Aubrey
Welsh
Hi there
I've been harbouring a 'secret' over the past few months - not telling anyone I was travelling to South Africa (except for a few folk in NZ and SA) and later to the UK and Canada. This was because I wanted to surprise a whole lot of people - and I did!
This page is dedicated to all those who 'kept' the secret and all those who were 'surprised'! We all had a great time drinking, eating and being merry - just see the photos and videos below.
You're welcome to leave a comment below.
Before leaving NZ, I had a quick catch-up shoot with Kylie and Bryce on my documentary "Live and Let Die"
With the US/Israel vs Iran war swirling around us, we landed in Dubai. Normal except for an empty airport.
The flight was fairly full but I managed to take this selfie with just one cabin attendant in sight.
My first sunrise in Durban and gosh, how beautiful was this - and yes it was quite early!
Although Johnny's BD was a few days earlier, he decided to have his Party today - after I had arrived in SA!
After his speech, this was Johnny and Elvina about to blow out the birthday candles - not re-igniting ones!
I had one job to do at the Party - take a few video clips of the event with Michael Wood-Bodley taking the pics.
After a few days, I flew off to Cape Town to be available for when Ken and Jude's container arrived from UK.
The first 'surprise' was to wish my niece, Penny, for her birthday, at lunch with mom, Lynne and daughter, Ella.
The view from Morgenster Restaurant was absolutely magnificent - the Cape Mountains are spectacular.
Penny's BD lunch was very kindly hosted by my very good friend, Bruce Walsh, second right in photo - dankie.
Of course, the container from UK was late so I had to change my flight to Durban - happy as I could stay longer.
We had to keep busy - what better way than many lunches at vineyards; this was Guardian Peak, Stellenbosch.
And we went to The Strand Beach - how's this for a magnificent stretch of sand - we did paddle in the waves.
Ken even had time to buy a brand new car, a Chery Tiggo 7. A very nice car, indeed. Top Chinese car in SA
Eventually the container arrived and all the furniture and goods had to be unpacked - many a tense moment.
Just when some boxes were unpacked, we 'discovered' many more boxes in the garage!
Sox, their cat who also flew out from England, seemed to be taking all the unpacking and sorting in her stride.
Durban - my cousin Violet's birthday - a total surprise! I took a video and - surprise, it didn't work! Hence - no pic!
Popped into central Durban expecting to see a dilapidated City Hall but it seemed to be in good nick.
I couldn't recall these beautiful trees lining some of the avenues on the Berea - Colville's Glory, Madagascar.
This was Elvina's BD and she stood us all to lunch Grimaldi's at the Durban Country Club.
Me at Grimaldi's with a view of the Country Club golf course behind me.
Lunch Party: Aubrey, Juka, Marica, Elvina, Johnny, Kelly, Ted, Freddi and Michael.
Will you look at the size of the avocado pears? I surprised Michael Metcalf for coffee - his hand in pic.
Tried to hire a car at King Shaka Airport BUT I didn't have my credit card with me - must still be in NZ!
So I had to fly to Johannesburg, this shot of Durban with Umgeni River and Moses Mabhida Stadium on left.
My first host in Jhb, Russel. What a wonderful few days spent with him in Sandton. Cool but clear.
He has this beautiful courtyard garden with so many shrubs, flowers and trees. Birds and geckos, too.
Nearby is Nelson Mandela Square - yes, I had to go and pay my respects to this icon of SA culture.
My second hosts were Philip and Janine (an ex-SABC colleague) in Lonehill. Chats, food, and chillaxing.
These honey bees love this Tree Azalea plant - 5 or 6 bees collecting pollen on each flower!
They have a lovely pool in the garden but I'm afraid it was absolutely much too cold to contemplate swimming.
My final host was Derrich Gardner (middle). Another friend, Urbain was in town so we all had dinner together.
Derrich's garden on the Northcliff Ridge in Jhb has an actual forest and the house has views to Jhb city.
On my final day in Jhb, I held a small gathering of friends from the 1980s and 1990s - busy setting the table.
My apologies to all the people I did not get to see in Joburg - there was just not enough time - is there ever?
And further apologies to all I missed in Cape Town. Those few days were jam-packed and I couldn't see everyone.
Cheers Ken and Jude - thanks for everything over the decades; many blessings for your new life in CT.
Winter is a great time for sunrises and photographs are so easily taken. This from Johnny and Elvina's apartment.
From the same vantage point, here's the sun just creeping over the horizon - reflections included!
A slightly wider shot showing a sunrise and the silhouettes of the apartment buildings nearby.
You know how we always complain about our youngsters on their phones all the time? Look at this!
I complained to Checkers about this 'open' hot food counter - bought a 'bad' chicken which had flies inside!
One of the great joys of flying is seeing views like this: Umhlanga Rocks on coast, Gateway Mall in centre
Big Day today - FINAL Surprise for the Welsh family (and other friends of mine) for beachside brunch.
I chose a limited selection of menu items; hopefully all tastes will be catered for!
Guests given a Welcome Drink - it really is a restaurant right on the beach at Westbrook on North Coast.
Video shows the arrival of some of the Welsh family with Nicola (blue dress) not knowing I would be there!
Aubrey's welcome speech to family and friends followed by an explanation of the menu.
Thanks to Johnny and Elvina for arranging an enormous cake - and to the staff for their amazing BD song!
My sister-in-law Arlene's brood: with Nicola and Lisa; Ben, Kai and Luca.
Lisa, Jan, Nicola, Dean, and Michelle at Arlene's table - everyone in good spirits and having a grand time!
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I called this the Seniors Table - and, yes, I included myself in that august group - also having a great time.
The Berea Ridge in Durban is a series of ancient, fossilised sand dunes which in time became red and clayey.
These 'fever trees' used to be called Acacia xanthophloea - now Vachellia xanthophloea.
I love public art and these 'heads' in Sandton, Jhb - sculpted by Anton Smit and painted by Mars (a grafitti artist)
Back to Cape Town to celebrate Jude's birthday - Kari and Hilton at Hussar Grill, Somerset West.
Jude loves cats - you've met Sox already - and so I gifted her this lovely cushion cover, Iranian inspiration.
Whilst in CT, I took these three fab people to breakfast at a wine farm, Somerbosch: Bruce, Penny & Nina.
This pic is taken from Somerbosch across the fields towards the Heldeberg Mountains.
Whilst they still lived in the UK, I gave this wall sculpture to Ken and Jude - now it's on their house in Cape Town.
Babylonstoren, one of the many exquisite wine estates - this display in the Reception Room.
Me outside Ottolenghi's Restaurant in Spitalfields, London. No, I did not go in - I couldn't even afford a look at the menu!
Next to Dulwich Park (Gatehouse seen here) is the the Dulwich Picture Gallery - a marvellous little art venue with amazing artworks!
The old and the new - The Tower of London with The Shard in the background. This city never ceases to fill me with wonder and awe.
The hamlet of Flatford in Suffolk is where John Constable was born and painted many of his famous works around the mill and the river.
This is the granary building in Flatford and was built in the late 18th century. It was used to store wool, wood, grain and coal.
The Hay Wain - one of Constable's most famous paintings of Flatford. It was painted in 1821 and is possibly worth more than $100 million.
Not far from Flatford is Walberswick - a quaint village with some exceptionally beautiful old homes around this ancient green.
May, Michael and I had 'fish and chips' at one of several 'chippies' alongside the River Stour - the meal was excellent (even the donuts after)
A favourite photo of mine of Michael and May at the approach of the Walberswick pebble beach - some of the stones were incredibly beautiful.