Car Trouble Part 2 and Computer Trouble too

Woke up this morning and tried to start the car....no go again. The man who helps me was not available so I was on my own. I was able to call and get the same mechanic to come back with the little dog. Prada was so happy to see me. She jumped into my car, bounced all around, gave me kisses and was just generally spreading joy and love all over the situation.
My friend, the mechanic, figured out the problem pretty quick. The key that I was using was dead...the battery in it was not working so when I was trying to turn the car on, the alarm was not letting it start. I got my other key and it started right up....The mechanic had me follow him down to Monsieur Puppo. I tried to give him 10 euro and he would not take it.
I spoke French the whole time until I realized that he spoke perfect English.
So tomorrow I go early and he looks at the starter and solenoid ( see below). Now I know.

Automobile starter solenoid[edit]

Main article: Starter solenoid

In a car or truck, the starter solenoid is part of an automobile starting system. The starter solenoid receives a large electric current from the car battery and a small electric current from the ignition switch. When the ignition switch is turned on (i.e. when the key is turned to start the car), the small electric current forces the starter solenoid to close a pair of heavy contacts, thus relaying the large electric current to the starter motor.

Starter solenoids can also be built into the starter itself, often visible on the outside of the starter. If a starter solenoid receives insufficient power from the battery, it will fail to start the motor, and may produce a rapid 'clicking' or 'clacking' sound. This can be caused by a low or dead battery, by corroded or loose connections in the cable, or by a broken or damaged positive (red) cable from the battery. Any of these will result in some power to the solenoid, but not enough to hold the heavy contacts closed, so the starter motor itself never spins, and the engine doesn't start.

Then, the computers went out in the house. I had to go down to the computer store with Mme. L. and work that out.

Luckily the car was working so when I got back I loaded the dogs into the car and went down to the river. We walked all the way to the end of the path. There was much activity going on along the way. 

There was a fishing school in session. They had fenced off a spot in the river with a wire netting like material. This caused all fish to be trapped in a pool but the water still rushed through. 

There were seniors with waders and vests on teaching children ( boys and girls)  to fish. They were using very long poles, maybe 15' long and bobbers. We stopped and watched for awhile. It didn't seem very fair to the fish. I left after I watched an older woman rip a took out of a fishes gullet and throw it into a bucket. 

Earlier we had passed by and all of the older people were having a lovely lunch with wine and bread, cheese and pate on a picnic table on the river bank. They all turned and said bonjour to us.

The children were playing all around.

When we got down to the end where the swimming hole is, there was a tall thin huskie/wolf mix waiting for us. I threw sticks in the water while Kate and the other dog swam out. They were all having a good time when I looked up to see 3 horses coming upstream in the water. Am I in a dream? Kate was on the other side of the river and I needed to get her back before the horses came . I had to yell in my best and loudest French, ARRET! Stop! They stopped and Kate swam back to me. Emile then saw the horses and threw up a big screaming stink. It was very embarrassing. I was worried about the grimpeurs ( the cliff climbers) that were all around us. I was worried that they would think that someone was killing Emile and would look and slip by mistake. I can't get him to stop when he gets going, so we had to leave. 

We walked back towards the car when I saw a nice place to get in the water. It was very deep. I got in the water up to my waist and managed to get Emile in. He's funny as his hair is so long and when he gets in the deep water he's the big white floating hair ball with a big head. He is like a big cotton ball in water. I keep him on the leash connected to his chest harness. I connect the 2 leashes together so he can go out about 12 feel or so. 

It was great, he wouldslowly frog style swim out to the middle of the river and float around. I could tell he was really enjoying it. He would swim back to me, I would hold him for a minute and he would swim back out and around again. It was so peaceful, so quiet. It did my heart good to see him so happy.

On the way back to the car we were stopped by 2 elderly women, They asked me about Emile. The conversation was completely in French. I could understand them...

Perhaps I'm getting somewhere.