The Tapas Bookings

[G-Unit]

...And so BEFORE they left for the resort, and not checking police files for child stealing burglars and paedophile gangs,9 you know all the risk assessment thing) they ALL AGREED they would be dining without the children in the evening. Evidence being; the Paynes took a quality listening device, no one else did. Jane being convinced this is a cultural thing in the UK (maybe in chavland darling). I have never heard of such a thing in my life.

Let us look at what we know from this one thread
1. the parents were intending to leave their children alone, unprotected, unseen, unheard from where they were drinking and dining.
2. This throws away the claim  that' it felt safe'.

Whole new ball game.

Yes, it's beginning to look as if the plan was in place before they went. I wonder if they knew the location of their apartments too? I only wonder because almost all of them made a point of saying they didn't, which makes it important perhaps.

the choice of that apartment having been made at random by OCEAN CLUB management,
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/GERRY-MCCANN-10MAY.htm

As he remembers, when the travel was booked, the apartments of the four couples were located close to each other in the same block, to make it easier to check on the children.
(Russell)

Nevertheless, he relates that, they had discussed this problem resolving to make the trip since the operator had assured them accommodation sufficiently close together that, collectively, they had managed to assure the checking and supervision of their respective progeny.....he adds that on leaving England they did not know the exact apartments which they had been allotted.... they were only informed of their respective apartments on arrival in Portugal.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/MATTHEW-OLDFIELD-10MAY.htm

[pegasus]

Throws up the question - How would they have behaved had they not been able to get a block booking every night?

They would have got takeaway from the Tapas restaurant.
Same great choice of food, same free wine.
They could have eaten on 5H balcony, with all 8 kids asleep inside 5G.

[Miss Taken Identity]

They would have got takeaway from the Tapas restaurant.
Same great choice of food, same free wine.
They could have eaten on 5H balcony, with all 8 kids asleep inside 5G.

Great thinking Peggs I mentioned that to my friend, so you have to wonder why they didn't do that and chose to leave the kids unattended. I mean not even a physical check FGS.

AND that would have been like 'sitting in the garden'?

[misty]

They would have got takeaway from the Tapas restaurant.
Same great choice of food, same free wine.
They could have eaten on 5H balcony, with all 8 kids asleep inside 5G.

Poor Mrs Fenn!

[mercury]

Great thinking Peggs I mentioned that to my friend, so you have to wonder why they didn't do that and chose to leave the kids unattended. I mean not even a physical check FGS.

AND that would have been like 'sitting in the garden'?

Because it felt safe leaving them, even with an unlocked door, "it wasnt even a decision"

I thought they had decided before the holiday?? To do a listening service

Eta of course she could be white lying just to save face but even that never washed with the GBP and of course you are right, what kind of parents of toddlers dont look round the door when "checking" after being out...even sitting in your own secure house you stick your head around....but they went out with an unlocked door and on "checking" didnt even bother to see if they were still there, alive, breathng or go in for a kiss.....truly a very very bizarre couple

[pegasus]

Great thinking Peggs I mentioned that to my friend, so you have to wonder why they didn't do that and chose to leave the kids unattended. I mean not even a physical check FGS.

AND that would have been like 'sitting in the garden'?

Several couples did get takeaway from Tapas that evening specifically because they couldn't get a table

[pegasus]

Actual statements by some of the people who were prevented (by the T9) from eating at Tapas:

"On the night of Madeleine McCann's disappearance we could not get a table at the Tapas bar and decided to get a takeaway from there and have it at the apartment" (Proc15 p3907 - 3908)

"I tried to reserve a table at the Tapas Bar for that night but it was fully booked ... we decided to order a meal from the restaurant and we dined together in our apartment" (CR5 30-32)

[pegasus]

Also this:

"I believe that there was some sort of agreement with the tapas bar, as they appeared to have a reservation every night, and it was impossible for other guests to book a spot there." (CR5 25-29)

[mercury]

That was MTI not me Pegasus. Anyway, as an aside someone here claimed lots of other british holidaymakers also left their kids alone when out eating but never of course cited a single syllable froj anywhere. It does seem this group felt it was OK as a whole rather than usng the free night creche and dining wherever they wanted.But this discussion became boring years ago.their choice, their risk.

[G-Unit]

Ah, the 'tall man'   

The question asked, regarding the fact that, possibly, on the first day it was RUSSELL who had made the reservation at the restaurant, she admits that as possible, although she cannot be sure which of the two (RACHEL or RUSSELL) would have done it.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/DIANNE_WEBSTER_11-MAY07.htm


A strange snippet;

The window shutters of the McCann's apartments were closed. The patio door that they used to enter the apartment also had its shutter closed. In order to enter they had to raise the shutter.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/RACHAEL-OLDFIELD-11-MAY07.htm

[jassi]

Ah, the 'tall man'   

The question asked, regarding the fact that, possibly, on the first day it was RUSSELL who had made the reservation at the restaurant, she admits that as possible, although she cannot be sure which of the two (RACHEL or RUSSELL) would have done it.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/DIANNE_WEBSTER_11-MAY07.htm


A strange snippet;

The window shutters of the McCann's apartments were closed. The patio door that they used to enter the apartment also had its shutter closed. In order to enter they had to raise the shutter.
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/RACHAEL-OLDFIELD-11-MAY07.htm

Were these 'shutter' not actually internal blinds, either horizontal or vertical?  It would seem unlikely that they would be lifting a vertical device to gain access each time.

[pegasus]

"The window shutters of the McCann's apartments were closed. The patio door that they used to enter the apartment also had its shutter closed. In order to enter they had to raise the shutter."
http://www.mccannpjfiles.co.uk/PJ/RACHAEL-OLDFIELD-11-MAY07.htm

IMO this can only be a misunderstanding by the translator, of what the witness said.

[jassi]

IMO this can only be a misunderstanding by the translator, of what the witness said.

Why should you think this?   Why would you doubt the translation as it stands?

Are there photos available that show what these shutters look like?

[pegasus]

Why should you think this?   Why would you doubt the translation as it stands?

Are there photos available that show what these shutters look like?

Certainly the lounge balcony door has two external metal shutters.
IMO they were in the raised position that evening.
The translator misunderstood what RO was saying IMO.

[jassi]

Certainly the lounge balcony door has two external metal shutters.
IMO they were in the raised position that evening.
The translator misunderstood what RO was saying IMO.

Why should you assume that the translator was wrong, rather than RO ?

Gerry did say, in his first statement, that he had accessed the apartment via a key, so perhaps the shutters were down, just as RO said.

Was this the reason Kate was so adamant that Madeleine could not have wandered?