O S T E S S E Y

 Pursuing his career as an young artist,  in his early twenties, Munning's moved between his home at Dedham and Norwich were his Aunt lived.  In 1904 he made his base at Swainthorpe where his uncle farmed.  In April 1908 he decided to ride on horseback to Costessey,  to which he often cycled when he was an apprentice in Norwich.

  "Reckoning Swainsthorpe six miles south, and Costessey the same distance on the west, I realised that my old haunts were not far away, and that beyond the fields, trees and woodlands which ended  on the skyline of my new territory a ride on horseback would take me to me to the Easton Woods on that side of Ringland Hills.  The ride happened in the most perfect April weather.  With never a passing cloud , the sun shone in divine brilliance throughout the day - a day of sweet-scented airs.  My pictures had been sent to the Academy.  I was free !
........the sight of green buds, of trees coming into leaf, and fields of young corn, the woodlands, mauve on the skyline, drawing nearer and being left behind, so filled my soul with a holiday spirit of independence and joy.........
    At length, passing by Easton Woods, through the lane closely bordered with trees, I reached the plateau above Ringland Hills.On horseback , I was once again at the spot where long ago in my youth,  I used  to arrive on my bicycle.  Once more, after all those years, I gazed across the valley to the wooded parklands of Taverham Hall............
....From the gorse -covered slopes I looked across to Taverham and left- handed to the distant wooden bridge over the river below Ringland - a beautiful country.
    Later that afternoon I rode down to the road by the river and along past the keeper's thatched cottage (Beehive Lodge)..........
................................thus on to the Falcon at Costessey, opposite the park gates, in sight of the Jerningham mansion, its spires and turrets a long silhouette on a skyline of more dark woodlands.  I stopped at the Falcon............, I asked for the landlord.  Although somewhat disconcerted by his superior air (for he had been butler at the Hall), I humbly enquired whether he took lodgers,
and seeing I rode a horse, he considered the situation.  His approval of myself, horse and dog gained on him, and he called a fellow to take the mare.....He took me to a parlour ......where I had eggs and tea- how well I remember it - and when I stood him a drink, and told him my story, he said  that seventeen shillings and sixpence a week was his charge and I agreed to come the following Monday.
.....I arrived that evening at Swainsthorpe full of new purpose . Meeting a landlord who looked like one and just a ride had opened up a new world with fresh ideas.  My first short stay at the Falcon was onlya feeler for my future painting on Ringland Hills, a mere beginning, a foretaste of things to come.. "
Quotation from 'An Artist's Life' by Sir Alred Munnings K.C.V.O.
Museum Press Ltd.  1950