My dream - Castle Quest

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Building And Renovating Your Own Castle

My dream

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Author	Topic: My dream
LadyCasey Member	posted 01-19-2004 01:21 PM Hello, my name is Casey McCormick, I'm 17, and I live in California...all my life (which isn't much I know) I have dreamt of owning a castle (okay maybe not my first years but you get the point) And it's not just some flimsy little dream, i'm serious about this, i'm starting college this next semester and the only reason i'm doing it is because I want to own a castle. I don't care if it is a ruin (for I will put my life efforts and earnings into restoring it)Or if it is in glorious condition (for I will keep it that way and cherish it) but I will own a castle. My family supports me for the most part, but I know they don't really take me seriously, they just urge me on into school and into putting my money away, but they think that this is just some silly notion I have, but it i'm truly serious about it. Now that we have a basis on my background, my question is, what is the best way for me to own or build my own castle? Do I save my entire life and only enjoy it for the last few years of my life? Or other ways...like loans (in other words life debt) or maybe on some great chance of marrying a castle owner? I find these very unlikely, so...I find myself wondering...how am I going to accomplish this? You on here will understand my love for castles and that is the reason I've come to you for advise...so please lay it on as hard as you want...any advise is better said than advise i'll never know. Here in California I feel as far away from my dream as possible and I have no one here who takes me seriously, so please for once someone take me seriously! Thank you greatly, Casey
Merlin Senior Member	posted 01-20-2004 03:56 AM Casey, we take everyone and his/her dreams seriously here! But I do not realy see a way to help you out. I myself would very much like to life in a real (that means medieval) castle, but I also know that this is almost impossible and can also be very uncomfortable. When I was a child, I had the opportunity to life in a medieval tower in Italy (Tuscany) for two weeks. It was great, but also very hard to take all those stairs every time you wanted to go from one room to another... I don't think that its good to focus your whole life only to reach that aim, esp. if you life in sunny California. Have you ever been to a medieval castle here in Europe and seen what it is like from the inside? [This message has been edited by Merlin (edited 01-20-2004).]
Levan Moderator	posted 01-20-2004 05:17 AM Casey It is the dream of many people on this site. Some of us at some point have fulfilled that dream. Some by building a replica (typically in the US) and others like me by buying castles in Europe and elsewhere. It was always my dream to own a castle - a dream which was fulfilled by buying Castle Levan in Scotland. You'll be surprised that purchasing a castle is remarkably attainable in some parts of the world. You can get a "liveable" castle in the more remote areas of Scotland for less than the cost of a family-sized house in Glasgow. The snag is that you'll need to be able to cope with the distances for work and social life (I needed to travel so much that I didn't actually get much time to enjoy the castle). There is another cost too - you'll need to make sure that your family (assuming you have one of your own by then) is 100% with you in your dream - it isn't enough for them just to agree to please you. Living in a castle is an incomparable experience, the joys of which are not shared by everyone - this is something I didn't really appreciate until afterwards! I've since sold the castle - a real heartache to part with it too, but still have very fond memories of the place, together with the very good lifelong friends and neighbours I made while there. Moving on to other dreams now, fully in the knowledge that yes, dreams can be fullfilled. Levan
LadyCasey Member	posted 01-20-2004 01:29 PM Thank you for the advice, I can see where you are both right. The boyfriend I have now, (who wants to marry me as soon as i'm 18. But don't worry I know i'm too young) he accepts it all and he says he would love to live in a castle...but again I don't think he takes me seriously (he doesn't think i'll ever get my castle) I've also taken into consideration that yes medieval castles are cold and damp and drafty...so I thought yes...I'll build a castle with some of the modern conveniences but when I researched all of it I found that yes I could probably eventually afford the building of the castle but I don't beleive I'll ever afford the casle AND the land that I would have to buy to put it on...so I just don't know...My parents wanted to buy land and they said I could build my castle on it someday and they would leave it to me but where I live right now it is one of the most expensive areas to buy land in california (santa babara county) and my parents don't want to buy land where they can't regularily enjoy it...so I find myself in a rut again...I suppose all I can do is try to get a good career and SAVE SAVE SAVE...and maybe...just maybe...I can work something out...
sailorman Member	posted 01-22-2004 12:02 AM LadyCasey, Don't give up on the dream - that's what keeps us going. Somewhere I have a link of "castles" in the US- will post it once I find it again. These were all built by "dreamers" And I remember seeing some listings in eastern European countries that were less than house in CA.
