Written by I was thinking about what my favorite building would be for today’s prompt and castles kept popping into my head. Not one particular castle of any sort of fame, but just any and all of them as I think they’re kind of cool. So, next, I started looking at photos of castles and ended up finding this one in France which is apparently for sale. And then made an insansely quick doodlewash of it. I was more excited at the prospect of actually owning my own castle, but my dreams were quickly dashed upon discovering it was listed for $22 million euro. Not only do I not have that kind of money right now, I have to live with the depressing notion that this sum will also far exceed my lifetime earnings. And any reasonable person would also have to factor in the help required to maintain 3500 square meters (37,673 square feet) in the final list price. So, my dreams of owning a castle died today, but we do have this speedy doodlewash by way of requiem.
I’m running incredibly behind for today’s post, because Philippe and I were chatting about plans for our upcoming trip to France in September. We’re definitely not intending to purchase a castle, but do still have some things to sort out before the trip comes. You know, important things like when are we going to be able to run over to Disneyland Paris in order to experience the Ratatouille ride. Actually, we didn’t have a place to stay until a couple days ago when we finally secured something on Airbnb. I’m kind of excited because it’s called Montparnasse Art Workshop and looks like a super cute place to live for a little over a couple weeks. Since I’ve seen all the tourist sites and this trip is primarily about visiting friends and family, I’m mostly excited about food and wine. Getting good French wine at grocery store prices is something to be thrilled about!
Perhaps, I don’t deserve to own a French castle though, because my mastery of the French language is still incredibly poor. I know I should be working harder at actually learning to speak it, but keep getting distracted with other things. Also, my pronunciation is so bad that little American charter school kids everywhere are quietly mocking me. But I don’t let any of this get me down. I figure there’s a reason why I wasn’t meant to speak perfect French or own a castle in that same locale. I’m not sure what the lesson here is, other than perhaps I shouldn’t have had that second glass of wine, but everything seems just fine right now. I think that living in an amazing French castle in your mind is always going to be better than the real thing any day.
Join Us For The August Doodlewash Adventure! Click Here to Learn More!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham Watercolors: Gamboge, Burnt Sienna, Pyrrol Red and Ultramarine Blue. Sennelier: Olive Green. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal.
From sand castles to French castles, what fun to imagine. This castle is lovely, but I would much more love to visit it, maybe to stay a night or two in a room and eat in the banquet hall, than have to be responsible for maintaining it. Can you imagine the army of people who would have to be employed for its upkeep and security? I like your Doodlewash – it only takes a swift wipe of my microfiber cloth to keep it dust free and sparkling.
Hehe! Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 I sooooo agree with all of this! I don’t think castles are very practical in the end. Being an introverted person, I really couldn’t bear to have that many people living with me! Lol Definitely better in the doodlewash form!
The Montparnasse place does look cute and clean..great price!
I think the castle looks great..but would prefer a small place in Provence:)
Thanks so much, Monique! 😃💕 It’s still for sale if you want to snatch it up! hehe But yeah… a smaller place would be so much more delightful!
Your castle is gorgeous – and I am so excited for your trip!!!!!!!!!!! Oh how I wish it were me! But I will live vicariously through your adventures – and drink Black Box Cabernet while you are sipping your exquisite French wine. Cheers! 🙂
Thanks, Jodi! 😃💕 We’re super excited… it’s been so long since we’ve traveled we’re starting to get antsy! We talked about taking a weekend trip this summer and that never happened, so Paris will be the next thing now I guess. I think we’ll be going every 2 years now to visit friends and family… it’s a little too expensive to do it each year! But will be fun! 😃
I would be thrilled to get to go every other year. I’ve never even once been to europe! 🙁
You need to fix that!! You should go!!
Right!!??????!!
wow….love your castle, your dreams even though they seem out there and definitely your story and plans to visit France. Wine….yes! I get that totally. 🙂
Thanks, Margaret! 😃💕 Looking forward to France and wine! hehe… hopefully I’ll do more plein air doodlewashing there!
I am looking forward to that!
Fun castle
Fun dream
Fun vacation
Fun price. Oops, no bad price. Very bad price.
Fun as always Charlie.
Thanks, Teri! 😃💕haha! Yes! VERY bad price… well… could be good I guess if you’re disgustingly wealthy and looking for a castle. Not sure what castles are going for these days, so this could be steal! lol
Dreaming is so fun and your castle dream is awesome. I hope you’ll post a few pics from France. Your trip sounds fabulous!
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 I hope to do a bit of urban sketching there so hopefully I’ll be reporting live with those! hehe
Oh, I’m so excited for you! 😃 A trip to France for good wine at cheap prices…sounds like my kind of vacation! 🍷🎉 And your castle looks like a fun place to visit but definitely too much work to keep up! Lol! 🌈😄🎨💕
Thanks Jill! 😃💕 Yeah… we’re looking forward to it! It’s been a little too long since we’ve been back. 😊 hehe But yeah, castles are way too much work! Even if I had the money, I don’t think they’d actually be my first choice! lol
Amazing castle, Charlie. I always enjoy your blog. Have fun in France! 🙂 –Sam
Thanks so much, Sam!! 😃💕 Awww… thrilled you like my blog! Thanks!
