Ahoy there maties from the crows nest in Lhasa. The rag tag, against all odds, made it round China with no guide book and only the ability to say xiexie (Thank you) - which was used for both thanking a waitress for food and shouting after petty thieves when they had stolen your wallet. So after a trip to see some giant pandas in Chengdu (gee mom - they're so cute - can I have me one), we flew to Lhasa in Tibet. Lhasa is the dream. The Tibetans are a lively bunch - donning smiles to show both rotten and golden teeth in equal measures. The potala (Dalai Lama's old pad) is stunning and watching the Tibetans prostrating in front of (and around the outside of) the Jokhang temple is quite a spectacle. One guy who was fully geared up in a formula one asbestos suit was really diving into his prostrations - must have scuffed his knees and elbows last time.... Comment of the holiday to date was born on the bus from the airport, where a Canadian girl thought she was acclimatised for high altitude trekking as she had been on 3 plane rides in the last week. One word springs to mind - BELM! Tomorrow we are off on a 2 day death or glory mission, just to get to the start of the Everest trail. It is then a 6 day hike in and out of base camp, and we are harbouring hopes of going higher if possible - food, avoiding people who want permits and none of us hanging out the back permitting. I'm a jolly exicted chap! After soaking in the very beginnings of Tibetan buddhism, it is now back to our Chorley ways as we seek out somewhere that is showing the Engalnd Wales footy match tonight. Chances are low but the rag tag have got the knack in this country. Got to go and put my St George face paint on..... xiexie Messner