LadyCasey Member	posted 01-22-2004 10:03 AM Really? Thanks!! I check up on castles for sale fairly often and several of them are usually dream castles, so i've see a few, but I would love to see that list!! Thank you!! "If nothing more, and nothing less, always beleive in something"
duncan Senior Member	posted 01-23-2004 12:07 PM Lady Casey, There is nothing wrong with your dream nor should it be considered non attainable. I have wanted to build and live in a castle all my life. My wife and I are building one now, slowly but surly, and the dream has never diminished no matter how many challenges come up. Dreams are after all, what makes things happen, if you follow them. ------------------ Megan and Ralph at Castle Duncan, Castles and Medieval Discussion Forums [This message has been edited by duncan (edited 03-30-2004).]
Whitemanfrtown Member	posted 01-26-2004 04:26 AM Im not in a dissimialar boat. Ive been making progress in building mine which for the past several months has consisted of growing my business, learning about investing and gewtting active in investing. The dream becomes clearer every time that I put my attention on it and keep it alive. If one goes into agreement with people who tell you that youre full of it of course the dream will never materialize. When I asked for assistance of a financial advisor how I could make several hundred thousaand dollars within 3-5 years in order to fund this castle project... she called it a pipe dream. Instead of second guessing myself or my intentions I got a different financial advisor. Thought is boss. Thought (belief, dreams, decision) preceedes action. All it takes is guts and perserverance and often times quite a bit of learning. Duncan's been helping me with some stuff so Im primarily over at his site. Scott
Dark_Raven2032 Member	posted 03-22-2004 01:50 AM Greetings M'Lords and M'Ladies, And all Castle Lovers all around the World. Here is my dream. I want to build a Castle from scratch and if possible get people to volunteer their time to help build it. Example: Some people would love to help build a Castle from scratch just for the ex- perience of it. If I found some volunteers to help build one. I would allow each volunteer and their family to spend a vacation in the Castle each year or every 2 years depending on how many volunteers helped. I would like to make the Castle (Self-Sufficient). To pay it's own way. Here are some ways I have thought of to help the Castle pay for its self I also intend to build a chapel either inside the Castle Walls or Outside the Castle Walls: 1. Bed and Breakfast (part of the year) 2. Art Museum (once or twice a month) 3. Recording Studio (in the Chapel as I intend to make it Accoustically Perfect) 4. Wedding Chapel(and charge) 5. Medieval Feasts (and charge admission) 6. Give Free Tours to children from local schools. I also intend to make the Castle a warm inviting place with modern stuff such as: 1. Copper Pipes under/in the floor so you can heat the floor. 2. Solar Panels in the Some of the Turrets and/or have a Machine that can catch the Wind and create Electricity and store it in bat- teries. Of course these things would be hidden from view when Tourists were around. I would even figure out how to hide the modern bathroom or at least dress it up as a Medieval one. Somethings must be modern. The same with the Kitchen also. Here are some websites. That may help in your Quest to either Build or Buy a Castle: Castle Construction Planning: prussian@sedelmeier.com http://www.sedelmeier.com/ http://www.oldcastleshop.com/index.html http://www.sedelmeier.com/survey1.htm http://www.oldcastleshop.com/blick-burgtor.htm http://www.medievalcastlebuilders.com/index.html http://www.oldcastleshop.com/discussion1.htm If anyone is interested as Re-enacting the Middle Ages as a Hobby. Here is the Place to go to get started. If you are a Christian. I know of another group that does this type of thing in Florida. Just email me and I try to find the information. http://www.sca.org I hope these help. Keep the Dream Alive, Dark_Raven2032 [This message has been edited by Dark_Raven2032 (edited 03-22-2004).]
Merlin Senior Member	posted 03-22-2004 04:43 AM Why does one have to be a christian???
duncan Senior Member	posted 03-22-2004 05:40 PM I agree with what I believe Merlin hasn't said. Religion has nothing to do with building castles today. Very many topics can be discussed with out religion or politics being brought up in a public forum. In my opinion....of course.
sollner Member	posted 03-24-2004 07:52 AM wow I am inspired to build a castle in australia we pour left over concrete in 1cum bins and dump the blocks, i image the same would apply in the US - you could pick these up at transport cost, may less if you are on the way to the tip. make great walls. best of luck
duncan Senior Member	posted 03-24-2004 12:27 PM No sorry, here in the US left over concrete is dumped on the job sites as the trucks get washed out. It's not worth the transport cost to return it to the plant. ------------------ Megan and Ralph at Castle Duncan, Castles and Medieval Discussion Forums [This message has been edited by duncan (edited 03-30-2004).]