Yes – think about trying to heat the damn thing in the winter. And the dripping roof… Cool drawing, though!
Thanks, Marina! 😃💕 Yeah… all of that and more makes it a big NO… lol I’ll just have to visit someone else’s castle I think.
Great castle Charlie, I bet the dream is better than the reality any way, so much work to do on the building you would have no time to paint…all those creepy crawlies would be living rent free in your expensive dwelling….the French wine is not a bad idea😀
Thanks, Rebecca! 😃💕 Yeah… sharing your drafty space with free-loading creepy crawlies doesn’t actually seem like an awesome idea now that you mention it! 😊Lol
It would give you lots of painting opportunities having those insects sharing your home! He he
Most of the time dreams are better than reality can be. All big wishes start in your mind. Hopefull isn’t it?
And France, yes that,s the country I love!
Your painted castle is adorable Charlie, gives me the feeling of a sandcastle on a sunny beach!
Love it!
Thanks so much, Magriet! 😃💕 Big wishes do start in the mind. Love that! And glad you liked the castle… I recently painted a sandcastle and think some of that influenced me here! hehe
Another fabulous story to go with a terrific doodle! I love France. Have a wonderful holiday and show us some more fantastic doodles.
Awww thanks so much, Georgie! 😃💕 It’s still several weeks away, but we’ve finally decided to actually start planning things. Nothing like the last minute! hehe
I am all for castles Charlie and yours is lovely! much less bother too. I am SOOO Happy for you, French Wine!
ok, maybe I fibbed just a wee bit. green I am. LOL no actually, after all these posts for 12+ solid months, you so totally deserve/need it! Cheers, Debi 🙂
Hehe… thanks so much, Debi! 😃💕 Since it’s the first vacation in over 2 years, there’s really nothing to be jealous about! Lol We realized just how much we really need this little break! 😊Can’t wait!
Indeed! you really have earned a break, a real holiday, with no 24-7 social media demands! and the lovely French wines….yum. perfect for relaxation.
well…. I will have wi-fi… 😊 lol
I see! ….. you ARE going to be working, aren’t you Charlie!!! lol
No work! Just sketching, writing and posting! Hehe
I’ve nominated you for an award, details are here https://apeksharai.wordpress.com/2016/08/11/the-black-cat-blue-sea-award/
I’ve always wanted to live in a turret myself! Sounds like a fun trip…(K)
Turrets, rock!! hehe… glad you agree Kerfe! 😃💕 And yeah… the trip should be a fun nice break! We’re excited!
Beautiful once again, Charlie! Oh you will have so much fun. Looking forward to hearing all about it!
Thanks, Laura! 😃💕 Yeah… it should be a wonderful trip! I’m excited to do a little urban sketching on the trip. I wasn’t even drawing when I went there last! 😊
Yay fun!!!
If wishes could come true I’d join you and yours and me and mine to paint the hell out of your castle. None of us can afford it
Thanks, Martha! 😃💕 Hehe… yeah, it’s a bit too pricey for regular folk. And painting one is so much easier to deal with anyway!
Maybe a little more wine will help you speak more fluent French! 🍷🍷Such a majestic castle, and it is fun to dream, isn’t it? 😉
Actually, wine does help me speak better Spanish, but French still confounds me. I have no idea why. 😊Lol And yes!! It’s always fun to dream! 😃💕
Love this castle. Hope you see some in France.
Thanks so much! 😃💕 Not sure if we’ll get out of Paris this time. When driving in the country, they’re all over! hehe
Every man’s house is his castle, according to us Brits. I think the acttual castle dream is overrated, though – best left as this (tremendous!) doodlewash. I mean, think of the upkeep… it’d have you all to itself, and then what would become of us? We’d be lost!
Eee! Not long until Ratatouille! I’m excited for you, just knowing how impossibly overjoyed you are going to be! 😛
hehe… yeah… castles are way overrated I think! But glad ya liked this one! Thanks, Jacob! 😃 Lol… I’m going to be like a big crazy kid when we get to that Ratatouille ride. I hope I’m not disappointed. So much build up to this magnificent event! Haha
I too like castles, Charlie – I love the history associated with them. You’ve captured this one really well.
And never say never… dreams do come true, you know.
hehe…. I think this one might qualify for never, but as you say… who knows?! Thanks, Tom! Glad you liked this!
This is beautiful! I hope you have a wonderful trip with lots of opportunities to sketch! 😀
Awww thanks so much, Annie!! 😃💕 We’re excited!! It will be so fun!
Beautiful painting. Castles are great to dream about, but the last time I slept in a French castle a spider bit me. I think your Airbnb sounds cozy and sweet. So, traveling to France, a talented artist,wine, and a Frenchman named Philippe…c’est magnique n’est-ce pas?
Hehe… yeah, it will be pretty amazing!! Can’t wait! Thanks, Haunani! 😃💕
You already have the perfect castle for you, right in K.C., with Philippe and Phineas. Nice sketch, though.
Thanks so much!! 😃💕