CamPiNG WiTH CoBB

By Dieter Harm, Member #1206

Iwas first attracted by her curves, the perfect symmetry. The gleam that radiated from her skin oozed strength and heat. Would she be too hot to handle? The clincher however was her perfect size; 30cm, she complied with the Beemer Pannier Standard, the gold sizing standard for travel companions. She would be a perfect fit. We first met online (cobbaustralia.com. au) which seems to be the norm nowadays. I was planning on doing some camping but with all the Fire Bans, was searching for a solution to the campfire issue. Staring into a flame is one of evolutions oldest and most powerful genetic memories, it stirs the soul. Without fire, there is no camping. A day of adventure riding the back roads is fun in it’s own right, but it is not really complete without the warming glow and orange reflections of flaming embers upon which to ponder the days events, those sphincter tightening moments when one stared down the abyss.

Pannier Mode

And so Cobb would come into my life. She would become my portable fire pit and roaster, to provide comfort at the camping locations. Stripped of her handles and protective mesh, she was the perfect pannier fit. Removing protection generally has consequences and in this case she would need to be fitted with 3 clay pot shoes to elevate her bottom 20mm above ground, thus providing sufficient ventilation for the heat beads to burn, using a similar heating principle to the Webers.

Roasting Mode

The hot plate handle was also altered to double as a handle for removing her top. She likes to get very hot! Twelve heat beads will deliver a small roast in 2 hours/4 beers. With feasting commenced, I generally add six more heat beads to maintain a warming fire glow over the next few hours of alcohol consumption as old mate settles for dreamtime. Cobb has her pros and cons.

Campfire Mode

She is certainly no raging hot log burner fire, more of a comfort flame, a flame for contemplation. She certainly saves a lot of hassle sourcing and splitting timber, just leave home with 20 heat beads. And she is definitely a great cook, knows how to treat the meat with absolute tenderness. When the big wind shifts start raging through camp, there is a peace of mind in having a controlled flame within Cobbs ample body. This allows one to focus on the important issues of what the southern night sky has to show and whether the alcohol is working correctly. If flame colour is your thing, some magic dust will add blue/greens to the orange ember glow. In fact, if camping along the Clarence, there would be range of alternative medicines available to enhance the psychedelic experience. The Clarence River provides a number of excellent camping locations. The headwaters commence in the Great Dividing Range north of Tabulam before heading south to Grafton and finally east to empty into the Pacific at Yamba. The photos were taken at the Clarence Wilderness Retreat (clarenceriver.com) which provided some spectacular views and a great bush symphony. After a few hours working the twisties of the Border Ranges, it was a great

location to end the day.

Clarence Camping Mode