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.
Monday 9 December 2024
Eats at Pitaya Thai, Clermont-Ferrand. Good size & kinda tasty, but overall bit disappointing. Can't win them all 
Monday 9 December 2024
Xmas lights in Clermont-Ferrand. Ooooh... sparkly!
Monday 9 December 2024
Driving in a winter wonderland 
Col des Issartets high point today @ 1123m. Hence the car: snail has no snow shoes.
Monday 9 December 2024
Only 2 hours in & first bakery craving shot of the trip! 
Quick stop for snack of quiche & gateau basque. Nom! 
Monday 9 December 2024
Road trip! But why the car? Sure, some of this could go on roof, but don't fancy 4000km drive with that wind noise
Thursday 5 December 2024
December Tourmalet. But crazy weather means on bike, not skis! Little snow on the road but no probs. Stunning day! 
Friday 29 November 2024
Col du Tourmalet. In shorts. On 29 Nov. Beautiful, crazy warm day!
Monday 18 November 2024
When it's grey down low... ride the Tourmalet! Warm & sunny from La Mongie & above. Crazy temps up here for mid Nov!
Wednesday 13 November 2024
Foggy morning with first dusting of snow on the peaks this winter. Looked amazing as the sun broke through!
Sunday 3 November 2024
Neighbour hasn't cut their grass all summer... about time they got round to it!
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
