The Job (1)

A few words about what I'm doing here (or trying to do).

Firstly some background:

Romania has a single nuclear power station at Cernavoda.  Five units were planned however only two
were finished.  The three others are just shells and will require a lot to complete them (should a few billion Lei ever come available).



The reactor type is CANDU signifying that it uses heavy water as a coolant and moderator and natural uranium fuel.  Not surprisingly, the design is Canadian.  What is a bit surprising to the foreigner here is why a Canadian design was chosen over the more prelavent VVER design from Russia.  Most of the surrounding countries with nuclear power are firmly set in the Russian-designed technology.  When one starts to look into why this choice was made, it opens up the whole dialogue of how Ceausescu wasn't one for blindly following the Moscow lead but who was a bit of a renegade 'doing his own thing'.  The choice of CANDU reactors is a case in point - he didn't want to be too tightly controlled by Moscow on this technology, preferring to be independant.  As no uranium enrichment was required, this simplified fuel manufacture so it could all be done inside Romania (as it has been done so since the programme began).  He bucked the trend on a few other issues, notably refusing to sanction the Soviet Union's invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.  Ceausescu tried to keep one foot (just) inside the western Europe domain.  However, as we know, it didn't do him much good in the end, but that's for another post perhaps.

Cooling water is supplied from a channel off the Danube-Black Sea canal.  All waste is currently stored onsite.  Unit 1 started in 1996, Unit 2 in 2007. Both are rated at 700 MW output.

Canada is still quite involved in the site, particularly on upgrades, outages, repairs etc.  They clearly also built most of the apartment campus where I live (a clue being a large maple leaf embossed into the side of one building...). 

Constanta

On Sunday I drove to Constanta (or, more accurately, Constan'ts'a but this blog doesn't allow a 't' with a tail).  It's about 60 kms, or 40 mins.  I used the Satnav which got me quite easily into the centre where I parked (I'd upgraded the maps on the TomTom to Eastern Europe and it's very accurate so far).

The resort is not too large but with nice beaches along the Black Sea.  The town however is a bit variable with nice buildings (some undergoing renovation) but others where construction has just stopped. Dead (see right).

The town has a big port and is the gateway to the Black Sea-Danube canal which allows access through Romania, Bulgaria etc. into central Europe.

Some evidence of past glory is evident with the famous casino on the quayside (below).

Casino

I had lunch, walked along the shore for a while and then hit the motorway back to Cernavoda.  I gather that others from where I stay go to Constanta for an evening - the choice of restaurants is (somewhat) higher...

Marina

Dogs...

I'd gathered that dogs were...erm, an issue in Romania but I had no idea of quite how many there were.  They are everywhere, singly or in roaming packs.

I gather from a colleague that they love chasing cyclists so you need to be well armed when cycling - with a repellent spray ideally.  You see them mostly in the towns or villages (not surprisingly) but occasionally miles away from houses, walking exhausted along the side of the road in the heat of the day.

Then there are the dead ones...I suppose it's survival of the fittest (or fastest).  Flat(ish) on the road or bloated with legs in the air on the side....

Drive on...they're past help.

On the positive side, I have seen 2-3 dog rescue centres which, I assume, try to alleviate the problem probably through sterilization but they have their work cut out for them.

Next time our dog is looking miserable 'cos she's gone off Chappie dog food with added chicken and vitamins, I'll point out a few facts to her.

Home #2

OK, a week and a bit into the new job so time to put finger to keyboard a bit more.

My apartment, bottom left

I have an apartment in the 'Campus', my part of which was built about 10-11 years ago.  It's quite new and shiny still, is quite secure (security patrols/gate checks etc.) and about 1 km from work.  It's provided free by the plant ('CNE') and it includes daily muck-out, sheets, towels, electricity...). I just pay for food and the internet which works out at £15/month.  My apartment is on the left side of this block, ground floor.  It has air-con which is OK but the test will be in winter.  I'm not yet sure of the make-up of the inmates in our part, that will become apparant soon.  There are a number of Canadians about (CNE plant is a Canadian design).  I've already met a few of them.

Kinectrics provide me with a rental car (also in photo).  First time around, it's a Passat which is fine except for a knocking from the front joints when turning sharply.  Hopefully I'll get the same car again next time I'm out here as I am in the process of getting a car pass for the car park.

The campus has a couple of pools which are free to use.  Most apartments are smaller and older.  I have a feeling the the expats get the nicer ones.  There's a restaurant on site but only open at breakfast and lunch for station workers.  Apparantly you need special permission to go in if you're not a CNE employee.

It's a 1/2 mile walk into the town centre so not that far. More about the exciting selection of shops later...