All-star line-up for Genealogy in the Sunshine
There's an
incredible line-up of speakers for Genealogy
in the Sunshine, which takes place between 15th-22nd
March 2014 in the beautiful Rocha Brava resort on Portugal's Algarve coast.
Chris Paton,
the Irish-born but Scottish-based professional family historian, author and
tutor will give us an insight into the different techniques required when
researching in Scotland and Ireland, but even those who don't have Celtic
ancestry will find his talks invaluable.
Chris will
be joined by John Hanson, who
writes extensively on family history and has lectured all over England
(including at WDYTYA Live). Currently Research Director of the Halsted Trust, an
educational charity that promotes family history research through One-Name
Studies, John is a former trustee of the Society of Genealogists.
Our third main speaker
surely needs no introduction. As the Genealogist at the Society of Genealogists
since 1998, Else
Churchill not only writes and lectures extensively (she has a regular
column in Your Family Tree), she also
represents the genealogical community on key committees - for example, she sits
on the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Panel on National Records and Archives.
But the
good news doesn't stop there: Debbie
Kennett, author and Honorary Research Associate in the Department of
Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London will explain
how DNA testing can complement more traditional research methods and give
one-to-one advice, whilst Donald Davis -
whose ground-breaking research into the householder schedules for the 1841
Census was revealed earlier this year in The
Local Historian - will be explaining how his discovery can help us
interpret the entries that we see in the enumerator's books.
As well as
formal talks, panel sessions, and workshops there will be many informal
opportunities to pick the brains of the experts - and social activities too, so
it will definitely be a week to remember!
Note: all of the speakers have been LostCousins members
for many years, but that's just a happy coincidence - they were invited to
speak because of their vast knowledge and experience. (Mind you, even the
average LostCousins member is far more experienced than the people you'll find
on other sites!)
Non-participants welcome
If your
spouse, partner, other family members or friends want to accompany you they'll
be most welcome, and other than the cost of their flights it may not cost any
extra (although if they'd like to accompany you to the end-of-course dinner there
will be a small charge).
Travelling to Rocha Brava
The Rocha
Brava resort is just over an hour's drive from Faro airport, the only international
airport in the Algarve. There are direct flights from over 20 UK airports, most
with budget airlines.
Hire cars
are available at a reasonable cost when booked in advance. Over a number of
years Enjoy, a Norfolk-based consolidator, has consistently offered the lowest
rates and you can check their current rates here. Save even more by
bringing your own satnav, and by driving on the N125 main road, rather than on
the A22 toll motorway (it only takes 10 minutes more).
If you prefer
not to hire a car Shuttle Direct overs
a low-cost service (about £10 per person each way) from the airport terminal
all the way to Rocha Brava reception.
Weather
The
weather at Rocha Brava in late March isn't blisteringly hot - in fact it's very
similar to the weather you'd expect in England in June. This means it's
pleasantly warm during the day and when the sun's out (as it is for an average
of 7 to 8 hours a day) you can sunbathe at the resort or on one of the local
beaches. Of course, there is likely to be some rain, and as far as possible the
course timetable will be rearranged so that you can make the most of the sunshine.
It won't
be warm enough to swim in the sea, and the main pool resort isn't used during March.
However there is a smaller pool which
Shopping
The
recently-opened Aqua Centre in Portimao (about 15-20 minutes drive) is comparable with shopping centres in
England - there's a Jumbo hypermarket, and clothing stores include H&M,
Zara, and Primark. The underground car park is free - you don't even need a
ticket.
There is a
well-stocked minimarket in the resort (close to reception), but if you have a
car it's well worth driving to the Intermarche supermarket,
which is about 3 miles away on the road to Lagoa.
Cash machines
Currently
there is no ATM at the resort, but there are ATMs at Intermarche
and in Carvoeiro, about 2 miles away.
Sporting facilities
Rocha
Brava's tennis centre has 4 excellent hard courts (but please note that there
will be a tennis coaching course during the same week, so availability will be
somewhat restricted), and a fitness centre. If you are going to be using these
facilities regularly check to see what weekly passes are available.