An old Liverpool Council minibus used by social services has been given new life as a globetrotting motorhome.
Restoration of the Liverpool social services Iveco 49-10 - or Alice The Wonderbus as she's now known - has been a labour of love for Eddie Brown, 61, and his partner, Galina, for the past few years.
The couple - who are from Lichfield - bought the minibus from a seller in south Wales with the aim of transforming it into a world travelling "house on wheels".
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The bus originally had a tail lift for wheelchair access at the back and had been in service in Liverpool from 1997 to 2009.
It was then sold on to several different owners before ending up in the couple's possession after they spotted it on eBay.
Since leaving the UK in the 'wonderbus' in February last year, they have travelled through Europe visiting France, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal - where they spent the first lockdown - and are currently back in the Spain.
They're now planning on taking the modest motorhome on its most challenging trek yet with a 2000 kilometre trip to India in a bus with a top speed of 50mph.
Eddie told the ECHO: "There's no rush, it's just going to be one long, epic journey.
"The tough part is when we have to get up really long climbs. I have to get it into first gear and crawl up with my hazards on and watch everyone else fly past on bicycles.
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"But we never worry about speed. Galina has actually painted a snail on the back of the bus to show people we're slow, and on the other side it's got the tortoise and the hare.
"So people can amuse themselves when they're stuck behind us."
Despite its modest speed, Eddie and Galina have worked tirelessly to restore the old minibus with original parts and made her roadworthy again.
They have also transformed the inside of the bus with all the necessities for life on the road.
It now comes equipped with solar powered electricity, a toilet and shower, basic kitchen, comfy seating and sleeping areas as well as its own log burner.
Originally they also had plans to fit a tin bath but the idea was eventually scrapped.
When they first bought the minibus Eddie said it was in fairly poor condition.
He said: "When we bought it about four years ago it was in a bit of a state.
"She only had a driver's seat and four passenger seats halfway up the bus.
"The inside also smelled a bit. Originally they had put carpet inside and oh it was rank."
He added: "Bit I think we both fell in love with it when we saw it.
"We knew there were problems - she wouldn't start first time and it took a lot of getting used to drive.
"But she just had something about her - you know when you get a feeling inside and it feels right? That's what it was like."
Eddie said the reason they named the bus Alice The Wonderbus was because Alice In Wonderland is Galina's favourite book which she first read in Russian as a child.
The couple are now fundraising their costs to try and get Alice all the way to India.
If you would like to donate towards Eddie and Galina's adventures in Alice, click here.
They have also set up a Facebook and Instagram accounts where people can follow their adventures.
The long road to India will present the couple with big challenges, particularly keeping the bus fuelled and in good working order.
But for Eddie, who installed fridge freezers in supermarkets for 25 years, the journey is as important as the destination - something he thinks Alice embodies in spirit.
He said: "We try and give people a smile as well and inspire other people too. If you want to do something, do it!"
Adding: "I always said I would stop at 60 so I would still be young enough to do this, so I gave up the work and I'm not missing it.
"No regrets, life is too short. Been tougher than we thought at times but so glad we’re doing it."
