taste of the birch?

[Seb]

It would be impossible really to compare the birch with a cane as there is no standard birch.

Birch enthuiasts might like to google Andi Switch who with Cassie Hunter has carried out some practical studies using a spray birch.

The results are to be found in Andi's blog and would certainly surprise most people who doubt ther severity of the birch.

[Seb]

The birching supremos currently seem to be Cassy Hunter, Andi Switch and Miss Markwell. All can be googled for contact details.

I recently spoke to one of the three and understand that birching jamboree, if thats the right word, is likely to take place in the future if there is sufficient interest!

[Oliver1955]

I disagree. Properly made, a birch stings like the blazes - equivalent to but different from the cane. But if the twigs are sufficiently light, it leaves just light marks, and can be used again and again, unlike a cane.

As a schoolboy I used to birch myself on the common in Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire. I would walk deep into the woods, tearing off birch twigs as I walked, and fashioning a light birch rod which I tied with twine (ribbon is cuter). When I was sure that I was alone I used to kneel and take down my trousers and pants - often I used to wear shorts underneath my trousers, which I wore as I prepared the birch rod. Then baring my bottom I used to whip myself as hard as I could for as long as I could stand. I used to wonder what would happen if anyone stumbled across me! The birch stung hard and it was hard to continue after a few strokes. But never left marks that lasted more than a day.