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.
Monday 10 March 2025
In Toulouse today so lunch @ Le Mekong. Just what we like: simple place with tasty dishes! Cool Airbus posters too.
Friday 7 March 2025
Cleaning the car after a little... erm... off-road excursion 
Don't worry, no damage done.
Tuesday 1 April 2025
Spectacular spring day up the Aspin. Rarely stop on the descent but had to capture snowy peaks under that blue sky!
Monday 17 March 2025
Blue skies, fresh snow & empty pistes. Eating sangers in the sun. Probably last day of the season for me though 
Friday 7 March 2025
When you take friends round the village & they visit every boulangerie. Gateau degustation at afternoon tea! Yum! 
Friday 7 March 2025
Showing visitors around a kindof snowy, kindof frozen Lac de Gaube & Pont d'Espagne. Got real lucky with the weather!
Thursday 6 March 2025
Finally got round to trying one of our other local Asian options. Better late than never! Nom, nom, nom!
Thursday 27 February 2025
Little lunch outing in Tarbes. Burger & a cheeky pint of Kwak. Don't mind if I do. Cheers! 
Friday 28 February 2025
When you come home from a ride and the house smells of freshly baked cake. Super nice surprise treat! Yum!
Wednesday 19 February 2025
When wife has friends over for lunch so you're banished outside with nowt but leftover dip (& beer). #NoComplaints
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!
