First, though, we watched the teachers march in Perth. The first time in 20 years that all four groups are out. Short story: blame the amalgamation, and provincial bargaining tactics of Mike Harris back in the day. From collective agreements with individual boards, to agreements with all teachers across the province, parents and trustees lost the ability to make choices for their kids.
Now, our premier Ford, and crew, they are unilaterally cutting services, teachers and support staff. It is awful. Student needs are increasing. Gr. 2 kids throwing things, having meltdowns. There are so many more mental health issues, biopsychosocial issues, as well as physical needs of kids. 
We went river otter hunting. It's always hit and miss. To sight them, you need open river water. JB suggested Flinton/Myers Cave Rd., but it's an hour drive, and no guarantee that they will be there. I suggested we go to Code Road first. If that isn't good, it's likely we won't see any in the open water there.
The river in Port Elmsley is open in some spots, not others. I wasn't sure if we'd see anything.
Lots of traffic...in places.
Down to Code Drive. It was frozen tighter than... well, you can finish that off! That saved us a two-hour round trip drive to Flinton. We did see them here: March 22, 2018 – River Otters. We are early for open rivers, but keen to get out of the house.
JB turned the car around, waiting for me, and I notice we have a headlight out.
We went to Smiths Falls for lunch. There is a bit of reconstruction going on. The main drag is dusty! The restaurant we headed for was closed, and we headed back to Rideau Ferry.
They are building, too. I checked Google to see what was here before.
This is last year.
Work is being done this year!
