Laying in the Ditch

 
Hey guys, i know that one of my hens is laying and think there might be two laying.  We went away for the weekend and the inlaws dutifully looked after the hens (and did a great job too).  I told them they could have any eggs that are laid.  But low and behold there were no eggs over 3 and half days.  There should have been at least 1. 
We arrived back at our house today and found one of them jumping back into run (five foot fence). we have searched and searched the ditch but no luck. we are eggless. Is it possible that they may have laid the eggs in the long grass? How far will they go to lay?
How will I put this to a stop, before I pull all my hair out?

one of mine used to lay underneath a tarpaulin on the back of one of our lorries, I just used to take all but one on the eggs (write on this one the day) and then remove that one the next time they laid. This kept her laying in the same spot as she thought I didn't know about it 

put a dummy egg or two (pot, plastic or rubber) in their nest boxes so they can see this is where they should lay 

Still no eggs and we confined the two laying hens yesterday. Its absolutely pouring out today, so they can do what they want.  I'm destined to have an eggless life (i refuse to buy eggs) and my oven is crying out for me to bake something.  Any eggless recipes out there?