NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts.

What a job.

NARRATOR: With 200 pounds each.

You with me?

NARRATOR: A classic car.

Buckle up.

NARRATOR: And a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

Oh.

Sorry.

Ha ha.

NARRATOR: The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

So will it be the high road to glory?

Or a slow road to disaster?

Have a good trip.

NARRATOR: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

[MUSIC PLAYING] Yeah.

It's just over the midway point for our daring duo.

Experts Catherine Southern-- I'm your chauffeur.

NARRATOR: --and a specialist in scientific instruments, by the way.

And Raj Bisram, who runs a busy saleroom in Kent.

I can do the wipers.

You're just the co-pilot.

Wipers on, dear.

Do you like being told what to do?

NARRATOR: They're in deepest Derbyshire, home to the Bakewell tart and inspiration for Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice."

The two are not connected, I think.

There's a stone, isn't there, that comes from Derbyshire?

A very famous stone.

Oh, um, Blue John.

That's it, Blue John.

That's what I'm going to buy.

Oh, you see I've given you another heads up.

NARRATOR: It's the penultimate road trip for our MGB-ers.

So is it time to splash the cash or play it safe?

Let's see.

All I ask is that you're going to spend a bit of money today.

I am.

I am, definitely.

I'm going to have a lovely lunch.

But-- [LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: He is naughty.

And likes to hold onto his pennies.

I would like you, by the end of today, to say to me, Catherine, I've spent 200 pounds on one item.

Really?

Oh, that would make my day.

Yeah.

I bet it would.

I bet it would.

NARRATOR: From his original 200 pounds, Raj has increased his pot to a whopping 311 pounds and 80 pence.

But Catherine, who began with the same sum, now has 375 pounds and 8 pence.

As I'm surely about to go into the leave, I think I might buy you dinner.

Woah.

Woah.

Don't count your chickens, Raj.

NARRATOR: We're totting up the miles on this road trip, which started off in Cambridge, and carried on around East Anglia, before heading both North and West towards the Peak District.

The trip will continue through the West Midlands to finish up over 600 miles later in Bristol.

Today, we'll begin in the Amber Valley, in the town of Sandiacre, and end at auction in Middle Littleton, in Worcestershire.

And Catherine, good egg that she is, is dropping Raj off at his first shopping stop, Sandiacre Antiques.

Perfecto.

Perfect.

Wish me luck, my first item, 65 pounds profit.

Happy shopping.

Be thrifty.

NARRATOR: You don't need to tell him twice.

[MUSIC PLAYING] With just 60 pounds or so separating our experts, it's game on.

Raj, what's the plan?

I'm not going to take too many risks this time.

I'm just going to buy things that maybe can make me 10, 20 pounds.

That's what I'm looking for, but you never know you might find that one thing that can make you a lot of money.

These are really nice early tennis rackets.

This one's an actual Dunlop one and it's got its brace with it, which you don't often see.

The ones that you really want to collect are the ones that have got fishtail handles.

The handle looks like a fishtail.

They can be worth somewhere between 50 to 100 pounds.

NARRATOR: So it's out for the tennis rackets, but any pointers were Raj might serve up an ace.

Oh, wow.

That's helpful.

They're quite reasonably priced.

They're commemorative plates, but what's unusual about them is that they look as if they're porcelain, or fine China.

But, actually, they're made of tin.

NARRATOR: At least you won't break them, look out.

To be honest, they look better from a distance-- NARRATOR: Don't we all.

Then they do close up.

They're made by a Portland Ware.

This is Queen Elizabeth II and obviously Prince Philip there.

They're from the 1950s, they're in good condition, and hopefully they should make at auction 10 to 15 pounds.

NARRATOR: So cheap, Raj.

Are you sure that's not treason?

We'll leave Raj to ponder his tin plates and catch up with Catherine, who's taken our route eight miles North to Heanor, and Heanor Antique Center in the Amber Valley.

Hello.

Hi.

- Who might you be?

- Lovely to meet you.

Lovely to meet you.

You are?

- I'm Jane.

- Hello, Jane.

I'm Catherine NARRATOR: And I'm Tim.

