Losing my lie-in
May 14, 2012Dear Sir,To the Billy Goat Hill (“the hill”) runners (Sabrina and friends) who wake us up every Saturday/Sunday around 6am while they get their exercise.I know the name Sabrina because someone shouted it as you attempted to ascend the hill. You stop to hydrate near our gate. Your loud laughter and talking wakes us every time you pass. Take note the houses on “the hill” are very close to the roadside, with windows overlooking the roadside, which are bedroom windows — with people sleeping on the other side. I also exercise, but do not disturb others while I do. Some people only have the weekends to sleep in. This past Saturday I also heard a child crying (6.30ish). Concerned, I opened my door to see a small boy (perhaps two years old) in the middle of the road, alone, crying, holding his blanket. I said “what’s wrong, sweetie” when a female runner (mother?) came back down, picked him up and walked down the hill. I was shocked she would leave a small child unattended in the middle of the hill. It was still damp from the heavy rain we had the day before. Could she not leave him home while she went to exercise? He doesn’t understand her need to work out, all he understands is that his mommy abandoned him in the middle of a strange ‘hill’, with regular traffic even at 6.30am.Runners please exercise quietly or run the Southampton Princess hill instead, 15 times should do it! To the mother, next time get a sitter. I was hoping this letter would not be necessary, thinking ‘maybe next weekend will be different?’ I’m tired of being woken up. I’m just plain tired.SLEEPLESS ON THE HILLWarwick