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.
Tuesday 19 November 2024
Return of Octave statue to his winter home in BdB. Couple of cheeky beers and a chat with our local pro. Nice event.
Saturday 19 October 2024
More random sightseeing: autumn forests and saying hi... erm... moooooo!... to cattle at the Col d'Aspin.
Saturday 19 October 2024
Random sightseeing by car: Sainte-Marie de Campan (bonus sheep expo), llamas of La Mongie & roadside waterfalls.
Saturday 19 October 2024
Showing a friend around Bagneres-de-Bigorre on market day. Naturally there are lots of tasty treats to try. Nom! 
Thursday 17 October 2024
Living in French countryside for ages, forgot how amusing having another nerd around can be. Pratiwi may disagree? 
Monday 7 October 2024
When a visiting mate loses his drone flying from the house! Bush bashing in steep forests & eventually found it. Yay!
Tuesday 15 October 2024
Home sweet home... sunset from the terrace 
Monday 14 October 2024
Random sights around San Sebastian... always a great place to visit.
Tuesday 15 October 2024
Lunch pt 2: some very decadent cakes with coffee & super thick hot chocolate. Yum!
Tuesday 15 October 2024
Lunch pt 1 @ La Cuchara de San Telmo: a tiny, packed bar that cooks pintxos fresh to order. Definitely worth waiting!
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