Catherine has four floors of antiques to explore here, and around 200 dealer's stock to wade through.

Time to get a shifty on, aye?

Look at all that lot.

Look what I found.

Now, this is something that really floats my boat.

So this China was made for first class passengers, the diners, of the Olympic and the Titanic.

This one is not from the Titanic.

It's probably something that was made for diners of the Olympic.

A little butter pat and I think that's so lovely.

This turquoise and brown pattern is not particularly attractive in my mind, but it's something that if you see it, pounce on it because it's something that's always worth buying.

However, this little butter pat is 225 pounds so, today, it's not for me, but I love it.

NARRATOR: Well, that's one gone down the river, then.

But fear not.

Jane may have something Catherine could fancy.

What about this, Catherine?

Oh, that's pretty.

It's a Georgian pin brooch.

NARRATOR: Seed pearls are natural pearls measuring less than 2 millimeters in diameter.

Perfect for jewelry and chopping in half.

I think it's lovely, delightful.

Is it yours?

- Yes.

What sort of price are you asking for?

70.

NARRATOR: Was that a gulp, Catherine?

I can probably negotiate a bit on it.

Can you?

I like it a lot, but not anywhere near that.

50.

Should we put that to one side as a sort of possibility?

I do like it.

Let me just pop that in there.

Thank you very much.

I'll put it on the counter for you.

Lovely.

NARRATOR: Hm.

Still plenty to rootle through, though.

Oh, look out.

What's this.

What has caught my eye is this.

First of all, you might think a very boring pair of binoculars, and yes, they are.

They're French, they're towards the end of the 19th century, and the actual barrels themselves are not decorated.

They're a sort of ivory, creamy color, and quite frankly, boring.

But what is interesting is this delightful handle, but I've never seen one like that, that's painted with a cherub.

Really unusual.

It might actually not be associated with this pair of binoculars.

It's a really nice handle.

Don't like the binoculars, love the handle.

58 pounds.

Time to see Jane I found a pair of opera glasses with a handle.

I'll be honest with you, Jane.

I really don't like the opera glasses at all.

But I love the handle.

Yes, it's lovely.

OK this is marked up at 58, but I wondered if we could do a deal on the two.

I'll give you an offer, tell me what you think.

How does 40 pounds on the two sound?

NARRATOR: Sounds cheeky to me.

On the two?

Is that a bit too cheeky?

45 and you've got a deal.

Really?

Yes.

Jane, that's fantastic.

NARRATOR: Well, that was unexpected.

So that's 20 pounds for the plain opera glasses with the decorative handle, and 25 for the seed pearl brooch.

That is an excellent first shop.

Thank you.

Lovely to see you.

- Thanks very much.

- Thank you Bye, bye.

NARRATOR: Let's see if Raj has found anything other than tin plates back in Sandiacre.

Well, we're going to the countryside.

This is quite a nice looking walking stick.

NARRATOR: Ticket price, 14 pounds.

I'd be quite happy to walk around with this, and it's nice that it's got the horn handles on it.

It's even got a copper color there as well.

And to be honest, I'm going back to my old ways.

I'm going to offer a fiver.

Oh, Raj.

Catherine said to be thrifty not mean.

Is dealer Christina feeling generous?

Standby.

Those two commemorative plates, they're not normally my kind of thing, but what's so nice about them is because I know they're tin.

Yes.

Yeah?

And they're really well done to make look-- Very unusual, Yeah.

They look like porcelain plates.

If I could buy those for a fiver.

OK. - What do you think?

- Yeah.

- You're happy with that?

- Yes.

Happy with that.

- OK.

I think that the auction is in the country.

Lots of people go walking and I've seen a walking stick which is quite nice.

NARRATOR: Uh oh.

Guard your lines, girl.

Could you do the two items for 10 pounds?

OK. For you, yes.

You sure?

You're happy with that?

Yes, In that case, I am going to shake your hand.

OK.

Thank you very much.

I found something in the end.

Good.

NARRATOR: Raj has backed himself two tin plates and a walking stick for a tenner.

That's cheap.

