Tourist industry

I have a fascination with old industrial sites given new use. I like the idea that huge buildings, warehouses and factories can be recycled and presented to a different generation, with a different purpose. Rather than being demolished, which might suggest that the industrial age was a shameful period (re: the environment and labour conditions), these structures endure as proud examples of human endeavour that look ahead to the future. Look at the Tate Modern in London, Trafó in Budapest and Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam, for example. These arts and cultural centres inhabit buildings that were once power stations and gas factories, and the duel attraction is obvious: colossal industrial-era architecture and the cream of contemporary creativity combine industrial history and avant-garde. In Germany's Ruhr Valley this type of refurbishment has been taken to the next level. Over a dozen sites along the former "rust belt of Europe" have been gradually rehabilitated as centres for the arts and activity. You can now watch Björk singing from a smokestack or scuba dive in a flooded gas holder if you want. I wrote a story about the Ruhr's reversal of industry for the August/September issue of WizzIt magazine. (wizzmagazine.com)

Blowing in the wind

Do I look confused? I was. That lady to my left is Iballa Ruano; one half of the Canarian windsurf phenomenon 'The Moreno Twins'. Her sister, Daida, is just out of shot yelling further instructions to me - the windsurfing virgin - so you can imagine how intimidated I felt. Oh, and the 34-times world champion, Björn Dunkerbeck, was doing speed trials in the background. The story was two things: a lesson and interview with two of the best female windsurfers on the planet (I reckon, anyway) and a plug for the last legs of the Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA) World Tour. Gran Canaria was a revelation and the twins were the best company you could have hoped for in such gusty weather. Watch them in action if you don't believe me (morenotwins.com)

Super fly

Yes, it was. Very scary. But probably one of the best experiences of my life. A few of us from my old publishing company headed to Cheltenham to ride with some modern day Barnstormers last Spring. My editor at the time and I replaced the nimble little gymnasts that normally spin around on the wing with a permasmile. Needless to say, we were both static with fear and the smiles came courtesy of G-force. The editor, Piers, would call this type of work 'proper journalism'. (pierstownley.com)