters that come with them.
Even my "Protect" doesn't seem to do much!

What levels are you?

Its not just the zombies, its the other monsters that come with them.

The Skeletons are very useful, not only because they give good experience, but they can drop very effective armour if you chain them. Like I said before, stay near a Save Crystal and level up, and you should be fine.

I found it to be a tough area. The save crystal suggestion works a treat and once you start to find enemies easier (level 8 the guide I bought recommends) you should be fine. Make sure those healing gambits are in action too!