Who knows what Catherine will have to say about that.

Taking a break from shopping, Catherine's made her way to the southeastern edge of the Peak District and the National Tramway museum in the village of Crich.

She's come to learn about the inspirational women who kept Britain moving during World War I, and how their contribution to the war effort led to the first ever strike for equal pay for women.

Oh, I think that's my tram.

Hello.

I'm Catherine.

I'm Laura.

I'm the curator here at the National Tramway museum.

Shall we go for a ride?

Love to.

NARRATOR: Trams like the Chesterfield would have been in use when the great war brought great change, especially for some women.

Tramways were very supportive of the war effort.

They released men to go fight.

They encouraged people to actually join up and enlist.

They were actually struggling to run the trams.

Therefore, you have this massive shift for the first time, women are actually on board the trams crewing them.

NARRATOR: Initially, the tramway managers were resistant to the idea of women working on trams, citing the physical work and even unruly passengers as too much for their female sensibilities.

However, the need for trams to keep moving outweighed any objections.

You know, you get loads of cases where actually you hear the women sort of saying they really enjoyed the work.

I bet they did though, because such a change from their normal work.

NARRATOR: Women proved that they were every bit as capable as the men they replaced.

one job was to switch to connect a pole at the end of the line to allow the tram to do a return trip and travel in the opposite direction.

What do I do.

So you want to grab hold the end of the rope, first of all, and take it out of the loop.

Right.

Oh, gosh, that's easier said than done.

If you want to pull it straight down off the line, and if you want to start walking around in quite a large circle.

How long would this normally take?

It varies from person to person.

I've got no circulation in my hands.

Right.

There we go.

Easy peasy.

NARRATOR: Working on the trams might be physically hard work, but in the early 1900s modesty was paramount.

Right, OK.

So this is something that they would wear?

It is.

It's a very typical replica of what a uniform would have been during the First World War.

So, obviously, for the men and the general managers, they had to have all these considerations about what would be appropriate at the time.

Right, OK.

Which is why you have the length of the skirt down to the ankle.

NARRATOR: Part of the uniform also coined their nickname the clippy girls.

So that's where the name comes from.

From the punch.

We just happened to have one up here as well for you.

So it's an original one, which would have been used on the Tramway.

It's heavy isn't it?

So this is from 1914?

Yes so it's definitely one of the touch type which would have been used during the war period.

So take the ticket and you just pop it in the slot like that.

Insert?

Yep.

And then just push down on the bottom part and it should ring.

Fantastic.

So I'm officially a clippy girl now.

You are indeed, yes.

NARRATOR: At the time, transport was the second biggest employer of women next to the Civil service.

And with the suffragette movement in the headlines, talk of women's equality was rapidly gaining ground.

So this is our Rothesay Tramways Company ledger.

So it records what they were actually paid during the war period.

So this-- Goodness.

Is the wage allocation sheet.

This is 1915.

A conductor just here, now, he's getting paid 18 shillings and 6 for that week's work.

And then you've got the conductresses, and she's actually being paid 13 shillings and 6.

- Gosh.

- Yeah.

So quite a bit less.

For doing exactly the same duties?

Yes.

And they were well aware of this?

The women.

Yes, very much so.

Which is where you get the strike action coming from.

NARRATOR: In August 1918, a group of women tram workers went on strike over demands for equal pay.

The strike spread across the country and is considered to be the first ever unionized industrial action by women in favor of equal pay.

And do you think it really shaped the way that women were paid in the future?

I think so, yes.

You do have examples where the women did actually have success and they were being paid equally.

But on the other hand, you did also have a few tramways who didn't.

So it's a bit of a mixed bag, but it's certainly, in the longer term, had a benefit for women and progress and forwards.

NARRATOR: After the war, the clippy girls had to make way for the return of the surviving men.

However, thanks to their contribution to the tramways, the advancement of equal female rights had begun.

Meanwhile, Raj is headed to Belper in the Amber Valley.

So far, he's barely made a dent in his 311 pound budget, spending just 10 pounds.

Maybe something pricey will catch his eye in Derwentshire Antiques.

Hello there.

Hello, how are you?

