A couple have spent £15,000 creating their dream holiday home – converted from a double-decker BUS bought off eBay.
Despite millions of kids returning to school this week Andrew and Lisa-Jane Powis are already looking forward to their next break away in their own unique camper van.
They purchased the clapped-out Lleyland Atlanteen bus three years ago for £2,500 but have recently spent six weeks renovating the vehicle.
It now boasts a hot tub, wood burner, and three bedrooms after the pair splashed out over £15,000 converting it into a luxury holiday home.
Lisa, 41, says she and husband Andrew , 43, decided to create the Cliff Richard ‘Summer Holiday’-style bus – because they are too tall for caravans.
The pair can now enjoy breaks away with their two Great Danes and three children Charles, 13, Clara, seven, and George, four.
Lisa, from Ryton, Shrops., added: “We love being outside together, but it’ was just so hard to find a venue for us.
“A lot of cottages don’t take dogs and Andrew is 6ft 5ins so a caravan was out of the question.
“This seemed the best idea, you can’t think about the money with something like this, it’s not about that.
“We wanted a holiday home that we could go travelling around with a bit more space.
“It nearly killed us, and we had a bit of help from friends too, but we’re so glad now its finished and we’re delighted with the final product.”
The vehicle – which the couple have named “Betsy Blue” – can also be hired out by the public for £105 per person per night, with a minimum two night stay.
Inclusion Manager Lisa added: “We wanted to help other families who have found themselves in similar positions to us.
“The feedback has been amazing, because there’s loads of space, little things like the hot tub and the log burner make a big impression too.”
“We didn’t have any experience with this sort of thing, but as Andrew’s a farmer he’s pretty practical so we just kind of worked it out as went along.”
The couple purchased the bus before ripping out all of the seats and installing furnishings, which includes a cooker, oven hob and fridge.
There is a bathroom downstairs as well as a double and single bedroom with bunk beds on the top deck.
Andrew added: “I’d struggle alone in a caravan, let alone with three kids and two Great Danes charging about.
“A lot of holiday cottages are pretty dog-unfriendly too, and we always found it really tough to find somewhere that would have us.
“So we thought ‘Why not build out own super-size caravan?’
“Although we don’t have any experience with this sort of thing, we thought we’d give it a go and it’s really worked out.
“The kids absolutely love it. They hoped it was just for us, I think they’re a bit gutted that we keep renting it out.”
“It was quite hard work, but the toughest part was the paperwork.
“The problem is not many people tend to convert buses into homes.
“As soon as you mention ‘double-decker bus holiday home’ to the insurance man, his face drops.”
