Problems using base_url

[eluser]skoots[/eluser]
Frustratingly enough it's the correct url:

Code:

http//localhost.test/

But it doesn't work with the stylesheet link or if I use it like this:

Code:

<a >&lt;?php base_url($nav['path'])?&gt;Link</a>

The above results in a link that directs to:

Code:

http://localhost.test/index.php/http//localhost.test/(..etc)

So it echos properly in the code, but the links don't work (particularly with the stylesheet)

Might be an Apache thing...