Christmas 1998, as a seven year old, I recall accompanying my parents around Comet, Dixons and the other large electronics chain stores in Norwich. I was particularly mesmerised by the Spectrum 128k, with it's built-in cassette machine.
I awoke a few days later on Christmas morning, tearing the wrapping off of the presents in my pillow-case stocking while munching on a Terry's Chocolate Orange. I reached the bottom of the pile, yet there was no Spectrum in sight.
As was usual back in those days, my elder sister I would jump into our parents bed, while my mum brought morning cups of tea and biscuits. I was a little disappointed with my presents and was clearly struggling to contain my unhappiness. My father gets out of bed, opens the wardrobe and pulls out an enormous box, gesturing to my sister and I to tear-off the wrapping paper.
Wow, it was a computer...it wasn't black, and it didn't say 'Spectrum', but with all those keys it certainly was a computer. I recall being a little curious as to the lack ofbuilt-in cassette deck. "It doesn't use tapes" my father announced, "this is an Amiga - a brand new computer that uses floppy disks!".
My father and I spent the entire morning setting up the A500 to no avail. He spent half an hour speaking on the phone to one of his computer owning friends, yet still no progress was made.
My sister and I spent the day typing our own names on an unpowered Amiga!
I believe it was boxing day, or perhaps the day after. My family and I ventured into Norwich city centre, clutching the A520 modulator - somehow my father had isolated the problem down to this component as the Amiga would only boot discs when the modulator was disconnected.
Strolling along 'Gentleman's Walk', we popped into OSB ('One Step Beyond') - the leading computer store in Norwich in those days - and explained the fault to the sales chap.
Returning that afternoon with a replacement modulator, we all gathered around the colour television in the living room and gasped as the Amiga booted, showing the famous 'insert disc' prompt. I fumbled around and inserted 'The Very First English Version' into the slot.
'Get the best!' the text announced... on Christmas 1988 the Battle family had done just that!
Great memories.
Cheers,
James
x
ps. I am curious about the original posted - clearly interested in Japan and living in Norwich what a terrific combination.
