Debs

Debs

New Member
Hi everyone, this is my first post here but have been browsing and it's the best landy forum I've come across!

We (me and my husband) are going to Romania beginning Oct to take spare medical supplies and baby stuff over that is surplus from my work as a neonatal nurse.
So, we have 3 weeks to get there and back and want to see as much as possible but not be too knackered with endless driving. Not really interested in cities, do like lots of 'real life culture' type stuff.

Ideas anyone?

Looking at perfect destinations I came up with 15 countries in our journey, however we only have 3wks off work and that includes R&R when we get back! We live in the NW England so it's going to take a day to get down to most ferry ports realistically.

Any comments most welcome x
 
:) Hi and Welcome

You both have a lot ahead of u, it's still a shame that so much is still required within Romania.

If any1 can help it will b this rowdy bunch on ere, keep us posted :)
 
Thanks very much. As I type my other half is fitting a bed half way down the back of the truck. We used the same idea with another 100 we had, bottom half for all our stuff and then a 'bed' on top. This one should be a bit better with it being a highcap and he's made a tall backbody for it so we can sit up in it too.
 
Hello,
I'm from Romania and as member on this forum I will be pleased to help you on your trip. I called it trip because an expedition is more appropiate for Africa or far Scandinavia or Mongolia from my point of view.
Be patient, it will not be the toughest ride of your life and as long as myself and my wife toghether with our 1 1/2 year son succeeded to came from Newcastle(returning from Norway) to London and back to Romania in a New Beetle, for you, armoured in a LR will be a pice of cake.
If you intend to help the neonatal hospitals you are wellcome, check the flooded areas of the N of the country(right now we have some massive floods in this area),but don't be dissapointed when seen our doctors in Mercedes and BMW.
Really think that the image about Romania is a little bit TV-inspired.

Funny thing is that I'm also planning an expedition to Scotland with my Disco.
 
Debs said:
Hi everyone, this is my first post here but have been browsing and it's the best landy forum I've come across!

We (me and my husband) are going to Romania beginning Oct to take spare medical supplies and baby stuff over that is surplus from my work as a neonatal nurse.
So, we have 3 weeks to get there and back and want to see as much as possible but not be too knackered with endless driving. Not really interested in cities, do like lots of 'real life culture' type stuff.

Ideas anyone?

Looking at perfect destinations I came up with 15 countries in our journey, however we only have 3wks off work and that includes R&R when we get back! We live in the NW England so it's going to take a day to get down to most ferry ports realistically.

Any comments most welcome x
Click to expand...


welcome
please dont take this the wrong way !! but why cant you give these spare supplies to great ormond street or jimmy`s in leeds as you would be passing them on your way ?? as the saying goes charity begins at home
 
Really think that the image about Romania is a little bit TV-inspired
Click to expand...
I suppose it depends where you go really, am in contact with a few different charities and have seen very recent pictures of poor conditions - in comparision to where I work which is a very rich hospital with all the latest technology and gadgets. Thanks for your comments, will bear the North in mind.

but why cant you give these spare supplies to great ormond street or jimmy`s in leeds as you would be passing them on your way ??
Click to expand...
Don't worry, I wouldn't take offence! The supplies are from a NICU in the northwest and cannot be used again (legally) in this country due to 'single use' being printed on everything.
The items have been previously opened accidently- eg syringes /part used - for example large dressings with corners cut off/ sterile packs of single use instruments(like forceps/scissors) that have had one item taken from them but cannot be called sterile once opened and things like that.
Lots of things like nappies and cotton wool are stored in the babies incubator or cot and once the baby no longer needs them, cannot be put back into general circulation due to 'superbug' being plastered all over the news.
I have worked in Jimmys and have regular dealings with GOS and know these items would not be used there.

This trip was originally just a holiday but became something more when a few of us at work discussed all the perfectly good bits and bobs we throw away in a normal working day!!

Hope the above makes sense, it's hard trying to explain how very careful and clean everything has to be for very sick and very premature babies... if you imagine I need a 2ml syringe and accidently open a 5ml syringe, I can't just reseal it or leave it on the side until someone else needs it, so it goes in the bin...however if you have no alternative then you would be grateful for that unused item. I have seen povery in the Gambia and was so frustrated watching the nurses struggle to find the most basic things that I have to hand at all times at work.
 
The supplies are from a NICU in the northwest and cannot be used again (legally) in this country due to 'single use' being printed on everything.
The items have been previously opened accidently- eg syringes /part used - for example large dressings with corners cut off/ sterile packs of single use instruments(like forceps/scissors) that have had one item taken from them but cannot be called sterile once opened and things like that.

