This week, it's taps aff at the West End Festival Parade and with all this eating out, am I turning into 'Reeking Fat Hen'?

West End Festival Parade

The West End Festival Parade always feels like the start of summer; a few years ago our fair city was hotter than New Orleans on Carnival day, tipping the thermometer at 28 degrees Celsius. Sunday wasn't quite so toasty but it was definitely better than it had been and all the lassies in their belly dancing outfits certainly looked like they thought it was taps aff weather!

The parade is the second biggest in the UK, after the Notting Hill Carnival, and revellers come from all over the country to take part. On Sunday, Byres Road was absolutely hoaching with more than 80,000 party goers: fire performers, face painters, folk in their smalls… and me. Over the last few years I have either been filming at the parade or taking part, so it felt strange to be a spectator. However, I did feel a wee bit involved as this year's theme was 'Blooms', so it blooming well suited me (and my growing belly) perfectly!

This year marks the 20th year of the West End Festival and the parade kicked off a month-long programme of events, with plenty more fun and games to come. Some of the highlights include the Glasgow Mela this Sunday (fingers crossed the sun sticks around for that), Elaine C Smith and Cristina Dunwoodie in the Torch Song Divas at Websters Theatre on the 19th and 20th and, after lying derelict for so many years, a special free closing concert in the renovated Kelvingrove Bandstand on the 28th of June.

Mark Greenaway and Tennents @ One Devonshire

A few weeks ago, I received an email with the subject 'A Reekin Fat Hen'. How rude, I thought, I know I'm getting a bit porky but I don't think I reek. Despite the insult, I read on and in fact it was part of a special menu designed by Scottish chef Mark Greenaway to match Tennents newest beer, which is aged with whisky oak. Plus an invite to One Devonshire to try them both out. Yum.

Beer and food matching is becoming increasingly popular and it's no longer as straight forward as scoffing down a brew and a burger. Partly responsible for the change in tastes is the craft beer movement. So, in an attempt to join the growing market, Tennents have spent the last year developing a new, more crafty kind of beer, that's delicately flavoured with whisky.

On the night we were treated to tasting notes from Tennents master brewer Keith Lugton. FYI if anyone is trying to decide what they want to be when they grow up, this guy has to do a beer tasting everyday between 10.30 and 11.30am, it brings a whole new meaning to having a T break! I only had a wee snifter, but I thought the beer had a delicious malty sweetness, and although not particularly light - at 6% ABV - it seemed dangerously drinkable!

Afterwards, Mark (pictured) introduced us to his special menu. He said he had decided to take us back to Glasgow in the 1500's when Tennents first brewed their bevvy and our harbour was an world-class fishing port. So, our meal began with a fresh tasting Whisky Beer and Beetroot Cured Salmon. It was followed by a surprisingly tasty Pea Custard (don't knock till you've tried it!) that worked unusually well with the beer and finally, Mandarin Smoked Quail (not entirely my cuppa but then, we weren't there for tea!)

Both the dishes and the beer slipped down a treat and although it all sounds quite fancy, you can - Blue Peter style - try this at home. Mark is going to release step-by-step guides online to show us how to make the menu ourselves and, although not available everywhere, you can pick up Tennents Whisky Aged Beer in selected pubs and specialist shops.

Wee Bird Recommends

It's nearly summer so things are heating up in the city in terms of events. This weekend, Wee recommend checking out the Glasgow School of Art's degree show, soaking up the culture at the Glasgow Mela in Kelvingrove Park on Sunday, and finally, ladies if you fancy getting Pretty Muddy for charity next weekend you still have a few days left to sign up http://raceforlife.org