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Hi - this is a response to Lynn Ross and her query about Clive Cook. Clive is a friend of mine. He still lives and paints in and around Burgau - he's doing really well and has exhibitions in Lisbon. I'm sure he'll love to know people are asking after him.

Maggie - Cambridge

I can remember the discotheque that used to be out of town near the Sports Centre. It was called Myjeks originally and then was renamed as Mad Hatters. (Although that may be the other way around.) It actually had a car embedded in the wall.
I can remember meeting two famous people in Burgau. One was Billy Beaumont who was a Rugby player, and I think was connected in some way with the sports centre. I also met the lead singer of Mud - Les something, who I think recently died. I remember him sitting outside the Orange Bar in August singing 'Lonely this Christmas.'

Roy Beagley

Hi, I'm Mike Ford and first came out to Burgau in 1981 or 2, in the March a week after doing a deal in my hometown of Birmingham. I was on my own and just picked up a car at the shed (sorry, you'll know it as an airport now!). It was about 8 pm and I only had a very vague idea of where I was going, something about 1st or 2nd turn left after the Luz sign would get me there! A touch over an hour later I was driving into the village ( I still recon on the old road being quicker in those days, although I have to admit I don't hang about) drove down the slipway and then up the other, was astonished at the beauty of the place, but could not see anything mentioning the Vistamar. I went back out of the Village and headed up towards Salema around the coast road, did I say road! It started off as one, then a rough track by the cliff edge (I hate heights, I was thinking), by this time it was dark and then to.....nothing, no road left! I managed to reverse the Metro tentatively back up the very dark track without the aid of reversing lights until it became wide enough to turn around. Heading back into the village I spotted human life, well almost, it was actually the local policeman Joseph, I trust that is how you spell it, who was charming and in broken English said to turn this way, then the other and then pull up where you see the sign for Jimmy's bar. I was very grateful. I found my way round, walked into the bar and guess who was there; Joseph, he had come the quick way round. He was very happy to join me for a drink in recognition of my thanks for his help. That was the excuse for the first round anyway! He became quite a mate and it is still a great pleasure to bump into him in the village now as a retired policeman. The evening continued as I downed a few with the bar manager, Jimmy of Jimmy's bar, a broad Scotsman (broad in many ways) who knew his way around Burgau and Luz well. The night ended up at Myjeks disco bar, and I can remember to this day Jimmy struggling to get onto his Moped to weave his way home at 5 am in the morning.  I may tell more another day, I have spent so many wonderful times there and intend to spend lots more there in the future.
Regards Mike Ford. 

Walking through my kitchen I looked at the print I have on my wall of Burgau painted by Clive Cook back in the late 70s/early 80s. The print is a limited edition of 500. I was wondering what ever happened to Clive Cook?
After visiting Burgau for a holiday with my mum in 1990 I fell head over heals in love with the place, the people and as you can imagine the climate. In 1992 I then plucked up the courage to follow my heart and try to find work in Burgau and that is exactly what I did. I worked in Burgau for nine months until I got home sick and then returned to England, I still miss Burgau very much (even if it has been 12 years since I was there!!!!!)I would love to hear from people who were there the same time as me as I have lost touch with almost everyone.
 Lynne Ross (the little one from behind the bar) Birkenhead Merseyside

We came to Burgau in about 1979 I was 16yrs with all the family. Tehere were 9 of us and we stayed in the villa on the hill (I think we rented it off Beach Villa Holidays.)If anyone has a photo of it please let us know.The coach dropped us off at the top of the village and we walked up with all our cases. We arived and we had to go down to the tap to fetch water as it wasn't switched on. I went to the discoteqe with my 2 sisters and brother-in-laws it was at the end of a long road and there was a power cut on the way back.
Kathryn Halouva
Mansfield,Nottinghamshire