[Nicola_Red]

Yeah that was the one, some stories just stick in the mind forever, as certainly will this, its that 'turned my back for a minute thing' like with James Bulger. Thats why everyone fears the worst because all sorts of harrowing stories with the most daunting outcomes have hit our papers in recent years.

This isn't 'turned my back for a minute' though. This is 'left three babies alone in a hotel room while we ate dinner'.

The parents claim they could see the room from where they were eating - I'm not sure how true that is. To answer the post (I think it was boboff) who asked if the hotel advertised that children could be left alone safely - I haven't heard that. I do know, as I mentioned in my first post, that the hotel offered a creche service.

[Yudster]

All absolutely true. I'm still not sure that sitting in judgement on the parents is the way forward though.

[Mcqueen_]

That shows the proximity of the Tapas Bar and hotel room

[SAV1OUR]

Even at flippin center parcs (the place for commoner families like mine) offered a Creche service, the kids they looked after while we were out did everything except lie in bed while we were gone..they were sleepwalking, yes it is documented (well kinda) that one of them was trying to get out of the sliding door and play with the squirrels in the woods at an untimely hour in her sleep. Unbelievable.

I didn't know they were out enjoy a pleasant meal of chardonnay and caviar at the time, or whatever it was they were chomping down, that 2 weeks ago will now be a world away from what they are going through, they probably wont be able to keep anything down as they'll be sick with worry. I just hope that this registers with every parent in the land, if I had a pound for verytime I've heard a mum say "Its the kind of thing that always only happens to other people's kids" I also doubt the expression "Its a small world" will ever be used in the McCann household, because its clearly anything but that witht he whole world willing her to be found.

[Ballbag]

Topher the Bopher, I agree with you that issue has been popping into my head quite alot, it's just not mentioned on the TV at all.

Booboff, I agree with you, it's a very delicate issue to discuss and thus should be done so carefully.

Yudyud and Saviour, you write way too much so I haven't read your posts, sorry.

McQueen, nice graphic.

Nicola Red, I also agree with you, and thank you again for the picture you sent.

Kendra Ka, nice attempt at a web-site link. Nice hair too.

Demon horse, the possibility entered my mind, but I thought better than to publicise it.

On that subject though, why has there been such a "raise money" attitude towards this child search, I've not known anything like it before when someone goes missing...... discuss.

[Nicola_Red]

Nicola Red, I also agree with you, and thank you again for the picture you sent.

You are welcome, sweetie.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

I just hope the poor kid is found safe and well. Does anyone remember Ben Needham?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Needham

[Yudster]

I do - first thing that popped into my head when she went missing was "oh no, not another Ben Needham".

[Nicola_Red]

We now have posters up all over the building including the box office counter, collection boxes and buckets and yellow ribbon pins. It's getting on my nerves a bit but cos it's come from on high I can't really say anything...

[Yudster]

Whats with the yellow ribbons? Why? I have never understood that. Putting flowers and "tributes" where total strangers have died is another one that always perplexes me.

[Ballbag]

It's hard not to sound insensitive when saying "this thing has turned into a media circus"........but that's the fact of the matter...... it has.

[Vivienne]

OK, time for some serious debate...

What's your opinion on this poor girl's parents? I know they've been defended agains the criticism by some, but personally I can't understand why they left their kids in that home alone. I know they said they were checking every half hour, but surely with hindsight they can see (and should have been able to see beforehand) that the child can be long gone by then - it wouldn't take long for a determined person to break in and take someone.

I could almost (but not quite) understand if they were uneducated people, but the fact that he is a consultant cardiologist and she is a GP indicates two things: first, that they should know much much better than to leave a child on their own; and second, that they have to be on a minimum of £300,000 a year combined - they could afford an au pair, surely.

** so easy to judge, isn't it!! Yep, the kid shouldn't have been left alone, and don't you think they'll be beating themselves up like crazy about that? Yes, without question, they will be!! The last thing this couple need right now is people randomly damning them. They'll just want their kid back **

[claradooblue]

I really wish people wouldn't condemn the parents for leaving them alone. It really doesn't matter now. Every parent, including myself, that i know, has at least considered leaving thier children for a short time like that when their asleep, even though you know it's wrong. I once left my daughter for about five minutes, she stepped on a drawing pin in my absence and i felt as guilty as hell. Portugal's a very child centered place also. This sort of thing is practically unheard of. Thats why the police are all over the place. In my parent in laws town, the police wear riding boots. Enough said!

[Vivienne]

Exactly clara. It doesn't matter now... the main thing is.... can she be found !! And even if she can, the trauma to both child and parents ain't something that's simply gonna be resolved overnight.

[Ballbag]

As I've said before, it's a delicate subject to address. Yes, we all want her safe and sound, and yes it was a really stupid thing to do leaving the kids alone, some may say in hind-sight, but not me........ it's common sense, you just don't leave your kids in a house on their own. But like you all say, they will know that for the rest of their lives.
What I don't understand is how me putting 10p in a bucket here in the office can help find her. And what good would it do me wearing a yellow ribbon. It's ridiculous and it's just getting way out of hand.

[Vivienne]

Delicate subjects need addressing!! And if you don't want to wear the ribbons, then don't!! I find the "yellow ribbon" thing ridiculous as well btw.

[claradooblue]

Agreed. Bfb. It has become a cause celebre, which seems to happen from time to time. The outcome is never a happy one, but seems to make people feel they belong to a caring society, instead of the individualist one we happen to belong to right now.

[Ballbag]

Twas the same with Soham.

[Vivienne]

I hate to throw this one in here, but does anyone actually believe she IS still alive.. I mean, they say that in these cases the kids are basically dead within the first day of abduction ?? I hope not.

[claradooblue]

Exactly the same as Soham, as will the outcome be, I'm afraid, Viv.

[Vivienne]

Yep, exactly what I'm thinking.

[Ballbag]

..... don't even get me started on Diana. God that was such an annoying week.

[Vivienne]

Week?? It went on for about a year !!

[Nicola_Red]

No, I don't feel she will be found alive. Sad but true.

Viv, I don't plan to wear a ribbon but as a representative of my company I feel I am being forced to be seen to support this appeal and that's what irks me. Of course I would like to see the kid found safe and well. But if the parents chose to leave their babies alone for that length of time, they should be paying for the search. Let's not forget the mother is a GP and the father a surgeon - they will not be short of a bob or two. And I suspect what the money will really pay for is not a search, which the police should be doing free of charge, but the parents' extended residence in Portugal.

[Yudster]

You mean the Diana thing isn't still going on....?! And no, I don't believe Madeleine is still alive, although I would never be happier to be wrong.
I received a chain email yesterday which seems to have started with Madeleine's family, asking for messages in several languages and posters to be sent out to as many people as blah blah blah......I have to say I deleted it, same as I would any other chain email. For a start, I don't think my organisation's policy on chain emails wouldn't apply to it, but mainly - who on earth am I going to send it to who hasn't already got all the information contained in it?