In reply to sweenyt:
No worries. I did come across a little sharp!
Obtaining the required documentation to enter Tibet has been a real issue this summer. There's a lot of bad stuff happening and the Chinese simply don't want foreigners in Tibet. I'm also lead to believe the Chinese mountaineering authorities are making it very difficult for expedition companies to operate in the region.
Tibet 'closes' on a regular basis it seems. This is another period of instability and uncertainty for anyone wanting to go there. Disappointed not to be going, but a few events this week to family and friends put any selfish disappointment into perspective. And let's not forget the Tibetans who are being shit on each day but the Chinese.