I'm Raj, Hello, Raj.

I'm Colin.

NARRATOR: Well, there's certainly plenty here.

That is a really quite nice, attractive stool.

Look that.

NARRATOR: Doesn't look very comfy.

Besides, there's no time for loafing.

You've got a bag of cash to spend.

Perhaps dealer Andy can encourage you to part with it.

What about these pieces?

In somebody's conservatory with a little bit of planty, ferny things in.

Isn't this something you pee in?

It is.

Hm.

Maybe something else?

A stone trough, that could be very cheap.

It's just a thought.

It is.

You know something, it might be a thought, if it was priced right.

We can talk turkey.

NARRATOR: Raj is fluent in that.

What could that be?

That-- Yeah?

--could be 18 pounds.

Today is my fiver day.

Oh, now, stop that.

When people say they've got to take their five a day, what I mean is, I mean, I've got to spend a fiver day.

But I'm getting close.

Now, what about, what about if I offered you 10 pounds for it?

Double my fiver day.

You sure?

Come on.

We have a deal.

NARRATOR: Just.

And you still have to carry it.

With that Stone trough in the bag, can Raj find something to help lighten the load?

I really like this ammonite.

OK. NARRATOR: That'll be a no, then.

I can only tell you that it came from a very serious collector, and he had quite a lot of fossils.

In fact, this cabinet was quite full at one time.

Got a rough age to it?

Very old.

Very old.

Is it possible that you maybe could phone him?

I just want an idea of how old it is.

- OK. - Lovely.

Thanks.

- OK. And while you're there, can you just ask him what the best price would be as well?

I could ask him that, yeah.

Cheers.

OK, thanks.

Fossils are a limited market but that, to me, is not just a fossil, it's a talking point.

It's a centerpiece.

I think as far as fossil collectors are concerned, this has got to be a standout piece.

NARRATOR: Look out.

Colin is back from the basement.

He bought it off a fossil Hunter-- Right, OK. --at an auction.

But he can't really tell you much more than that about it.

OK. No, that's fair enough, that's fair enough.

It's going to come down to the price, Colin.

Well, we got it on sale at 135 pounds.

Right.

What about then if I offered 70 pounds?

I would offer 70.

Probably do a bit better than 70.

80.

I'll go to 80.

Go to 90 and if he shouts at me I shall bellow to you from a distance.

Well, let's split the difference and go 85.

Put your hand there.

- OK. - Fantastic.

- Very good.

I better come down and sort out the money.

- OK. - OK. Let's go.

Follow me.

NARRATOR: Well, that's a great price if it's the real thing.

The stone trough and the ammonite concludes today's shopping.

And Raj has finally spent some cash.

After a successful day of antique hunting, our experts are back in the MGB and Catherine returns to her chauffeuring duties.

If I had one complaint-- Oh, here we go.

--is that when we stop, you don't really get round to open the door quick enough for me.

You can't get out quick enough.

Listen, you're lucky I'm driving you around everywhere.

NARRATOR: You both deserve a well-earned rest.

Nighty, night.

[MUSIC PLAYING] It's a soggy start for day two for our duo.

But nothing can dampen their spirits when it comes to scouring the countryside for antiques.

So I want to find something that I love.

Something that I'm really, really happy about.

Have you still got lots of money to spend?

I got a fair much.

Why?

Do you need some?

No, I've got loads.

NARRATOR: He certainly has.

Yesterday, Raj spent just a few pounds on the commemorative plates, the horn handled walking stick, the stone trough, and he splashed out on the ammonite fossil too.

He does still have 206 pounds and 8 pence left to play with.

Isn't this something you pee in?

NARRATOR: While Catherine bought just two lots-- the Georgian seed pearl brooch and the 19th century opera glasses.

Don't like the binoculars, love the handle.

NARRATOR: Leaving her with 330 pounds and that all important 8 pence.

So we are right in the middle of the Peak District.

Isn't it beautiful?

I think it's absolutely gorgeous.

I mean, I've never been here before.

Do you know one of the things I'm looking forward to today?

I really would love to have a Bakewell tart.

