A beautiful Mediterranean dawn.

The cladded pillars have been replaced with natural stone, more in keeping with the perimeter walls and the name 'Panorama Park' removed from above the gates. The signs have been replaced, at each end of the gardens with chunky, modern and stylish ones, robustly identifying the community of Panorama Park. This style of sign will be used to uniformly identify the other communities throughout Senorio de Punta Prima.

A unique photograph of Punta Prima and Rocio del Mar (taken by owner John Upham from a light aircraft - July 2007) showing the progress at Senorio de Punta Prima with Panorama Park and La Entrada in the top-left corner. The beach and actual point lending the name to the area of Punta Prima, at the bottom right, is the first projecting headland south of Torrevieja.

Another splendid arial picture again courtesy of John Upham shows Torrevieja Harbour with ongoing work to build the International Marina (top right) and the new fishing fleet wharf along the southern breakwater. Half-way along the wharf is the home of Pascual Flores a grand fishing vessel built on nearby Acequion beach, seen on the left of the harbour.

A new beach bar (or chirunguita) Bolabola has opened for business alongside the new promenade to 'compete' with the popular Nautilus Restaurant on Avenida de las Olas. Nautilus means submarine - but did you know that the sea off Punta Prima is part of the Spanish Armada submarine training area?.

Beyond the new Pitch 'n Putt, the race is on! An 'armada' of yachts with young people taking part in a regular Saturday afternoon racing regatta.

The new beach bar, sunbeds and parasols ready for business, and finally, an early morning walk along Punta Prima beach.

The installation of the CCTV scheme at Panorama Park is completed and became fully operational on 4th June 2007. The system consists of 32 high fidelity cameras mounted on the existing lamp standards in strategic positions to give complete coverage of the perimeter boundary. The infrastructure required laying nearly 5,000 metres of underground cables, ducting and optic fibre communications in trenches - well, you can't make an ommelette without breaking eggs!.

The system is be linked to a temporary control centre, currently shared with La Entrada and La Recoleta and connected to a 'state of the art' digital recording system and split-screen colour monitors. Each camera will capture 25 images per minute with those positioned in more vulnerable areas individually set to take pictures more frequently; allowing the recordings to be stored for 21 days.

The contract with Falcon Security is not simply for CCTV monitoring. The arrangement includes provision of specially trained, uniformed and equipped Vigilante patrols, an 'Auxiliar' to monitor the screens giving views of the Community from every camera angle, whilst the Vigilante gets on with the job of patrolling the grounds. As the Beach Front development of Senorio de Punta Prima - the 'bigger picture' nears completion a permanent control centre will be constructed to house the technical equipment and provide a base for up to seven security personnel. The plan is to provide 24/7 protection to the whole of the resort. Pictured here, Falcon Vigilante Gines Lorenten patrols Panorama Park in the early morning sun. Auxiliar de Seguridad Conchi Perez Ramirez has the duty of monitoring the screens, operating the recording equipment and keeping radio communication with the Vigilante Patrols. Vigilante Vincente Munoz Gutierrez makes radio contact alongside his vehicle outside Panorama Park.

Planning for overall security at Panorama Park included installation of the three metre high fencing along the whole of the southern boundary. This single feature has provided significant and robust perimeter control and protection from intruders. Now that the CCTV cables have been layed, as provided in the original specification, intensive planting of bourganville, plumbago and other Mediterranean plants has been completed. This work coincided with increased effort by the gardeners to bring up to standard the whole of this area including the emergency roadway and repair the unavoidable damaged caused during camera installation. Within a short time the plants should soften the fencing and provide a riot of colour in this sunny part of our gardens.

The CCTV hardware investment has cost the community some 86,000 euro. It will provide a high level of security and give peace of mind to owners and guests, whilst protecting the value of our investment. Importantly, Panorama Park is now a founder member and major contributor to the main security provision for the resort and as such we will provide our input to continued good management of the scheme. Owners can now invest in a personal alarm system connected directly to the control centre and monitored by the Vigilante Service at no additional cost. The CCTV cameras and high visibility warning signs placed at strategic points represent an effective deterent against unwanted intrusion. As the President announced in his annual report, Panorama Park has not experienced any significant incident or criminal activity in the Community since the CCTV system was introduced.

Jose Alveiro, here cutting the grass in summer, is our main gardener and will work full time to ensure that the lavish gardens at Panorama Park are thoroughly maintained throughout the seasons. Led by Martin Currie our President, the Management Team have developed a plan (see the 'Chalkboard' feature under the 'Information' tab) for improvement works during the winter season and Jose will be key to implementing these tasks.

Our new poolman Alix Martin of Crista Pools is responsible for maintaining the pools in crystal-clear condition throughout the year. Alix is originally from Swindon but now lives with his family in Dolores.

