The Pansy Shed and Rush Munro's

I have always adored everything about Rush Munro's Icecream Garden here in Hastings. When I was little it was such a treat to go to Rush Munro's for a peaked cone icecream. I never could make up my mind between the passionfruit or gorgeous feijoa flavours. I still prevaricate even now. I have, on the odd occasion, resorted to half & half. Charles & Catherine Rush Munro arrived here in Hawke's Bay in 1926 (about the same time our house was built) & set up shop in town selling excellent quality confectionary. Oh dear, the legendary 1931 earthquake ruined their dreams & hard work in a minute. Yet they tenaciously carried on, moving to Heretaunga Street & starting all over again.

 Icecream eventually became the legendary trade mark of the Rush Munros' & they have now long enjoyed an excellent world wide reputation & a dedicated local

 following. This all looks a tad breezy for the winter, no wonder that it all quite soon became a good deal more substantial. I suspect that the goldfish-pond-come-wishing-well was established quite early on as the concrete work has just the same feel as the seats & ponds in our local Cornwall Park dated in the 30's.

 Distinctive logo.

 I had a fascinating chance encounter with an elderly gentleman a year or two ago when I was working at the Curiosity Shop in town, and he told me the story of when he was a lad & Rush Munro's first opened & how it was at that time called "The Pansy". Now that absolutely captured my imagination!

(A very old Parisian
seed packet label that
I happily purchased
 recently.)
Of course, I couldn't wait to rush home & tell Rob about my great discovery! About this time my darling man had begun the slow but well crafted process of revising a yukky old shed sited at the end of our garage. One part was to become The Larder & the other The Pansy..of course!! and what did he do for me but create Rush Munro trellsing & paint it the distinctive Ice cream garden Green..sooo sweet!

Tucked under the benevolent care of our ancient plum tree.

Christmas time has seen the completion of my dearest Pansy Potting Shed. Oh I just adore it! 

Such brilliant detail.

  $2 at St Matthew's Fair

and another..quite perfect for such a place of nurture

So whatever else would you do with two ratbags after they have finished trimming Katie's topiary

and eaten their fresh taste-of-summer honey & pearl sweetcorn?

 Head off to the Icecream Garden to visit the fish of course!

love the red accents

What fabulous devotion to the original essence of this happy institution of deliciousness. 

 Still here creating memories for generations to come.

And what a perfect day for such a post..exactly a year since an angel turned up in the garden.

Thanks so much for popping in. Fancy an icecream?

 Do come & visit again sometime : )

MUCH