My name is Alexandrine Freiin von Allenstein, known to many as Alix, but never at home. As a child, I was taught at a private school near the family Schloss in Württemberg, and latterly at a girls only boarding school in England. Throughout my life, I have been devoted to horses and try and spent as much time in the saddle as I can.

I always strive to be a studious and hardworking girl, but I do tend to only let this apply in subjects that interest me. I must admit that I have often found myself in trouble for correcting German teachers!

My parents are both of noble background, Papa having inherited the title of Freiherr (roughly equivalent to Baron in the British peerage). Although noble titles count for nothing in Germany these days, the former aristocracy still try and act like their forebears. Papa comes from a tradition of cavalry officers (In the Wehrmacht, Imperial German and Prussian armies), and served in the Bundeswehr himself. Growing up, I was never short of lessons in past Imperial glories and how dreadful it was we weren’t the ruling class any more.

I was never really accepted at school, especially in England. In order to try and keep other girls off my back, I made myself be lazy, disrespectful and a bit of the joker. This was showing, as school reports frequently remarked on my attitude and my desire to teach my classmates rude words in German. When you share a class with three members of the British aristocracy, it’s bound to end in trouble. As I’ve said, I have very little patience with German teachers. Why they insist I “learn” a language I’ve spoken since I was a child is unknown to me. I also think I speak better English than many of my classmates!

As a child, I was spared no discipline. What in German is called “gute Tracht Prügel”, which I believe in English is called a “a good hiding” was common and severe. Papa’s chosen implement was often an old riding crop, vigorously applied to my bare bottom. Even when away at school, his letters would remind me of one due on the holidays. Isn’t it wonderful, I go from being caned at school to whipped at home and back again!

My parents finally grew tired of my antics, and decided that something needed done. I believe that the “final straw” was a rather vocal argument with a German teacher which landed me in detention for a fortnight, after a severe caning. I still maintain she was wrong.

Through some friends, they learned of Oaks and Pines, and seemed to decide that a hiding in the holidays should be matched with equal peril for my bottom during the school year as well. I can’t say I agree. Apparently they wanted to knock me back into my place. Maybe I’ll actually find some real friends for the first time in my life?