Chapter Eight: The Longest Staircase in Scotland is at Taymouth Castle, Seriously

I followed Brenda into the entry hall and looked up with amazement. "Holy Smokes Bren! Look at that staircase." She walked to the bottom stair and looked up. "Yes, it's the longest staircase in Scotland. It goes up all four floors and is over one hundred feet to the top." I could barely make out the ceiling and my old bones were repelled by the thought of climbing it, but I admired it just the same, "Your own personal Hogwarts!" She turned and gave me a blank look. "What's that?" I just shook my head. Reading wasn't her strong suit. I peered in the other rooms and saw everything was covered and huge piles of carpets and lumber were stacked against the wall. "What are you doing with all this Brenda?" She walked to the edge of the mess and said, "The remodel starts Monday for the retreat center. Well, not really remodel but more restoration work. That's why I want to go to Thailand. I don't even want you to see your room until it is finished. Let's pop down to Kenmore village and stay at the Inn and fly out to Thailand tomorrow. Director Higgins told us to take a vacay. "You're right. We've got five good years left to skulk around your castle but we've been talking about going to Thailand since 2005 when you lived in Hawaii. I'll make the arrangements."