Mail and photo issues - two part question!

Hello,

The Mail function on both iPad and iPhone stopped working a couple of days into a trip we just took out of the country. I had to sign into my Gmail account to receive and send emails and photos. It literally quit on June 9.... I've checked all the settings and can't figure it out even when a message appears saying I am not connected and to check settings.....so frustrating.

In addition..we imported new photos from our camera to photo stream and when I looked for an older photo, I realized that all the old photos were gone! I have different photos on camera roll...those taken with iPhones (emailed or my own) or my iPad. Is there a limit on the number of photos Photo Stream will hold - and if so...where did the older photos go???

Thanks for any help you can offer on either or both points. 😉