LadyCasey Member	posted 03-30-2004 01:00 PM Hello, sorry i've been away, i've been typing away at my novel, finishing school (I finished early) and finishing up my last days of work. sigh now I can relax and have time to myself and just read, write, and research!!! Well, I wanted to thank you guys for your continual support and comments, i've been looking into different careers and what not (don't have a clue where my steps are leading me) and trying to find a career i'll love, that will possibly make me enough income to at least save resonably well. haha...wish me luck! Thanks again Casey
Sir William Member	posted 04-19-2004 10:16 PM Good day Lady Casey, If you are serious about building or owning a castle, use your schooling wisely...Take some AutoCad and SolidWorks classes learn the programs (a student license is cheap)This will help in the design phase of your dream. For some castle ideas check out www.castlemagic.com , they are modern builders and I hope to contact them when I finalize my land purchase and plans. I will write more later.
LadyCasey Member	posted 04-19-2004 11:30 PM Thank you very much for your support, I will heed your advise, i'm starting college this next semester and i'm really yearning for knowledge right now, so i'm getting my hands and my head into alot of schooling and learning. I have actually checked out castle magic, I like what they do, I was planning on looking into a few others first, but they are the most organized and experienced that I have found so far I wish you the best of luck with your dreams too!! Thanks again Casey
Nicolas The First Member	posted 05-13-2004 03:52 PM Hi Casey! We are totally sharing the same dream, wich is really cool! I'm an interior design student and my dream is to have my castle too! I am 19 yo and my dream is closer everyday, do not give up, it's worth it! Hope to hear from you soon!!! ------------------ The beauty is in the thought, the wonder is in the eye, but the castles are forever... Nicolas The First -Non nova, sed nove- http://www.canadacastle.hpg.com.br/
LadyCasey Member	posted 05-14-2004 10:31 AM Hey!! That's awesome, I usually don't meet people my age that want to build a castle like me, actually I don't think I've ever met one who was serious, that's really cool. Interior design huh? How do you like that? Sounds interesting and fun. I'm not going to school for anything really having to do with my castle, mostly just trying to get an education so I can get a career to pay for it, hehe. Thanks for the support! I wish you best of luck one your castle too!!!
Ludwig Member	posted 05-28-2004 02:41 AM I also share your dreams of building and living in my own castle. I only 21, but I have felt the way I do since I was about 10. I have always been interested in architecture, and it is a hobby of mine to design buildings. Also being interested in history, I read a lot about Greek and Roman history, and in tandem, architecture. As my interest deepened and I researched more and more, I became more interested in medieval architecture, and eventually castles. They combine functionality, strength, endurance, and beauty to become one of historical architectures' finest products. Anyway, I am also pursuing my dream of buying land and building my own citadel. It is a reality, and anyone who tells you otherwise should keep their jaded thoughts to themselves. It may take time and and an immense amount of money, but you can do it!
LadyCasey Member	posted 05-29-2004 01:15 PM Hello!!! Thank you for your support, I have found so much of it on this bulletin board that I don't think I can ever lose hope now!! I wish you the best of luck on your dreams as well. Casey
Osiris Member	posted 06-08-2004 01:45 AM hello all, i just joined after i read the entusiasm and seriousness that each of you provided for each other. I am 18 years old and have wanted to build myself a castle for a very long time. But i always thought that i wouldnt be able due to the fact of so many constraints. But hearing you all talk of your dreams really allowed me to believe in my dream again. I live in Australia and am wanting to build my castle on a large green property, yet Australia doesnt really have a lot of that so that was my main concern... Hearing of these concrete slabs workers throw away was very enheartening though i dont know where to get them. Im very pleased to find people who share my interests as i always thought i was the only one with this dream, but now i know im not alone. Thanks for offering me hope once more!
