Swans, Hogganfield Loch, Glasgow

I lived most of the first 25 years of my life just over a mile away from Hogganfield Loch and it was a popular place for a family outing.

As one does when one gets older and moves away, one rarely visits all these old childhood haunts. However, I took a notion this afternoon and went back to find - not unexpectedly, I suppose - that much was different (although much remained the same). What was, for us when growing up, Hogganfield Loch had become Hogganfield Park Local Nature Reserve. It had been landscaped to provide seating by the loch-side and there was a 'beach' and picnic area.

The landscaping had also involved a fair bit of work to turn the area into a nature reserve: there were wetlands, a pond dipping area, a wild-flower garden and much more which was not so obvious in winter-time. There were signs and interpretation boards - all so different from how I remember it in childhood.

But the swans are still there, and in the low winter sun, some good views over towards the island to which we could row out (in summer anyway!) all those years ago. And, of course, what seemed a long path round a huge loch then is only 2km and easily walkable in just over half-an-hour. Happy days!