I have been struggling with this problem for ages and through different atahualpa themes and have finally given up trying to find a solution by myself.

Whatever I do/ change in Atahualpa theme options - Configure Excerpts, nothing changes on my homepage.

I want either to show a longer excerpt (200 words or so and at least one picture) or one full post and then excerpts.
Even if I reset settings or download excerpts plug ins - the format and length of my excerpts does not change. I am getting really frustrated with this

Please help!

http://hungryinlondon.com/

What version of Atahualpa? What are you excerpt settings?

Excerpt length: 300
don't strip: <p>
Custom read more: [...]
Posts or excerpts on HOME page? only excerpts
Show the first X posts on HOME page as full posts? 1
and the rest is set to only only excerpts

I am using Atahualpa 3.6.4 (but it was the same in about 5 previous versions that I have used)

Thanks!

Not sure but see if this thread helps.

Thanks, I have replace the code, did not change anything unfortunately.
let me know if you have any other suggestions...

Are you using a "Read More" in your posts? That will override the excerpts.

it does say 'read more' at the end of every post, but this appears to be the default settings that Atahualpa give me (I haven't changed/installed anything). Would I need to change/delete anything?

You indicate your Custom read more is set to Custom read more: [...] so that is what you SHOULD see at the end of the excerpts. Are you using any excerpt plugins? Could you export and attach a copy of your theme style?