On Mon, 9 Nov 2020 09:42:16 +0000, Peter Hill
wrote:

snip

Sorry but I'm only 61!

I have 3 years on you. ;-)

I got the big town plan Lego set for Xmas that year.

I went though a phase of getting various Lego packs for Xmyth as it
was an easy one for people to get for me. I'm not sure there were that
many 'specialised' bits in the early days, maybe the odd clear window
or door but apart from that it was mostly just 'bricks'?

The good thing about Lego is that I think what was my 'set' (it grew
into an old suitcase) was played with by our daughter and is now being
played with by a niece and nephew. ;-)

Only found out this
year that Dad was a hero and ate a lot of cornflakes as it was a
Kellogg's cornflakes coupon offer.

Aww. ;-)

Sometime in mid/late 60's I got a walkie-talkie kit that I think was
Phillips. 3 transistors if I recall.

When asked what I wanted for one Xmyth by Dad (he didn't normally ask)
I replied 'a Radio controlled boat' and that turned up to be a
*complete* kit of parts, not just the plywood boat (Sea Commander) but
the transmitter and receiver. ;-)

Also had a kit that had sort of springs that wires connected to make
circuits between the components. Had a LDR, torch bulb, buzzer/speaker
and I think 1 transistor.

I can remember getting a medium sized tin, making some face like holes
in it and fitting some batteries and loads of wires and a buzzer
inside and a switch that would turn on the buzzer and a light when you
press a particular place on the back. I took it to school and could
make this robot 'talk' (one buzz for yes, two for no) in a way that
no-one ever worked out. ;-)

Spoilt brat?

I don't feel I was in one respect, I rarely got to ask for anything
but at the same time was given some very nice things (or kind
gestures).

I would never dream (and never got) a new bike for example but I think
I was bought a nice (it was quite robust and had a wooden deck) Triang
(?) scooter.

One particular instance of Dad being particularly thoughtful (rather
than Mum, who always was ...) was when he came in from work and handed
me a couple of tropical fish to put in the tiny tank I'd set up myself
that had a few of my mates surplus guppies in. I was slightly thrown
and wasn't sure if it was a 'good thing' (they were too big for my
tank) but he then asked me to go and empty the car boot like he often
did.

So, I put the bag with these two new fish in (and really wanted to
deal with them there and then, the boot could wait) but you didn't
keep dad waiting so off I trotted down the garden and out the back
alley to the car (I think that was the 2000e at the time), I opened
the boot and there was a 2' x 18" x 12" tank, pump, gravel, water
treatment chemicals and some plants in bags and all you would need to
set up a proper system. ;-)

I wouldn't keep fish now of course but it was a lovely surprise then.
;-)

Cheers, T i m