Hi Roger,
I was interested to see your tip on obtaining a visa prior to departure, as I am going back to Nepal shortly (not with JY). I'm presuming you got this info from the Nepalese Embassy in London, and that you actually have to send it to them, along with your passport (which is not an option for me as I need it for other earilier trips).
On looking online, it is possible to download a tourist visa form from the www.nepalimmigration.gov.np prior to going (saves on having to have it done at Kathmandu Airport and join long queues). You need to be able to upload a passport photo, have the address of your hotel etc. etc. When you Submit it, you get a Submission Receipt with a barcode, which you print out and take with you to the airport where you get your visa. The cost is now $30 USD (£25 on my exchange rate) for a 15 day visa. You need to do it near to the time you are going.
Perhaps somebody who has used this method (I haven't yet!) could post on whether this is a quick (and much cheaper!) way of getting your visa?
Hope this helps anyone else going to Nepal - it's a wonderful country - enjoy!
Cheers,
Hils