Oh you've got to haven't you.

Yes.

I mean, here we are.

Bakewell there's the sign.

There's the sign to Bakewell.

Let's go there.

NARRATOR: No time for that, antiques away, please.

We'll leave Raj to his Bakewell tarts, Catherine has some shopping to do.

She's Made her way to Chesterfield, home to St Mary and All Saints' and it's world famous crooked spa, which draws many to this Derbyshire town.

But for Catherine it's the stock of Chesterfield Antique Center.

There are 30 dealers over the three floors, it's cavernous.

[MUSIC PLAYING] This is something more for me.

This is up my street.

This is a really nice early 20th century monocular microscope.

It's in really nice condition.

NARRATOR: A microscope is right up Catherine's street.

This one is by A Franks, a late 19th century optician who had a keen interest in scientific instruments.

This is really nice because it's got all its little bits and pieces with it including this little specimen box here.

So what you do is you put your dead beetle, or your spider, or anything else you want to find in this little box here, and you slide it onto the stage here.

And what would be amazing is if I open this drawer down the bottom and it's full of slides.

Is empty.

That's a disappointment.

What I was hoping to find is a whole rack of specimen slides there because that's the real bee's knees.

NARRATOR: Crikey, we'd need a microscope to see bee's knees.

It's a lovely little microscope, though, and the fact you've got some accessories with it, and it's a lovely condition.

That's a good thing.

125 pounds, a little punchy.

If it was near a 60 to 70 pounds, I would be scooping this up all day long.

NARRATOR: That's one possible, but there's still plenty more to see.

Ooh, I like this.

MM, Marylin Monroe.

It could have been hers, although, I think it's probably more of a gentleman's case.

This is lovely what a good size.

It's in lovely condition.

Very nice.

Nice array of bottles there.

Don't think they're silver top, but how lovely to have it complete.

And then, you've got another section there for your briefs perhaps, I don't know.

But really nicely lined, all in lovely condition.

I think this is a possibility.

140 pounds, I think not.

That's a shame.

NARRATOR: Moving on then.

I did notice this earlier when I was browsing around.

Anything sort of connected with advertising, I mean, this is connected with cigar and cigarettes, so not great.

The fact that we've got a display case with an advertising name underneath, I think that could be interesting.

How much is on this?

20 pounds.

Well, it's got all its original lining.

The glass is all fine on top.

The name is nice and clear, not too much scratching there.

I think that should be bought for 20 pounds.

This is mine.

NARRATOR: That was a fine display of decision making.

Now, how about that earlier find?

I've got to come back to this microscope because I do like it.

It's one of the better things here.

Right, there are my items.

Where's Bob?

Bob.

NARRATOR: How could Bob resist?

I was rather interested in this little display cabinet because we've got the brand underneath, which is always quite nice from an advertising point of view.

It's got 20 pounds on it, can you negotiate on that?

15?

Yeah.

I'll happily take that at 15, yeah?

OK.

I'll shake on that one.

NARRATOR: That was easy.

So I've gone from something vintage to something that's a real antique, and I do like this.

The problem is with this, the handle, I'm looking at this now, is all taped up so it's obviously in bad condition.

And once upon a time, that would have been lined with a really nice set of specimen slides.

Do you think you could do 70?

Yeah.

OK, we'll do 70.

You happy with that Bob?

Put it there, Bob.

OK. All right.

NARRATOR: Well done, Catherine.

Some handsome purchases there.

Raj, meanwhile, has made his way to Pike Hall Farm near Matlock to hear the intriguing history of English cheese Stilton.

And to find out why it's not made in Stilton some 80 miles away.

He's got a date with the big cheese at the Hartington Creamery.

Hello there.

Hi, Raj.

Alan Salt, nice to meet you.

Lovely to meet you too.

NARRATOR: But before any cheese secrets are revealed, there's some hygiene to attend to.

So hairnet.

NARRATOR: Hairnet?

You've got to be joking.

So flattering isn't it?

Let's try and make it look a bit better.

This could be a new look for you.

Shoes off, and then you sit on, you swing over.

It's like a gymkhana.

You're in.

