Carol - messages of support

There is so much going on by so many people, it would be brilliant if it wasn't so worrying. It's worth going back to the main thread every now and again just to catch up. Knowing the police are now searching is a great relief.

Well done, Carol, you deserved a break, you've worked relentlessly ...and you've only said f... once!

So grateful to all who have picked up the baton and kept running. So many of us feeling exhausted and upset. It's like waking up to another nightmare every morning, as the week goes on.

I took four hours out to mind grandchildren and take them out for lunch today. Feel like a new woman! Time out highly recommended for a break, then come back to help until Carol is found.

If you haven't seen the main thread - police and Mountain rescue search now underway.

That's much better. Thank goodness something is being done at last. Like Maniac I haven't been able to concentrate on anything today.

She's a star.

Granjura has been phoning people and left this comment on the Carol Sheridan missing Facebook site:

All the police people I talked to, and mountain rescue- were really very sympathetic and concerned, and fully aware of the dangers and risks. I told them we felt little was being done, and they all replied that they are taking the matter very seriously and actively looking for the car- and would then start to search the area with a toothcomb.

I've emailed the poster to the 'growing old disgracefully' network .Some members live or have relatives in France.Never know when some link might help. Can't get on with anything today

I have just sent info to Eddie Mairs PM programme on Radio 4.

Please will you ensure that factual information and links go on the main IMPORTANT Greatnan Missing thread, and keep supportive comments here. We are getting requests for specific information and have to wade through discussions and good wishes, which is slowing down response time. So sorry - usually I couldn't care less about waffling on as much as I like, but every minute is critical here and the faster we can find links and references that have been made that are needed again, the better. Thanks very much.

So pleased to hear that a search is at last getting underway - but please let's keep emailing, twittering etc. I hardly slept last night I was so worried; just shows what a true community Gransnet has become.

A post on the other thread that a search will soon be underway...great news!

We know how independent and active Greatnan is, but if a story were headlined "Great- grandmother missing in forests for 3/4/5 days" (apologies, Greatnan you'll clock me for that one!) SURELY it would occasion action if not an outcry?

Sadly, if a responsible adult does go missing in this country it is not usually initially treated as suspicious unless there are other circumstances or grounds for concern.

Merlotgran the last sentence was also going through my mind.

I agree, Mishap, Given the concern raised by friends and family it would be all over the media by now and search parties would be out there.

What if greatnan had no living family to instigate a search. How would they know if someone was missing voluntarily?

It sounds as incompetent as the search for Maddie McCann by the Portugese police.

I find this all very disturbing - why are the French police dragging their feet over a proper search? Would they be doing so if the missing person were a child? Are they assuming that Carol is voluntarily missing? The British consulate should be kicking a few behinds.

If someone went missing in our Brecon Beacons, the voluntary search and rescue service would be on the case straight away.

I've emailed the bbc link. A short email that refers to the Carol Sheridan Missing FB page, to the anxiety in her family, and amongst her many gransnet friends. I've stressed that whilst she loved walking, simply going missing is completely out of character.
Sending love to carol's family - this is just dreadful. I'll also email the Guardian and the Daily Mirror. Nelliemoser - much as it pains me as well, I agree with you. This is a classic DM story isn't it, involving gransnet, loving family, indomitable 73 year old with such a wide circle of family and friends around the world. All that, and what sounds like a heartless and incompetent response from the French Police. I'm sorry if that sounded flippant, I didn't mean it to, I love and admire greatnan, she is inspirational. Of course Carol, like any of us, has the 'right' to disappear, it just is so unlikely. We have shared her enthusiasm about her visit to New Zealand, and pride and joy in her family.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/10725415

Just to make it easier

Sorry I printed the wrong link for the BBC - the Thank you rather than the one to send a story to. It should read:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10725415

With her daughter about to move & Greatnan being so excited about the move & new house, I cannot imagine she wouldn't have been in contact somehow with them by now even if it meant she had to go home to phone.

Re. what nellie wrote on page 4, there are several possible scenarios- one of them that she went off to see the woman in the remote cottage, maybe forgot her phone charger and is totally unaware of all the panic.
I hope to heaven it's something like that.
Feel awful for her friends and family- what a nightmare!

Did anyone manage to contact the hunting club?

Thank you GadaboutGran, I agree, action is needed, and anything you can do to help please do so - media may just be of vital importance!
We are currently making travel arrangements for a family member (or several!) to fly out and continue to lead the effort from over there.
We now have several people putting pressure on the local police to take this matter more seriously - we will be hearing back from the FO within the hour.
The Mairie reports he sent some of his workers to search around the village yesterday but this turned up nothing.
It is promising though that the word is getting out there.

Lara that is appalling. I have emailed the BBC and think the rest of the media should be brought into play as well. Greatnan would not do as they are suggesting. Keep strong. (((Hugs)))