My Quiz question for Castle Donington was, of course, Nikita Khrushchev, who opened the power station at short notice when “H” from Steps became unavailable.
Just over the border in Derbyshire is the large canalside village of Sawley, where no doubt Nikita stopped for a cob and pint of Pedigree back in 1956, though those records have yet to be released to the public.
Sawley village still has a rather improbable nine pubs left, all of them with real ale. In light of recent blog debate, I can confirm that none of them have more than a handful of (standard) beers on, though plenty for fans of Marston’s and Greene King here.
But that’s why I like Sawley. Folk choose their pub for proper reasons like cheery company, darts and proximity to a chippy, rather than what slightly different pale ale is on this week. Even the foody places are properly pubby here.
The Railway has choice. There were four types of cob.
This was my fourth GBG pub visit to Sawley, and a relatively rare chance to visit a dedicated Pedigree house. The styling isn’t as impressive as Bass, but the windows still work for me, offering that tantalising view into a four-roomer built around a central bar.
No doubt Simon will have a pint of Hobgoblin when he gets here in 2019; he’s like that. I do wonder why pubs that exist on Pedi or Bass and lager bother with other beers. Certainly none of the half-dozen old boys round the bar were being conned by interlopers.
There’s some disquiet at Marstons latest rebranding of its core range of beers. Of interest only to purists, those black pumpclips aren’t the same as you’ll find in Burton or Stoke.
Anyway, a Pedi and cheese (not grated) & onion cob and packet of Salty Dog later, and all was well with the world in retiredmartin land. Actually, the cob was slightly better than the Pedi (NBSS 3), but that was still better than the stuff Richard Coldwell doesn’t get on with oop north.
As usual in a proper pub, the resident dog became a bit tormented by my cob, and even more tormented when the music went from Stereophonics to Coldplay, which was clearly my cue to leave.
retiredmartin 
Nods in agreement…
LikeLiked by 1 person
The photo of the long boat in front of the pub is really nice. Great shot.
LikeLike
It is a lovely picture…from many years ago, but it isn’t Sawley Marina, it is Trent Lock just a bit further along the river. It was taken around 1997 based on my blog pictures. (The Steamboat was #199 on Pubs: Then & Now – http://pubsthenandnow.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/199-steamboat-inn-trent-lock-long-eaton.html )
Also, while ‘Pedantic Pete’ is out of the box it is a Narrowboat – it was the Vikings that used Longboats!
LikeLike
Well done Pete – knew you’d know. Thought the pub was called sawley marina
LikeLike
LOL. I may insert more errata to keep you guys busy!
LikeLike
There’s the Steamboat right by the eponymous lock (as pictured) and, less than 100 yards away to the right is the Trent Lock ‘pub’ (well, it’s a Vintage Inn now) that used to be called the Trent Navigation Inn.
We’ve never actually stopped at Sawley, but The Railway looks like a good place to visit – I like a choice of cobs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely pic
LikeLike
Have added acknowledgement Pete
LikeLike
I think,the whole area where the River Soar , Erewash canal and now closed Cranfleet canal meet the River Trent is called Trent Lock,the lock that that narrowboat is pictured on is the last lock on the Erewash Canal with the Steamboat pub facing it.
You are getting closer to where i live now Martin.
One more point,Sawley was a village years ago but has been swallowed up by Long Eaton and is now an area of it,the Long Eaton station of today used to be called Sawley Junction station,but when they closed Long Eaton town station down they renamed Sawley Junction to Long Eaton.
On another note i did a new post on my blog which took ages to do and the response was poor,i may knock it on the head for a while as i am a bit *issed off by so low viewing figures.
LikeLike
Alan, don’t throw it in. Nice post. I find it takes a bit to work a new blog into my routine. Slowly though your posts will become part of the morning read. Nice stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Please keep going Alan. Took me ages to get any views. Joining Twitter would help as you can let people know you’ve posted on that. Free as well.
LikeLike
I agree Alan. I read your blog and enjoy it very much, but it takes me a while to get comfortable with making a reply. You add great comments to RM’s blog and have good information to write about. We all appreciate it, especially those of us from the states!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Borrowed off google. It was raining !
LikeLike
Thanks, but it isn’t one of mine! I’ve got one from a time when the signage was the same, that’s how I could give an approximate date.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No decent Pedigree in the heart of the Danelaw unfortunately Martin, but there may still be some undiscovered longboats lying buried beneath the cold sod North of the Humber!
Presumably the different types of Cob are used to pull different sorts of boats along the towpath? Big boat = big Cob, small boat = small Cob, etc?
Can’t wait to see what you put when you come across the craft beer style rebranding of Pedigree Martin?
LikeLike
I’ll wait till I see it on the bar before I judge it !
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Railway had a bird named Clyde in a cage in the front room until recently, when he managed to find his way out of an open window. A nice pub. The Nags Head and White Lion nearby are also recommended.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I liked those on visits when they were in the Beer Guide. Unfussy, chatty pubs.
LikeLike
Many thanks for all of your kind comments about my blog,
I would like to join twitter if it helped people find my blog, but know nothing about it or how to link it to my blog.
LikeLike
Alan, I would do what was recommended by Peter. Break up the posting and do pieces each day. That regularity makes it a place people go every day. Smaller regular tidbits make for an easier habit.
LikeLike
I understand what you are saying Dave,but my original thoughts was to give the reader an idea of how big the pub crawl was,which is the reason i have to sometimes list over 20 pubs and what they were like and what beer i had to drink.
Would it have the same effect if i broke it up into four lots of six pubs.
I also do not normally have that much time online as i am at work,ime off at the moment due to rib problems,so i have more time to be online.
LikeLike
Interesting point and yes I am impressed by the length of your pub crawls. I thought we did a lot in a day. You make us look like we make a half hearted attempt. I think it would have the same affect if you make it clear they are phases of the same crawl. Simon does this sometimes with multiple posts covering one day. On the time front I cannot believe how prolific a lot of posters are every day. It really is impressive.
LikeLike
I’ll get my son to post something ony blog or direct you Alan. I’m even less IT literate !
LikeLike
Thanks for that Martin,i have work mates saying it would help but i do not have a new phone,mine cost £9.99 from Argus and only sends texts and phone if really desperate,can i do it off my ancient lap top as i will never get a smart phone,far too complicated for me.
LikeLike
I think as long as you can Connect to the internet you can join Twitter but I’ll find out.
LikeLike
Love the fact you had a four cob selection!!! Great pub captured perfectly
LikeLiked by 1 person