Navigation Inn, Bugsworth, Saturday night, October 6th 2007.
I thought there were a bunch of really nice people at the Navigation Inn, which proudly (if a tad grandly) styles itself as "probably the best pub in the world". I was quite taken with the two landladies, Jo and Lisa, who genuinely seemed to listen to their customers, and I could think of many worse fates than spending the rest of my life in their company.
There's a good beer selection, and Lisa was earlier this year listed by licensee newspaper the Morning Advertiser as receiving CaskForce training, which suggests a good understanding of ale service.
While they had a fair selection of ciders, there was nothing that the UK Cider wiki might describe as 'real cider'.
Nevertheless, I was impressed how Jo showed a good deal of interest and curiosity when I told her of my love for good cider, and I'm sure they would give any reps from 'real cider' companies a fair hearing. Here's a heavy hint to Aspall, Kingstone, Thatchers, or even to Henry Weston. Drop off a few samples, will ya?
The picture at top shows regulars ....... (on left, name forgotten, sorry) and Zander on right, both avid Man United supporters, complete with shirts and their own private MUFC mugs, and Jo and Lisa in the centre background.
A local pub that has local customers with their own personal jugs kept behind the bar is a sign of a stable community, I always think. I'm not sure I could ever put down such roots, but it's nice to think that others do.
But as I mentioned on Saturday night, the best thing for an internet-mad boater is that the Navigation has open, free wifi! I think free wireless internet is a fantastic reason to go all the way to Bugsworth Basin, tie up and mosey over for a pint or a meal at the Navigation Inn.
There are any number of Navigation Inns in the UK, and you can be pretty sure that they all are near canals - or used to be. And I'm slowly building up a collection of photos of them.
Bugsworth's version doesn't have quite the spectacular waterside setting of the Navigation Inn I photographed a year ago at Barrow-on-Soar, but I commend it heartily for its atmosphere and beers. Good-looking menu, too, although I didn't try it. Jury's still out on cider, though. Perhaps you can persuade Jo and Lisa?
