Welcome to Rob's World, the (cheesily titled) homepage of Robin Rainton.
Given I'm mainly too lazy/busy (take your pick) to write a full 'blog very often there's now a Microblog which I share to Facebook, and maybe a few other places too.
Microblog... everyday ramblings interspersed with posts from trips and other activities.
Thursday 1 May 2025
New wheel day! 
Might change that RD cable too. Literally hanging by a thread but was still working perfectly!
Sunday 27 April 2025
Trying to get the lawn back into shape after letting it get a bit too wild over winter. Familiar spring feeling. Doh!
Friday 25 April 2025
Decided mid-ride to add more kays but didn't bring enough fuel. Luckily this is why the patisserie was invented! 
Friday 25 April 2025
One of those 'waking up above the clouds' kind of days. Gonna be a good one! 
Sunday 20 April 2025
Ran into & was stung by a big black bee out riding the other day. Leg a tad swollen? Not painful just annoying! 
Saturday 19 April 2025
Wondering why our Internet is down. Ah, there's your problem! Think this is the main trunk line for a few villages
Friday 18 April 2025
Atop a random climb I didn't bother going up before. Nice view up here but road a bit sketchy on the descent. Doh!
Friday 11 April 2025
When you get home from cycling to find a huge plate of pasta & freshly baked cake waiting. She's a keeper! 
Tuesday 8 April 2025
Beautiful spring day for the Col de Spandelles. Hardly anyone else on the road up here. Doesn't get much better!
Friday 4 April 2025
New chain day! Oooh... shiny!
The below are collections of posts/images organised by trip or subject or other events. Click on the title or image to view each.
France/Germany/Austria - Dec '24
Well this is different! Winter road trip in the car. 4,000km through France and Germany then into Austria to meet extended family. If the rest of the gang can get here from Australia think we can do this, right?!
Many beautiful places, some new and some old (but new to us in their winter coat of snow). Lots and lots and LOTS of food, including more than a handful of exception experiences that will be hard to top.
Was super nice to meet the guys and even got a little skiing in. What more could one ask from a winter road trip?
48 hours in San Sebastian - Oct '24
When a friend tells you they will be passing through San Sebastian... should we meet up? Of course! Any excuse to spend a couple of days there!
Madeira - Sep '24
Madeira - the island of eternal spring. A short break to catch up with family.
Good times spent eating, drinking and just hanging out. Interspersed with driving tours of some favourite, and some new spots.
This isn't a cycling destination - too many 'main road only' routes and tunnels aren't ideal, but... a wonderful island for scenic and unusual walks alongside the network of levadas and in the beautiful highlands. Sadly recent bush fires have closed some of the most picturesque and famous routes, but we still found plenty to enjoy.
Another very successful trip!
France & Italy - Summer '24
A trip to the Alps is becoming our (erm... my?) go-to summer excursion, so off we go again. But... the strange weather of 2024 continues and things didn't quiet go to plan.
Never mind, a detour along French & Italian Riviera isn't exactly a hardship! After that and a brief stop in the Italian lakes (always a pleasure) then back to the mountains via Aosta valley & a return to France.
So not to plan, but always an adventure. Great food, walks, hikes and some epic cycling of course!
24 hours in San Sebastian - Jan '23
Early birthday celebration in the city of gastronomic delights!