Are you ready?

You look all ship shape, ready to go.

Let's go and have a look at the cheese.

I'm with you.

NARRATOR: Stilton begins life as a curd, careful how you say that, which is poured into cylinders to form its familiar shape.

It's then turned daily for around a week before the binding process is started, which gives the cheese its distinctive crust.

This same method dates back hundreds of years.

So what we're doing, we're sealing the cheese up.

And that will dry out and form the Stilton crust.

All done by hand?

Yes.

How long does it actually take?

Myrtle and Dawn can do one every five minutes.

Are you going to have a go at this?

NARRATOR: Go on, Raj.

You know you want to.

And there you have it.

This is the fun bit, is you pick it up, like that, and drop it back down again.

NARRATOR: Easy stuff for you, Raj.

Put your hand like that.

Oh, like that.

Yeah.

That's it, now flick it over quick.

That's it.

Honestly, you're doing really well for a first attempt.

NARRATOR: The most popular theory of the origins of Stilton begins in the 1800s when the landlord of the Bell Inn on the Great North road at the village of Stilton decided to sell the unusual cheese.

As the Inn was on the route connecting the North and South, travelers from all over Britain would buy the cheese en route to take home, and at twice the price, this unusual blue veined delicacy was considered a rarified luxury and became known as the cheese from Stilton.

I mean Stilton is known the world over, hasn't it got some sort of royal approval?

They got George V in the 1920s royal appointment, and that was because someone who had a share in the factory's brother lived beside Sandringham Estate, and invited George over for a snack and they served up some Stilton.

He liked it so he actually sent him a cheese.

And he passed it back that they could have the Royal Warrant.

It still holds the Royal Warrant?

No, no.

That only lasts while the King is alive.

So, no.

That's a bit of history.

NARRATOR: An intriguing part of the cheese's history is that Stilton isn't made in Stilton, and never has been.

Stilton's been made in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire for at least a couple of hundred years, 300 years.

And being honest, during that time, as far as I know, no one's ever tried to make Stilton in Stilton before.

So the three counties that we've talked about, are they the only places in the world that you can actually make Stilton?

It's protected by some old trademarks from the 1920s.

NARRATOR: And as Raj has got stuck in to making the cheese, it only seems fair he gets to sample some.

I think I should try a little bit.

I think you should try a little bit.

I should try a little bit, yeah.

Just to make sure it's up to the par.

God, that is delicious.

Well, I've had an amazing time here, it's been fantastic.

I'm hoping I can take a little bit with me.

Well, we'll see what we can do about that.

NARRATOR: Meanwhile, Catherine's headed to Cromford, her last opportunity to shop for some goodies is at Heritage Antique Center.

She still has over 206 pounds to play with.

Hang on, what is she you up to?

I just picked something off a shelf, which is a little penknife, and I dropped it and it's gone under the cabinet.

We got it.

OK, this is what I was interested in.

It's by Joseph Feist, Solingen.

NARRATOR: Joseph Feist of Solingen, the German city of blades.

The reason I like it is it's little penknife.

And it's a sleeping lion and it is beautiful quality.

Look at that, look at the little curls on the lion, the mane.

It's really stunning.

It's just something about this, it speaks to me.

I'm going to see what Sally thinks.

It didn't take me long.

I found something, which I quite like.

This little penknife, I do like it but, of course, it's not silver.

I think it's just a base metal, but I think the decoration is delightful.

Can I make an offer on it?

Yeah.

Why not?

Would it be possible to get this for 20 pounds?

I'll do 25.

22?

25.

The way you looked at me, it had to be 25, I'm scared.

NARRATOR: Well, right.

That's Catherine's buying done for this trip, and Raj has arrived just before closing time, but he's headed for a neighboring shop the Cromford Mill.

He'd better get a move on.

Hello, there.

Hello, Raj.

Hello, David, is it?

Yes, pleased to meet you, Raj.

You too.

This is Linda, my wife.

Hello.

NARRATOR: Roll your sleeves up, Raj.

You've got antiques to find.

This is Clarice Cliff, it's quite a-- well, it's not a plain design, it has no design.

