Railway research

As usual, I came up with dialogue for a scene first, then had to do some belated historical research to check that it was actually possible afterwards!

https://www.persee.fr/doc/rga_0035-1121_1931_num_19_2_4576
The railway from Paris to Lyons opened in 1856 (well before Raoul was born).
( railway data )

( timings )

Assuming an afternoon train, our voyagers aren't going to arrive at the château before dark, given that they'll have to travel an unspecified distance from the station as well. Although they must be approaching midsummer by now; I reckoned mid-May for Christine's Lapp, plus three to four days before her escape, plus another ten to twelve days before she meets Raoul, and an unspecified amount of travelling time from Halvestad to Paris; at least a week, I should think. That puts us into the first week or so of June at this point.

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( snip telegraphs )

Cream and milk (and yoghurt)

I wonmder if the reason why cream -- which I'm used to thinking of as a luxury -- seems so cheap nowadays is because it's basically a waste product of the demand for 'healthier' skimmed milk? (Which used to be regarded as a waste product after the cream had been removed for making butter!)

Incidentally, night-time temperatures in the seventies are excellent for making yoghurt; my pot no longer needs its added hot water bottle but sets solid all on its own.