Seems that I have a language barrier, but do you really intend to bring to Romania unsealed syringes or un-sterile stuff? Please note that in Romania we also have syringe factories(1 or 2) and even in the top of the mountain the nurses are using sterile syringes and stuff.
If you are going to give unsealed or non-sterile products the reaction of staff can be unexpected(after AIDS problems in the 80-90's the things are now different). Also will be a good idea to check with the local UK Embassy about this as it seems that the legends are never ending about Romania.Any comparison with Gambia or Namibia is pure fantasy!
Otherwise Angelina and Brad would be here before you!

Please don't missunderstand me, we welcome visitors to Romania, but now we are also members of E.U. and what is not legal in the UK in Romania can be more un-legal.

I thing that due to your practical experience in neo-nato area, some medical procedures that are not yet availlable here will be more appropiate.
But... It's your adventure, I was just trying to offer you some real-life image.
 
Debs said:
Hi everyone, this is my first post here but have been browsing and it's the best landy forum I've come across!

We (me and my husband) are going to Romania beginning Oct to take spare medical supplies and baby stuff over that is surplus from my work as a neonatal nurse.
So, we have 3 weeks to get there and back and want to see as much as possible but not be too knackered with endless driving. Not really interested in cities, do like lots of 'real life culture' type stuff.

Ideas anyone?

Looking at perfect destinations I came up with 15 countries in our journey, however we only have 3wks off work and that includes R&R when we get back! We live in the NW England so it's going to take a day to get down to most ferry ports realistically.

Any comments most welcome x
Click to expand...

Your trip sounds like its well motivated and so the best of luck to you. incidentally if you are passing through Austria on your travels, i don't suppose you could bring me a pork pie and a jar of branstons? i will put the kettle on for ya so you can av a nice cuppa tea for your troubles;)
 
Thanks for your concerns. We have been dealing with UNICEF so all the issues raised are being dealt with at the moment.

Do you want original Branston or the ghastly smooth stuff they make to go on butties?:D
 
Seems that I have a language barrier, but do you really intend to bring to Romania unsealed syringes or un-sterile stuff? Please note that in Romania we also have syringe factories(1 or 2) and even in the top of the mountain the nurses are using sterile syringes and stuff.
If you are going to give unsealed or non-sterile products the reaction of staff can be unexpected
Click to expand...


Think I confused you a bit really with my bad examples, it's hard to explain without going into all the technical terminology!! There isn't anything 'unclean' or 'used' and UNICEF are assisting us with what is needed.
Often we replace our suppliers as new products are available, creating an unwanted surplus of 'old-style' stuff. It's perfectly good but the boss would rather use newer stuff. We also get many trial samples of equipment we never use.
 
The message from Romania seems to be that now they are in EU the EU (us) is providing the money so they can afford to buy the overpriced new stuff that is produced in the EU , maybe you need to reassign your surplus to somewhere outside the EU eg africa whre it will still be warmly recieved
JMHO :confused:
 
Thanks for your thoughts, we are waiting for my medical contact within UNICEF to get back to us after speaking to particular neonatal units.
We are also taking lots of baby blankets and clothing that can be used for newborns.
 
You can visit the remote area of Romania, not those from touristic brochures. You can visit small villages in the Apuseni Mountains. You have a lot to see in Romania, to much for 3 weeks, but I can make a few suggestions for you
 
Thanks RaceToBamako, that's exactly what we want. Please can you give me some more details? Thanks x
 
That depend of the region where you travel in Romania, where you want to distribute the "medical supplies and baby stuff". I can't help you with that!:mad:
What i can do, is to find nice places, interesting thinks to see or to do, near those regions.
What is you plan: do distribute the medical supplies and baby stuff and after that to see the country?
 
Debs said:
Thanks for your concerns. We have been dealing with UNICEF so all the issues raised are being dealt with at the moment.

Do you want original Branston or the ghastly smooth stuff they make to go on butties?:D
Click to expand...

ORIGINAL!!! there's only 1 Branstons!
 
Coming back to the trip ideas:
-if you planned to enter Ro from the NV border,from Hungary (Bors-border point) you can go to the Maramures area where is one of the traditional touristic area in the country with wooden churches and wellcoming people. Also there you can visit the Sapinta village, where the Merry Cemeterry is(wellknown for the happy epitaph and funny drawings on the people's grave).For the best ideas visit Romanian Monasteries - Bucovina, Maramures, Travel to Romania where you can find out more. After that you can go to the N-E of the country where are the monasteries that are 5-600 years old,area called Bucovina.You can also visit Sighisoara that is a middle-age city that is still populated ;down to Brasov you can see the Viscri village where Prince Charles is having a house and little farm, place visited very often by himself.Also near Brasov is Bran Castle, place wellknown as Dracula's Castle(even if there are very few things in common with Dracula here).

All these places are mainly in the mountain area, with supperb landscapes and views.
Also if any (unwanted!) mechanical problems with the Defender there are also 4x4 clubs here with many members happy to help with repairs.

Hope that this will help with your plans for the expedition!

Cheers,
Flavius.
 
Thats brilliant thanks Flavius! We will have a look at you route on the map and do a bit of research online.
 
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