After getting home from work much later than anticipated last night I raced in, and took a bath and made dinner for my husband simultaneously, and then panicked over not having time enough to prepare my food contribution for GMG’s holiday bash hosted by Fred Bodin. Recalling Joey’s suggestion about giving a gift of Ryan and Wood spirits, I made a quick stop at the liquor store on my way over. I know very little about spirits and decided to do what I often do when purchasing wine, which is to find the prettiest label. The Knockabout Gin looked especially appealing, with a striking schooner in black and white, and crisp blue border. Fred accepted the bottle graciously and I poured some drinks. Later that evening Fred’s girlfriend, Janet, mentioned that she thought I had given him that particular selection because I knew that it was Fred’s photo on the label. No I didn’t know, but there it is–a gorgeous Fred Bodin photo of a Knockabout schooner!
Fred Bodin’s Knockabout Gin Label of the Schooner Adventure
The party was still going strong when I arrived and it was fantastic to see so many super nice, wonderful FOBS all in one place. Great to meet you Al Bezanson and Sarah Kelly and to put a face to your exceptional comments and posts!
Many, many thanks to Fred and Janet for hosting a sensational party!!!
Honestly I don’t have much experience from which to draw a comparison but found the Ryan and Wood Knockabout Gin deliciously aromatic and flavorful. According to the Ryan and Wood website, the gin is distilled in small batches in a custom built copper pot still and the list of ingredients include juniper berries, coriander seed, angelica root, orris root, orange peel, and licorice root.
Knockabout Schooners, from the Ryan and Wood website: “Knockabout gin is named to honor the fishing schooners built at the turn of the century. Their design eliminated the bowsprit to allow for easier handling at the crowded wharves. It also helped prevent loss of life at sea due to fishermen being washed off the bowsprit while working the heavy sails in the challenging waters of the North Atlantic.”
Good Morning Gloucester 
Thanks Kim. The vessel on the Knockabout Gin label is our own Schooner Adventure. I will help Adventure, which I hope we’ll see under full sail this summer.
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The adventure is so beautiful Fred, as is your photo!
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It was great to make the party at last, and extra great to meet you in person. And Fred too of course!
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Is this anonymous person Sarah? So good to meet you too!
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I met and spoke to Sarah Kelley at the party. I learned in a short time that she is very nice and very intelligent. I told her about my project to save energy in the gallery, which does not require a large investment in a wind turbine. I’ll be posting on GMG about this in January.
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My impression too and looking forward to seeing your post Fred!
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Oops! Didn’t realize I was anonymous! It is indeed me. Again, great to meet you and look forward to reading your posts.
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Whenever I couldn’t wait for something to happen my mother always said never to wish for time to pass too quickly. But I can’t wait to see the Adventure cruising out of the harbor under full sail.
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That will be an amazing day for Gloucester–I think the whole town will be there cheering them on!
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I’d just like to add something to the description of the enclosed bow of the knockabout schooner. The dangerous bowsprit on conventional schooners was called the “Widow Maker.”
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Thank you Fred for the info. At a clients waiting for rug delivery and will read more about it tonight when I get home. The widow maker sounds very grim and telling of the extreme dangers of fishing in olden times.
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