But Clarice cliff, as we all know, you know, she is extremely well known.

one of the most famous designers this country's ever had.

This is not one of those collectable patterns, I mean everybody collects the bizarre, the real colorful jugs.

I mean, they make hundreds of pounds, thousands now.

Seems quite reasonable at 55.

If I could get that sort of around 25 to 30 pounds, there's got to be a profit in it.

NARRATOR: Time to talk money.

David?

I do like the Clarice Cliff, I think it's a bit plain.

I'll be honest, I think it's a little bit plain because you know the Clarice Cliff everybody wants is the bizarre, you know, the patterns, the rare patterns, the nice colorful things.

There's not a color on that.

No but it's very stylish.

Is that the word you use for plain?

Yeah.

Just give me a clue as to what kind of money that could be.

Oh, that could be around, for you, 35?

How about that?

How does that sound?

That's cheap.

What about 25 pounds?

25 pounds.

What do you think, Linda?

Shall we go for that?

It's a deal, Raj.

We have a deal.

Thank you very much.

25 pounds.

You'll make a fortune.

NARRATOR: Well, that deal was all very jovial and it brings shopping for this road trip to a close.

Cheers, guys.

Thanks again.

Take care, bye.

NARRATOR: Time for our experts to regroup.

What did you ask for?

Oh, that looks like a Bakewell tart.

There you go, don't say I never get you anything.

Oh, that's very, very kind of you.

Thank you so much for that.

It's on a journey.

I got you something as well.

I got you a nice piece of Stilton.

That's fantastic.

I bet you'd rather have this than that.

Come on.

Let's go.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Off we go.

I'm guessing you're quite competitive.

So if you lose, which I don't think you will, but if you do lose, are you a sore loser?

Or are you just dust it all off?

I will-- Cry.

Cry.

And then probably not talk to you for a couple of years.

Win or lose, I have had absolutely great fun.

It has been good fun.

NARRATOR: Yeah it's been a busy old day, and time now, for some shut eye.

After kicking off their trip in the Amber Valley, our experts have arrived safely at Littleton auctions in the parish of middle Littleton in Worcestershire.

Let's hope we don't get any sauce from them.

Oh, time for a musical interlude.

Oh, dear.

What a welcome.

Raj bought five items for 130 pounds.

Catherine purchased five items shelling out 155 pounds.

Deals were struck and bargains sought, but what do our experts make of each other's purchases?

The word why springs to mind.

Raj, why did you buy these plates?

Big spend, again, I see.

Five pounds, well, you're really splashing the money out.

I have to say, good point on these.

The condition is fantastic.

And, and they make great Frisbee's.

Now, this is a nice little thing.

Well done, Catherine.

It's a little penknife, it's not silver, it's a white metal one.

It's in really good condition.

I just hope it doesn't cut into my profits.

NARRATOR: In charge of proceedings today is auctioneer, Martin Homer, and there's news on Raj's ammonite.

If it is an ammonite, people have come to look at it and don't think it is, but if it is right, it could be worth a lot of money.

Opera glass is one of my favorite pieces with the very nice painted handle, and signed by the artist, so I think they'll be quite popular.

NARRATOR: With bidders in the room and online, it's time to take a seat.

This is good.

Lovely atmosphere, lots of people.

Happy?

Yeah.

NARRATOR: First up is Catherine's sea pearl brooch.

20?

20 on bid, thank you.

We're in the room at 20.

Oh, dear at 25.

22 on the internet.

It's of thing that the internet would probably buy.

25 pound.

Room at 25.

At 20, 27.

27?

Profit-- everything that makes a profit is got to be good.

We're in the room at 30 pound and 2.

At 32 on the internet, are we done then?

35 is back in.

At 35 pounds.

37 if you want, then.

At 37 pound.

Nice start, aye?

What a lovely start.

NARRATOR: Not what you'd pinned your hopes on, Catherine, but you're still in the game.

That's a good start.

Well done, well done.

I really like you now.

NARRATOR: Well, it's early days.

Next up, the first of Raj's big spends.

His commemorative plates made of tin.

Good Frisbee's.