James AP Owen Member	posted 06-13-2004 12:47 AM Hi Casey, I have that dream of owning my own Castle too. I am trying to find the Castle once occupied by Owen Glendower b. 1359 d. 1416. I am a descendant of his. Owen Glendower is my 15th Great Grandfather and I want to live in his Castle if it is still standing. Stay with your dream and I am sure you will make it happen. Take Care. ------------------ James AP Owen
Hyle Member	posted 06-14-2004 03:10 PM Good luck with building you castle and don't give up the dream. I'm sure many people get the same reaction as you do. I'm also determined to have a castle even if its not a grand one and is more related to a keep. I've been looking at castlemagic myself and their work looks really good (and the fact that they cost almost the same as a comparably sized home). I actually like the Castle Kalikai which to those who haven't visited castlemagic.com is the smallest/least expensive and extravagant design. I wonder if anyone has seen/knows about pictures (colour preferably) of the castles' interiors and exteriors (both walls and wide shots) during construction and afterwards. I'd be very interested in those as on the site was b&w of very limted things and the plans which have the ability to make things look bigger. On the waste of concrete, I'm sure if you talk with the (sub)contractor and express a desire for the excess concrete they may be able to accomodate. Of course this is dependant on 1) how (and where from/to) its being transported if it in a basic cement truck getting it all out is obviously difficult, but if its being brought if by a dump truck (probably only for alot of pouring and the plant is within a few miles) they can scrape some out 2) a thought ahead plan like having some wood planks together in a grid pattern to make bricks. Just pour the excess on and smooth it across the grid. Just a few thoughts [This message has been edited by Hyle (edited 06-14-2004).]
PsykoKat Member	posted 06-24-2004 10:03 PM I agree with everyone here. Don't give up on your dream no matter what obstacles get in your way. I am 23 and am hoping to build my own castle some day, as are many people here. A site that I have found inspiring over the past few years is www.dupontcastle.com. A guy is building his own castle out of concrete blocks, the construction method I hope to use. A lot of naysayers on this board say that isn't a real castle, and I understand their point of view. Technically, no one nowadays can build an actual CASTLE. But we can build the castle-like structure of our dreams!
LadyCasey Member	posted 06-25-2004 12:31 PM Wow, so many people with this awesome dream! I hope all of us succeed, maybe after college when I start to travel I will be able to meet some of you and help those that have started their castles!! Once again thanks for the support and I wish you the best too!!! Talk to you guys later!!
levanne Member	posted 07-05-2004 04:26 PM Hi I would advise you to try and stay in a castle to see what it is really like to live in one! It certainly wasn't to my liking! However if you enjoy it then I really hope you get what you want and your dream becomes reality Levanne
Hawkeye Member	posted 07-11-2004 06:59 PM I really hope you all get your castles built. You all sound so enthusiastic about it, and I wish you best of luck. For those building there own castles I see it as one of two options. 1. do research for it, you'll probably have to order, or buy a book, I can't find much on the internet about it. 2. or hire an architect that will take the job seriously. sorry if this sounds obvious, but I just wanted to help. I also agree with what was said earlier. "No one can build an actual castle now" so don't let the sour critics get to you it's your dream afterall, so go for it.
rileybreed Member	posted 08-26-2004 06:03 PM Keep dreaming of building a castle. Anything can be achieved when you focus. I have dreamed of building a castle for many years, I'm 31 now and will be buying land in the next few years to start building my castle. www.castlemagic.com has designs that can be used and they can offer very valuable advice. Their plans include modern day advances such as insulation and up-to-code structural support. Radiant floor heating would be ideal, fireplaces help a lot in northern climates. The ideal way is to have a plan that you can start small and build on later when you have the finances and time. Try to learn a lot about stone work and do a lot of the work yourself. Utilize the materials on your land if you have any, such as rock and timber. Check with all your local building codes and see what permits you may need as well as height restrictions and such. Contact your local government and see if you can get any financial help for building a future historical landmark? You may be surprised how many people share your dream and have actually been able to do it!
Panzara Member	posted 02-27-2005 08:09 PM It's really great that you guys want to build a castle but after reading some of the postes i would really stress caution. Try and stay out of debt as much as possible and make sure you have a steady job. If you get into debt you can really mess up your life and the life of your kids. I'm All for building a castle. I'm 16 and have a dream of a perfect castle but i plan collage and a well spent life in with my dream. You don't want people to look down on you because your "showing off" with your castle. People are really stupid and harsh in judging what everyone else does. that is why i join sites like these. It would be great to have a castle, but that can't rule my life. (people think my small 4 story house is a castle, I'm sorry they've never really thought or researched what a castle would look like). Go for your dream but do it slowly and with caution. (a castle really would be nice).
frodo Member	posted 04-02-2005 08:21 AM Hi from newzealand An old couple here in newzealand have built there own castle. Its sitting on top of a huge hill, which is surrounded by forest at the base. The castle has turrets, battlements and even a draw bridge. So any thing is possible. The castle is a distraction when your driving. The town its outside is called putauru, about half an hour from where hobbiton was filmed in lord of the rings. I havent gone for a closer look at it, but your allowed to have a tour.Ill try find out more info.