Maria, our 'cinco estrella' domestic cleaner, is responsible for the cleanliness of all our indoor communal areas. Maria enjoys listening to opera and most types of classical music.

Jose Francisco is our general gardening manager responsible for scheduling work, supervision of staff and ensuring the gardens remain in prime condition throughout the year. Jose Francisco is an ardent fan of Atletico Madrid.

The 'buck stops here'! Jose Manuel Cayuelas Espuch is contracted to maintain, develop and cultivate the sub-tropical gardens at Panorama Park. Owners, rightly expect a good deal from him. Jose Manuel has recently won the contract for garden maintenance at our neighbours, La Entrada.

Our gardener, Jose Alveiro, was born in Colombia but has lived with his family in Spain for some seven years. He has considerable experience in the cultivation of Mediterranean gardens and clearly enjoys his work here at Panorama Park. In his spare time his passion is football and is an 'oficionado' of Real Madrid.

Three lovely ladies from the Administrator's staff, Nadja Ott (Financial Accounts), Snezhanna 'Nechy' Marecano (Property Administration) and Carmen Canales (Senior Administrative Officer).

Hardly to be described as a 'key worker' but Roy Aldington was the first president at Panorama Park and now keeps an eye on proceedings from the sidelines. He is the originator, developer and administrator of the community website.

Our new President is Martyn Currie from Watford in Hertfordshire. Martyn is resident at Panorama Park and knows the community well, having been an owner here since 2001. He has previously served as Vice-President so his election is a natural progression.

Vice-President is John MacNamara who was born in Dublin, Ireland and retired to Spain following a long career as an information technology manager for the banking industry in London. John was previously president and vice-president and guided the community through several difficult years.

Lawrence Keegan (Elected Member) hails from Horwich, near Bolton in Lancashire but is now resident at Panorama Park. Lawrence is retired from employment with a large publishing house in the UK where his specialism was in the installation of major computer systems. He is actively involved in the upgrading and maintenance of the gardens at Panorama Park.

John Sinclair (Elected Member) has recently retired from a long career as a chartered civil engineer, mainly in the construction of water treatment plants throughout Europe, Asia and South America (now, that could come in useful!).

Our principal Administrator, Jesus Gomez Gomez, hard at work at his office in Mar Azul. Jesus has been our administrator for five years and is a member of the College of Administracion de Fincas Urbanas.

Sylvia Fries is the senior business partner at Administración y Servicios Mar Azul, S.L. and somehow manages to combine a busy family life with her demanding administrative work. Sylvia was born in Germany, and amongst many other talents, speaks several languages fluently. And, if this isn't enough, Sylvia is a fine athlete and key member of a distinguished ladies rowing team.

Many of us with internet access will be aware of the excellent Google Earth application that enables high quality imaging of the earth's surface, including Punta Prima! If you are not familiar with this FREE download from Google do consider it now. And when you zoom into Spain, the Costa Blanca, Torrevieja, Punta Prima and, well, Panorama Park - enjoy the incredible views. Look at some of the photographs of familiar places and sights - and, maybe, upload some of your own favourite photo's. Can you find where the first photo in this section was taken?

Torrevieja's landmark walkway, Vista Alegre, has reopened for the summer season after a 3.1 million euro refit. Part of the improvement includes the installation of pergolas to give shade, bench seating along both sides and improved lighting.

Work to prevent coastal erosion between the promenade and the Nautilus Restaurant at the end of Avenida de las Olas is well advanced. Huge granite block have been imported to keep the sea at bay and the popular vista point is to be refurbished and the beach improved.

MV Atlantic Sun registered in Limassol, loads with salt at the Muelle de Sal. This fine grade salt has travelled one kilometre by conveyor-belt from the Torrevieja salt lakes and is probably destined, not to season food dishes but to de-ice winter roads in northern Europe.

The community used to be home for about sixteen stray and feral cats, half of which were pregnant. The Management Team asked, " How many cats is enough?" and owners decided four would be reasonable and that they would wear distinctive collars and have any vet's bills paid by the community - as reward for their mousing skills and dealing with the odd snake or two. The others were all found new, caring homes. This then, is 'boss-cat' Marmalade a ginger tom who specializes in 'peeing' on everything and everybody, animal, vegetable or mineral - alive or dead!

For the fourth consecutive year a pair of Lesser-Kestrels (Kestrel photo Stephen Daly) have returned to nest and breed at Panorama Park. This is excellent news because these hunting birds not only efficiently keep rodents under control but deter pidgeons from colonising the buildings. Watch out community 'moggies'!

June, 2008 and the bottom pool area has benefited from investment in a paving along the perimeter fence. The irrigation system and grassed area is upgraded, one of the showers relocated and coloured non-slip concrete paving, similar to our pathways, has been introduced at strategic locations around the pool area to aleviate the problem of excess water on the surrounding grass.

