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 you'll also find on Facebook and Twitter, and maybe a few other places too.
Microblog... everyday ramblings interspersed with posts from trips and other activities.
Friday 13 December 2024
Breakie at traditional German digs. Boiled eggs, cold cuts, etc. Prolly lucky I didn't see schnapps until leaving! 
Thursday 12 December 2024
Misty walk home (erm... back to our hotel) after dinner in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Spoooooky! OK, only slightly
Thursday 12 December 2024
Few beers & dinner with the family @ Alter Keller. Delicious food & good times. Definitely worth the 4,000km drive!
Thursday 12 December 2024
Happy snaps with the fam in a very Christmassy Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Thursday 12 December 2024
Unexpectedly asked to share some afternoon tea. Nom, nom, nom! Hope we aren't having a big dinner (preempting)!
Thursday 12 December 2024
Little stroll in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Cold & grey, so good excuse to visit a local tavern! Cheers! 
Wednesday 11 December 2024
Xmas markets in Basel. Lots of things to see... & eat! 
Lots of people here too but a very nice atmosphere 
Wednesday 11 December 2024
Evening walk from Germany to Switzerland... via France... as you do Lights on the Rhine looking nice at dusk
Tuesday 10 December 2024
Le Taj Mahal, Besancon. Asked if I'd like it "very, very hot", was sceptical (it's France) but wow, had a kick! Yum!
Tuesday 10 December 2024
Wondering around Besancon... nibbling churros & enjoying more sparkly lights. It's a beautiful place!
The below are collections of posts/images organised by trip or subject or other events. Click on the title or image to view each.
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!
England - Nov/Dec '23
Impromptu trip to England for handful of nights. Mainly to visit family with the bonus of catching up with and a few friends along the way. Very wintry feeling (and the usual pre-xmas silliness) but with stops at a couple of cosy country venues and plenty of our favourite food we made it through
