Parallel Lives tells the story of our time in a small town in the foothills of the French Pyrenees: how we came to live there and the experiences gained living, walking and working between two countries.
Jennifer Andrewes
New Zealand-born, as a child, I spent time living in France, kicking off a life-long love affair with the country.
A communications professional, I have worked in tourism and government roles in New Zealand and in the UK, and as a freelance travel writer. Our blog on the family’s French adventures was widely enjoyed and it was prompting from readers that led me to write a book about our experiences. A seasoned pilgrim, my passion for walking defines me. My blogs and virtual Camino experiences have attracted a loyal following and I am currently working on a second book, which will chronicle my French pilgrimage experiences. If you’d like to collaborate with me, GET IN TOUCH
Latest posts
Pilgrimage for Parkinson’s
April 9, 2022
After more than two years of being grounded in New Zealand as a result of the pandemic, I’m excited to be returning to ...more
Hiking to Puilaurens castle
December 5, 2019
Nicholas loves to hike, so this visit, with regular winter walks in mind, we took a trip to Decathlon in Carcassonne and invested ...more
Settling in to French school
November 25, 2019
As Nicholas heads off for his fourth week in school at the Ecole Paulin Nicoleau in Quillan, I am astounded at just how settled he ...more
Follow your dream
After a long hunt, we finally took possession of our dream house – and our dream life in France. We’ve put together some simple tips to help you follow in our footsteps and have made our house available to rent, so it’s even easier for you to live the dream too. READ MORE
Discover the Aude
The Aude is beautiful to visit in any season, benefiting from great weather, stunning scenery, historic sites and a range of activities all year round.
Spring
“The Aude River running looks cold and swift, in spite of the season. We are caught hook, line and sinker, like the fish we can see the village children pulling from the current as we cross into the square over the 12th-century bridge.”
Summer
“There’s barely a weekend without musical entertainment of some kind. Events are the lifeblood of the square, drawing large crowds, bringing custom to the cafés and bars, whose traffic otherwise ebbs and flows throughout the day.”
Autumn
“There’s a growing chill in the air, but outside dining is still the norm and the days are still relatively long. For now the trees are still fully clothed in their red and gold cloaks of leaves and we make the most of the fresh air and conversation.”
Winter
“The café tables are no longer out on the pavement so that if you want to eat out, you have to eat in, so to speak. What you lose in the charm of street umbrellas, you gain in the conviviality of tables close together in the warmth of the dining room.”