, The amazing thing is not that this young man is a competant skier but that he is doing it in January in Torrevieja! Brrr!

We are blessed with a beautiful coastline and many superb blue flag beaches close to Punta Prima. Most are safe to swim from - for most of the time. Always be aware of the possibility of currents at your local beach. Be very aware that in certain conditions there are dangerous 'rips'. Rips are strong currents which can easily pull strong and experienced swimmers from shallow waters out to sea. Rips are responsible for many drownings on the Costa Blanca every summer. Together with 'CoastRider', the following good advice is offered...

Be Safe...Don't swim too far out of your depth...Always keep children under supervision...Try not to swim alone. If you are planning to swim alone always let someone know when you plan to return. If in doubt about prevailing conditions, ask the lifeguard or Cruz Roja (Red Cross) member on duty.

Many of our beaches have Lifeguards or Cruz Roja volunteer members from 1st July until October and Torrevieja Council is investing nearly 750,000 euros in the service. Always observe the safety signs and follow lifeguard instructions. The young man pictured here is Alex, one of many Cruz Roja (Red Cross) volunteers who patrol, observe and provide valuable life saving and first aid facilities on our busy beaches. Muchas Gracias Alex and friends!

Spotting a Rip Current... Look out for brown or discoloured water - this is caused by sand being stirred up from the sea bed..Look out for foam on the surface of the water...Watch for debris floating out to sea...Be aware of a rippled patch of sea, when all the water around is generally calm.

If you get caught in a rip current...Try to remain calm and don't panic...Don't fight the current-you will tire out before it does...signal to people on the beach by raising your hand and shouting "Socorro" (Spanish for "Help")...Try to swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the rip current-then try to get to shore.

Did you know that man-made structures can be very dangerous for swimmers? Harbour walls, jetties and piers can cause large breaking waves and unpredictable undertows.

Be especially aware of currents ,when the wind is blowing strongly from the land.

Hot weather and a warmer sea in July and August will herald the start of the Jellyfish season. Last year record numbers of jellyfish were sighted all around the coast of Spain and Portugal. Mediterranean jellyfish, which are 95% water, do not have lethal or powerful stings. However, some people could suffer a powerful allergic reaction and should seek immediate medical help. The treatment for most people who have been stung is to wash the wound with salty water and cool the area with ice in a plastic bag.This should reduce any pain from the sting.

EMERGENCY NUMBER: 112

Remember: On beaches where flags are flying..

RED Flag means DO NOT ENTER THE SEA. Swimming is prohibited.

The YELLOW Flag means that bathers should take CARE and be aware of changing conditions.

The GREEN Flag indicates that conditions are considered safe.

Children on Beaches.

In another new initiative parents with small children on our beaches can register their details with the duty Cruz Roja patrols, a scheme aimed at identifying lost children.

Each child will be given a bracelet with a unique identifying number. Parents will naturally keep a close watch on their children but If the child does get lost the parent or carer will be telephoned by the Cruz Roja beach staff. This service is extended to elderly and disabled people.

The Community has a long established plan for the maintenance, cultivation and improvement of our gardens. The aim is to keep the gardens in Mediterranean style, with trees, shrubs and plants indigenous to the region. The president Martin Currie and the Management Team will direct and oversee the work and liaise closely with the gardening contractor in order to keep the momentum for progress going.

In this section we will look at various parts of the garden throughout the seasons and highlight some of our many beautiful plants and trees. The first picture shows two of our several Lion trees, native of Tenerife, the specimen on the right in full flower. These particular examples are valued in thousands of euro each so derserve professional care and attention.

Late June 2007 and two of our many Cycad shrubs (these are Mexico cycads) are in bloom for the first time in six years! One of our gardeners, Emmanuelle, shows the male and female versions. But me, not being a knowledgeable gardener - which?...Well, I'm not too sure!. They bloom only in five or six year cycles and, of course, it is important to synchronize this event. The female will eventually deliver violet coloured fertile seeds.

The next picture catches a beautiful Stephanosis floribunda, originally from Madagascar, climbing the pergola between Portals 10 and 11, with an abundance of exquisite, large creamy white trumpet shaped blooms. In the evening the aroma is wonderful.

Early September and a freak hailstorm has left the pitch 'n putt course, and everywhere else, snow-white (photo Martyn Currie). Sudden 'Gota Fria' style rain-storms also flooded the area but the storm drain along the southern boundary performed well, directing the rainwater towards the sea.

Summer, and all our high palms and trees have been vigorously cut back for 'cosmetic' purposes but, more especially, to ready them to withstand the winter storms and coastal winds. This work is traditionally carried out at this time of the year by specialist tree surgeons and will prevent costly damage to these mature specimens.