Landlord’s three-hour Australia treat

Anthony Youel will travel 21,000 miles, including 45 hours in the air, on a £1,200 round trip via Abu Dhabi and Sydney to Barnsley, in New South Wales.

The married father-of-two, who is going on his birthday trip alone, decided on the birthday excursion after becoming fascinated to know more about the township, north of Sydney, which was established in 1829 and took its name from the former pit town and, appropriately, is near Newcastle.

He claims he can see all the town has to offer in three hours – as it is less than a mile square and has a population of less than 2,000.

He is taking with him a letter offering civic greetings from Barnsley’s Mayor Karen Dyson and a House of Lords tea-towel gift from Lord Mason of Barnsley, the town’s former Northern Ireland Secretary Roy Mason.

Mr Youel, who runs the Monkey pub in Thurgoland, said: “I know it sounds crazy and I might be barmy, but it’s the way I want to celebrate my 50th birthday, with a visit to Barnsley in Australia. I’m expecting to see it all in three hours so I guess it’s the ultimate day trip.

“The way my flights have worked out I will actually be flying home on my birthday.

“It might not be everyone’s ideal way to celebrate their 50th, up in the air on a flight back from Australia, but it’s different. I’m going to ask the crew and passengers to sing Happy Birthday to me.

“I’ve only had four weeks holiday in 25 years because I’ve worked for myself.

“I had a grocery shop and I’ve had the pub for 12 years. So I haven’t been able to find the time.

“Everyone thinks I’m crazy, but what the heck, you’re only 50 once and I want a birthday I will never forget.”