The beauty of the balcony to the N(W) of block 6 is that it has extensive views in all directions except for the eastern pavement of Rua Dr F G Martins. They can see anyone coming from afar, except for Jez who was on the eastern pavement.
It is also a public balcony so they did not have to rent an apartment to view the scene.
The Balcony to the south(W) of block 6 has wonderful views of the tapas restaurants and the both pavements at the southern ends of Rua Dr FG Martins. By the same token , the reverse is the case as well.
Anyone watching from that balcony would be VERY obvious to anyone in the houses opposite and anyone coming up that street.
BUT
From this southern balcony, nothing can be seen of people approaching from the west, or east, along Dr Agastinho de Silva.,, and they would be danger areas for the abductor.
This balcony is also rather too well lit IMO by the fairly close street lamp opposite the Garden/ Tapas Reception and has lots of houses overlooking it. The watcher would be on show.
The apartment would also have had to have been rented, so that could be a danger to a person involved in an abduction.
IMO, the Southern balcony of block 6 is a non runner, but the N(W) balcony is a likely candidate.
And as Brietta has mentioned .... all the cigarette butts there are pointers to the likelyhood of the N(W) balcony being used.
It is also immediately opposite 5A, so light signals to the abductor would be simplicity itself.
A FURTHER THOUGHT.
This N(W) balcony is right opposite the lounge windows of 5A. I wonder if the lounge curtains were open?
If so, with a light in there, anyone on this N(W) balcony could probably watch Gerry and Matt moving around inside from a distance of only about 12-13 metres away. CREEPY !
Maybe even see the abductor walk into the bedroom and out again with Madeleine in his/her arms?
Now that's a thought !!! &%+((£
From memory, up block 6 at front and leaning out, I could see half way down block 5, but not the rear (gate, garden, patio), not the Jez/Gerry meeting point, and 100% definitely not the Tapas entrance.
Even if my memory is a bit off, that is a good place for monitoring the front of block 5. You get to see who is going into the car park, although the offset means you are guessing about who is going into which apartment.
As to what is happening just a little south of the mid-point of 5A, I classed the front of block 6 as a fail. Since I had no ability to view what was happening around the Tapas area or entrance, it was down to sheer hope that no one was checking the kids as I took the (hypothetical) walk from block 6 to block 5.
I'm sure there is a photo on here that shows you can see b****r all of the rear of 5A from the front of block 6.
This place (miscarriageofjustice) needs an index. In the event that I find something on here, what is my chance of finding it again when it is relevant?
Now for a very small diversion. I live near the 'Simple Minds' villa. Of 'don't you, forget about me' fame. I have been enjoying the kids who are obviously renting this site at the moment playing loud party music. It's 22.40 on Sat 6 June 2015, and the music has stopped. I can't imagine the kids have packed up for the night. Is it out to Lagos for more party time?