Catherine Broughton is a published author, blogger, poet and artist.
Catherine is English but was born in South Africa . Her father was a doctor of tropical disease and his work took the family all over the world. They spent many exciting years in various parts of Africa, the South Pacific, Switzerland and, later, Spain, Belize and France. This life of travel is reflected in her novels.
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Snippets of French history: Coco Chanel
Gabrielle Chanel (1883-1971) got her nickname of Coco when performing in a bar soon after she left the orphanage where she grew up.
She was the illigitimate and fourth child of a Parisian couple who married when Coco was about a year old. Read more
The National Autistic Society
OUR GUEST BLOG TODAY COMES FROM THE NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY
The National Autistic Society (NAS) is the UK’s leading charity for people affected by autism. The charity provides information, support and services, and campaigns for a better world for people with autism. Read more
Snippets of French history: Chopin.
Chopin (1810-1849) was described by his mistress as “more Polish than Poland”. Although many think of him as a Frenchman, he was Polish and, although he lived in France for the last 19 years of his life, he never spoke French particularly well. Read more
Portugal: the palace at Sintra
I am not sure whether to call this a palace or a castle, though the Portugese refer to it as the Palace of Pena. I have seen many many palaces and castles and on the whole feel thoroughly palaced-out and totally castled-out, so wasn’t overkeen on visiting this one. Read more