Cat's Eyes on Glasgow: going Madklubben and a moohoosive time at the Royal Highland Show

Pretty Muddy @ Bellahouston Park

On Saturday, I helped host Pretty Muddy in Bellahouston Park for Cancer Research UK and Scottish Power. I would have loved to take part but, unfortunately, I have my own wee obstacle (bump) in the way! So, I headed to the stage instead to help cheer on the crowds of lassies, all up for getting down and dirty in the fight against cancer!

I teamed up with the Race for Life event and Scottish Power because my Mum’s life’s work has been researching Cervical Cancer so I know how important fundraising and funding can be, and Scottish Power have pledged to raise a whopping £10 million for Cancer Research UK. It’s a huge amount and will definitely help the charity on their way to meeting their target of significantly reducing the number of folk who die from this terrible medley of diseases.

I helped host the main stage with an incredible young woman, Kate Bowman, who at 23 is struggling with her own battle against a rare form of cancer. She’s amazing and aside from being my co-host on the day, I reckon I’ve found a good mate there too! Sadly, she wasn’t able to take part on the day (due to an infection) but we’ve both vowed to do so next year: you lot can hold me to that!

So, what is Pretty Muddy? Well, if you hadn’t guessed from the name, it’s basically a grubby assault course (the younger, prettier sibling of Tough Mudder!) for women. When I mentioned it to my cabby on the way to the park, he seemed strangely excited about the idea of thousands of ladies rolling around in the mud on a Saturday afternoon… “And it’s for charity!” he exclaimed!

I’m not sure what kind of picture he was painting in his head, but he was right to be delighted. I think every single one of the women who took part are just Muddy brilliant!

Burger Meets Bruich

This week, I went MadKlubben. It wasn’t a return to my pre-pregnancy past, I wasn’t out raving until the wee small hours, och no, it was a much more bump-friendly night: Madklubben is actually Danish for Food Club.

Each month, Cail Bruich on Great Western Road hosts Madklubben; a special ‘Food Club’ night, where they invite guest chefs to come and take over their kitchen. The chef can create anything their wee heart cooks up, from a 7 course tasting menu to one that’s all poultry. Needless to say, I was game!

This week it was the turn of Burger Meat’s Bun’s James Forrest (pictured), this guy knows his burgers but, in fact, before his Burger Meat’s Bun pairing, he actually spent a good deal of time carving our a career in Michelin starred restaurants. Aha, so that’s why the burgers are so darn good!

Amazingly, there wasn’t a patty in sight on the night; James’ menu was quirky, like the Haggis Popcorn, a nod to KFC’s Popcorn Chicken (i.e. nothing to do with popcorn!) and spicily surprising, every one in our party reached for a good glug of water after tucking into his delicious Kimchi and Blackened Scallop Broth! All in all there were six courses, the plates were wee but it was incredibly filling… but then we were all close to licking our plates, so not a crumb was left!

It was a great night and has tempted me back to Cail Bruich, a place I’ve always heard good things about but have never ventured past their slightly dated looking exterior. They’ve recently renovated inside and the place is looking fantastic. The night is currently Glasgow’s only monthly ‘food club’ night, so I’m sure I’ll be back again soon. And, what’s more, I’m delighted to have found at least one way I can keep on ‘Klubben!

RHS @ Ingilston

Over the last few years, I’ve been involved in filming at the Royal Highland Show, from sheep shearing to butchery, cooking demonstrations to lambing live - a wee bit like Challenge Anneka - I’ve taken part in it all, anything and everything! It’s one of the highlights of my year and I think it just gets better and better.

This year was the 175th anniversary. Yup, that’s right, for nearly two centuries folk have been travelling by car, cart and shank’s pony to an event to celebrate Scottish produce and farming. These days, perhaps amazingly - as some folk might think it sounds a bit rural - it’s actually the countries’ biggest outdoor event. And it’s growing ever year, with over 188,449 folk having a trot around it, Thursday to Sunday.

As this year is the Year of Food and Drink in Scotland, it was an important year for the show and the food hall was specially rebranded as Scotland’s Larder Live! There were over 120 exhibitors all giving out tastes of their delicious Scottish treats. Literally, a pregnant lady’s dream! And, in addition to all the food on offer, there was also more than 7,000 livestock on display… hmmm, can spot the pregnant coo in the pic above?

A Wee Bird Recommends

If you’re missing the sunshine, how about having a go at turning the sky yellow on Sunday at the city’s Colour Me Rad 5K run starting in Glasgow Green. It’s a colour-filled run that leaves you looking like a tie-dyed hippy, so on the plus side, no one can see your cheeks turning pink! There’s still a few spots available, or just head along to cheer on the crowds, Wee think it will be a blast!