So I arrived for a plane a day early!

Better than a day late!!

So back into a hire car and off to stay in a small town via couchsurfing 60 km south.

Thank you Cs - it saved me from a boring night in a airport hotel.

Right now having a beer on the way in another regional town where I will stay with a young CS girl and her family. As it turned out the parents are a nurse and doctor. The daughter Marianna is lovely and so keen to travel. Naturally I am happy to entertain with the vast array of travelling stories and get people to pose for photos with JD the "Santaroo"....

As the first time they have hosted with CS, they are every so amazed... "We did not ever imagine we would have an Australian in our home tonight."

They were so lovely, they were most keen for me to stay for longer... but alas, despite the snow the planes were still flying and I had to make my way to the UK with a touch of sadness.

The next generation of eco efficient apprentices gain their trade

The recent graduation of Harry Kemp and Dion Vinci to the ranks of qualified builders is reason to celebrate. Terry Kemp’s son Harry and Airlie Beach local lad Dion can move on to make their own mark on the building industry. They know that they are benefactors of Terry's vast experience in particular steep slope building expertise, attention to detail and passion for energy efficient homes.

Over the apprenticeship period, Harry and Dion have witnessed Terry's vastly growing knowledge in the specialist areas of natural cooling and steep slope construction put into practise. Their involvement in various projects during their apprenticeships ensures that they have the skills and experience that will be so valuable in the coming years.

It is absolutely true that the recent electricity price hikes have made energy efficient homes a must, particularly in North Queensland where people are prone to soaring summer temperatures. This and demands in the building code place Harry, Dion and Terry ahead of the pack and custodians of the next generation of eco aware builders applying best practise and efficiency in coming years.

Terry's current crop of eco efficient homes are proven cool and less expensive than comparable Whitsunday homes built from inferior designs. The next wave of smart designs will improve on lessons learnt and incorporate such things as "solar ready" design … ensuring that the switch to solar is considered in the home design and building.

For more information about Terry Kemp's building designs, attention to detail steep slope specialised skills, contact him on 0409 050 155.