26 February 2006
Stacey Jones' family is coming to terms with life in France and they've sent us some of their family photos to show their loyal fans how they're settling in.
Stacey and his wife Rachelle sent the snaps back to New Zealand with The Mad Butcher Peter Leitch, who has been holidaying with the couple and their kids at their Perpignan home in the beautiful south of France.
Rachelle told Sunday News that the couple's children Chellcey, seven, Waiana, five, and baby William were loving the change of lifestyle with the eldest two already settling well into school and enjoying a different culture.
"Waiana goes to preschool and they have baguettes with camembert or brie for morning tea, which is totally different to what we would give them for morning tea at home," Rachelle said.
"It's amazing, we got beetroot that wasn't even in a tin. You can really taste the difference."
Although swopping their Kiwi life for France has been a bit of a wrench for the Jones family, Rachelle said having fellow Kiwi Alex Chan and his family living in the same street made things easier.
"We call it Ramsay Street," she said. "The kids play together and we all get on really well."
"Plus having other families like ours has made life easier."
Next on their list of methods to acclimatise to their new country is language lessons.
Stacey and Rachelle will this week start learning French from a private tutor.
"I have picked up a bit of French already by going to the markets," Rachelle said.
"But from next week a tutor is coming to our home where Stacey and I will start lessons. The language is a big barrier.
"We haven't come across any rude French people yet because as long as you try to speak their language, they meet you half way."
The move to France, where Stacey plays for Les Catalan Dragons in English Super League, was all going swimmingly until The Little General broke his right arm last weekend.
"At this initial stage he could be out for up to 12 weeks," Rachelle said.
"It's a real shame ... but that's football. There will be a couple of weeks where Stacey can't do any physical training before he gets back into fitness on the bike. We might do a bit of travelling."
Rachelle said the only downside to living in France was moving away from their family. "Everything is all good apart from missing the family. But it is good for us," she said.
"We really miss having the family around.
"We could ring family on the night to babysit but that's all changed."
Stacey Jones' family is coming to terms with life in France and they've sent us some of their family photos to show their loyal fans how they're settling in.
Stacey and his wife Rachelle sent the snaps back to New Zealand with The Mad Butcher Peter Leitch, who has been holidaying with the couple and their kids at their Perpignan home in the beautiful south of France.
Rachelle told Sunday News that the couple's children Chellcey, seven, Waiana, five, and baby William were loving the change of lifestyle with the eldest two already settling well into school and enjoying a different culture.
"Waiana goes to preschool and they have baguettes with camembert or brie for morning tea, which is totally different to what we would give them for morning tea at home," Rachelle said.
"It's amazing, we got beetroot that wasn't even in a tin. You can really taste the difference."
Although swopping their Kiwi life for France has been a bit of a wrench for the Jones family, Rachelle said having fellow Kiwi Alex Chan and his family living in the same street made things easier.
"We call it Ramsay Street," she said. "The kids play together and we all get on really well."
"Plus having other families like ours has made life easier."
Next on their list of methods to acclimatise to their new country is language lessons.
Stacey and Rachelle will this week start learning French from a private tutor.
"I have picked up a bit of French already by going to the markets," Rachelle said.
"But from next week a tutor is coming to our home where Stacey and I will start lessons. The language is a big barrier.
"We haven't come across any rude French people yet because as long as you try to speak their language, they meet you half way."
The move to France, where Stacey plays for Les Catalan Dragons in English Super League, was all going swimmingly until The Little General broke his right arm last weekend.
"At this initial stage he could be out for up to 12 weeks," Rachelle said.
"It's a real shame ... but that's football. There will be a couple of weeks where Stacey can't do any physical training before he gets back into fitness on the bike. We might do a bit of travelling."
Rachelle said the only downside to living in France was moving away from their family. "Everything is all good apart from missing the family. But it is good for us," she said.
"We really miss having the family around.
"We could ring family on the night to babysit but that's all changed."
