Wheel hubs

Mindful that one of these had fallen off after it had been knocked off by someone hitting the corner of my vehicle, causing minor damage whilst parked on the road outside of my house, AND when I'd replaced it but it fell off again, (I know not where), I managed to pass the motor vehicle scrap yard whilst it was open.  Not knowing the French words even to begin to ask for what I needed,  I mentioned 'couverture' and 'roue' and the very polite young man with neat, dreadlock hair who was wearing welly boots came to look at the car.  Off he went in search of what I needed.  Then I  looked at my car which is not something I often do and noticed that a second and a third were also 'abimé'  ( (worn out! - damaged)  and ah, maybe I needed two or three, or, oh, FOUR wheel hub covers!  There I stood for an exceedingly long time, thinking how annoyed he might be if he arrives with one but I need more... and whilst I stood there, I considered how much one might cost and how much I might like to pay, bearing in mind it IS a scrap yard where everything has its value to those who need it!  Imagine my joy when this intelligent man arrived with four. They were a different pattern yet were for a Clio! I understood all of that but not heard a word that I could translate... This happens a lot more recently.  I don't know EXACTLY in words what the French person has said but I can reply!

So we agree to try them to see what they look like... and I noticed that as he passed the second wheel he too had seen that the second was broken and wouldn't last long.  He had made another comment which words escaped me but translation didn't.  Something to do with the driver scraping the car hubs on the pavement ... but he didn't say that of course!  He said he'd noticed that two were required! Well, I asked how much and he said 15e for the four. Without batting an eyelid, asked for 'baisser' svp.. but I struggled to remember that French word which he supplied!  Yes, that's it!  So, I got the four for 10e.  At the time, another language process happened. I interpreted that he meant each when I knew he meant for the four.   As he fitted them I said I had to keep the car on the road.  He commented 'comme tout le monde' ... I panicked, not wishing to cause offense and so, wasn't sure whether to tip him or not... there was no receipt, so I hoped he took a cut!  It's hard to make a moral decision without someone to discuss it with.  Afterwards I felt a bit mean because I then remembered my earlier thoughts and the minimum-maximum cost I was prepared to pay!  Scrooge! Ah.. humbug! 

Car repair

Apart from noises at the front of the vehicle to do with the offside wheel and steering, which necessitated two visits and of course a cost, the garagiste heard a noise from the rear wheel and on investigation discovered that the rear drum brake had broken into two parts!
The initial noise was 3 clacks - one as the car started to roll forward and two as I drove onto the road turning in a sharp right S shape. The car was oiled at suspension points and 12 screws tightened under the chassis, I think for the steering rack joints. When I started to leave the garage there was a different gravel crunching noise.  I called Monsieur J who listened, who called Monsieur E who listened, who suggested I take my car as it was not serious and when the French MOT is due in February and I still have the noise in perhaps warmer weather then to let them know!  Hm?  After I left the garage and within a very short distance I had two new noises that weren't there before:

1. a squeak as I turn the steering wheel to the left 

2. the brakes squealed as I journeyed to the petrol station. 

I found myself writing about the differences between the language of France and England in an email to a friend.
"The car repair bill made a large dint in the pocket but now the vehicle is safe.  It was unknowingly dangerous before the repair.  It was a blessing that there was no accident."
This set me thinking about the use of the word  bless .

LANGUAGE:
It was a blessing that there was no accident. 

C'était une bénédiction qu'il n'y avait aucun accident. 
A blessing in disguise = mal pour un bien

 blesser  verb transitif =  to injure, to wound 

Il a été blessé dans un accident de voiture.    He was injured in a car accident.  

blesser = to hurt physically as well as to cause offence

Il a fait exprès de le blesser.    He hurt him on purpose. 

 blessées = casualties
  
 to bless = bénir
 A blessing = une bénédiction (as from the Catholic religion)
Bless you! = a tes souhaits!
Bless you! when thanking someone = Merci mille fois tu es un ange = Thank you a thousand times you are an     
angel.    

If you are blessed with a gift  =être doué(e)  de  
 Elle est douée d'un immense talent.= She is blessed with immense talent.  

The First Daffodil

Yesterday a small yellow Spring flower dared to bob her glorious head at the edge of the village!

Yesterday with a little help from a friend and 7 return journeys we transported and stacked 5 stères of oak logs.  That will make 10 stères since May 2011. I will be interested to see how much I burn and hope that for the future I can find a local supplier.

The car, trailer and my old coat, covered in mud, had to be cleaned and the car is due for a visit to the garage. I am aware that my car is of a certain age and in 2011 it cost me several thousand euros to repair but it needs to survive for just a while longer.
UPDATE: The initial noise was 3 clacks - 1 as I started to roll forward and 2 after each other as I drove onto the road turning in a sharp right S shape. The car was oiled at suspension points and about 12 screws tightened under the chassis and I think for the steering rack joints. When I started to leave the garage there was a different gravel-crunching noise.  I called Monsieur J who listened, who called Monsieur E who listened, who suggested I take my car as it was not serious and when the French MOT is due in February and I still have the noise in perhaps warmer weather then to let them know!  Hm... this sounds very French.  Then within a very short distance I have two new noises that weren't there before:
1. a squeak as I turn the steering wheel to the left
2. the brakes squealed as I journeyed to the petrol station.
The following day it appeared that all noises had gone.
However, what I have ascertained is that apart from two new tyres at the front of the vehicle it should pass the Controle Technique in 2 months time. This is necessary every two years unlike the English one year MOT.  Fingers crossed! Hm??? Cars  and Houses ... aint life fun!

FRENCH LANGUAGE

A  stère /stɛʁ/ masculin (pronounced as in stair) is of Greek origin meaning solid.  It is a measure of volume, particularly of wood, equal to one metric cube.