Fri 30 Sep - A good evening in VdO with a 'pick and mix' from the local shop of hams, sardines, olives, toms, asparagus and bread for supper all washed down with a 2 euro bottle of the local wine. COP start but Paolo the owner of the AdP was especially cruel in the morning as he was cooking bacon and eggs when we left! It was a really good AdP (called AdP Villares de Orbigo 0034 987132935) and is only 1 year old. Had a couple of short stops on the way today for a rest and a snack as we were not certain just how far we would go today and this inc a stop in Astorga which had a very large and impressive church. Should we be surprised by how many churches and crosses the camino passes? Scenery has improved again today with more trees and general vegetation as well as more bends in the path so that you cannot see too far ahead. No web or wifi today so ths is being posted on 1 Oct, but at least today there is a good internet connection and I have been able to upload more phots - the link will be posted later. Interestingly, although there is often web and or wifi available and there is an organization that oversees the AdPs there does not seem to be any effort to collate info about the AdPs. For example, we have twice got to our planned destination to find that the AdP has been closed for more than 1 year. We also arrived at one large town with only 1 AdP to find that it was closed for 3 days - probably for de-infestation! - This info would have been good to know before we left the last AdP and made our plans. Furthermore, if the AdPs or pelegrinos had access to a web site for such info then they could advise others about good or bad AdPs. With advertising on the site as well as AdP contact details this could be a winner - one for Mike or AJ to consider? Off towards Acebo tomorrow and staying in El Ganso tonight in another great AdP and it looks like the local bar has lasagne so Smeagol is happy - I think he needs a substitute for icecream as he already knows the Spanish selection by heart and I think it is the only Spanish words he knows so he can ask for his favourite with ease!