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.
Still great food, but atmosphere in a fave tapas bar much subdued due to health regs. Hope it's back to normal soon!
Evening in rather misty Arties (Val d'Arun, Spain). Love this little village, always beautiful even in this weather.
V.happy Pratiwi after glass or 2 of lunchtime wine, with great food of course, La Seu d'Urgell. Lucky I'm driving 
Cafe Orient, La Seu d'Urgell. 3 course lunch with slabs of meat & bottle of wine for 13E each. Welcome to Spain! 
Estany de Puigcerda. This little pond is quite an unexpected find in the middle of a mountain town. Pretty place.
Drove up, rode down. Main roads normally not good to ride, but this (N116) is twisty as & drops 1200m in 15km. Ye-ha!
Villefranche-de-Conflent: v.impressive on approach, but hard to photograph inside. So, erm, sorry few tourist pics
Argeles Plage beachfront by night. Plenty colourful cafe, bars & restaurants. And plenty busy even after August peak!
The below are collections of posts/images organised by trip or subject or other events. Click on the title or image to view each.
Lot, Tarn & around - June 2020
With 2020 being bit of a trying year decided to take things easy and have just a quick trip in June. Few nights away not far from home but even though, there was plenty to see and explore. Very warm period but we survived intact!
France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland - Autumn '19
Work in progress...
Paris long weekend - June '19
When you are asked to meet up in Paris with family flying in from Australia. Oh, OK then Not our favourite city but to be honest it grew on me a little this trip. No 'work' and mainly random tourist activities probably helped. As did warm summer days I guess. Although I'm sure plenty would say it was too warm in Paris at this time (it was quite toasty in parts!) - those people should live in Australia before making such complaints though
France, Andorra, Spain - Summer '16
Summer 2016 was spent mostly... playing in the mountains
We did move a bit, but even then, it was just to another part of the mountains
This topic will likely be the last episode in a while because life seems to be settling down into a more easy way of life without much movement. Well, at least for a few months it will be that way. Travel pics will likely return next year.
Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland - Spring '16
Spring 2016. Yes, still on holiday. Oops
Quite enjoying the Costa Blanca (can certainly recommend this as a winter cycling destination) but as the weather warms it's time to head back North.
Trip to Germany for the snail's safety inspection - can you believe it's a year already?! Which leads to the obligatory stop with friends both there and in Switzerland. Passing through an as yet unexplored part of the Black Forest & home via the Giant of Provence. Lovely stuff.
We really love the Pyrenees though so this is where the majority of our time will be spent this year I think. Ahem And why not - a dream come true to ride the Tourmalet through walls of snow above one's head is just one of the benefits!