Good Frisbee's?

15 for them.

10 for them then.

10 pounds?

Help.

NARRATOR: Dear, oh dear.

Come on, guys.

10 pounds, I'm going to go then 5.

7 pounds, the bid's in the room at 7.

They were 10.

10 pounds.

And I'm selling at 10 pounds.

You've some money.

Oh, wow.

Be happy.

I am.

NARRATOR: More like relieved.

Raj's plates double their money.

You have made a profit.

I made a small profit.

NARRATOR: Next is Catherine's Henri Winterman's display case.

I just think this is going to go up in smoke.

I'm Sorry.

At 20 pounds I'm looking for 2 now.

22 in the room.

22?

It's gone bananas.

At 22 in the room.

At 22.

It's not gone bananas.

It's 22 pounds.

Oh, she's bidding.

25, new bidder.

At 25, 27 sir.

27, 30, at 30 pounds.

With gritted teeth there.

Are we all done ladies and gentlemen, 30 pounds?

All I can say is that it must come with a free box of cigars.

That's not too bad at all.

It wasn't a great thing, I'm happy at that.

NARRATOR: Will Raj's is walking stick appeal to the countryside buyer?

Here we go.

Come on.

Where's all those ramblers?

20 pounds for it.

Come on.

Go 15, then.

Yeah, 15 bid.

Thank you, sir.

We're in the room 15 pounds.

At 15, are we sure?

17, new bidder at 17.

You want 20 sir?

20 pounds.

I'm going to buy things for five pounds.

All it's got to do is make 220 and I'm back in the game.

20 with you, sir.

Are we all done fair warned then at 20 pounds.

There you go.

I'm happy.

NARRATOR: That's a cracking profit.

It doesn't take much does it, Raj?

NARRATOR: Next, Catherine's beloved penknife.

This knife is going to slice through my profits.

Oh, dear.

Where did you get these jokes from?

Dreadful.

Some people wouldn't call them jokes.

30, at 32, 35 with me.

37, 40, with me.

At 40 pounds.

Better in the room at 45.

Oh, no.

Higher.

I've got to go with what I've been left with, which is 47.

47, 50.

50 the net takes me out.

Better than I thought.

50, at 50 pound looking for 5.

55 I've got.

I'm 55, the net is winning.

At 55 pounds, any interest in the room?

At 55 pound on the net.

We all done then?

At 55 pounds.

Stabbed me in the heart that one has.

Oh, Raj.

That's so tragic.

NARRATOR: No tragedy there for Catherine.

That's a roaring success.

Well done, Catherine.

Well done indeed.

NARRATOR: Yeah.

Will great things grow in Raj's stone trough?

Surley 20 pounds for it.

Yeah, 20 come on.

Easy.

On the internet at 20.

Is there 2 anywhere?

Yeah, come on.

At 20 pounds on the net.

22 in the room, now.

That was room first.

Room at 20.

25 on the internet.

You out?

You sure?

At 25 pound.

All done then?

At 25.

25 pound.

- Well-- Money.

--it didn't make as much as we both thought.

NARRATOR: You still planted a profit, though.

Everything, everything is making a profit, OK?

That's not very good handshake is it?

No, I know.

It's a bit feeble.

NARRATOR: Next, it's a biggie, and one Catherine had high hopes for.

Fingers crossed.

Give me 30 to start me now.

Come on, surely ladies and gentlemen.

30 on bid, thank you.

That was room first.

It's going to be on the internet.

It's going to be on the internet.

At 30 pounds, 32, 35, on the net now.

At 35, 37 sir?

37 in the room.

Oh, this is hugely disappointing.

At 37 pounds.

Is it 40 anywhere?

At 37 only?

And I'm selling it 37.

NARRATOR: Good Lord.

That is just unbelievable.

That is 100, 100, pounds.

I would have bought that.

NARRATOR: Such a shame.

Such a lowly price for such a lovely thing.

Someone's got a bargain.

These things happen.

They happen.

You just got to shrug it off and move on.

NARRATOR: Good advice.

Time for tea.

Next, Raj's rather playing Clarice Cliff.

Surely 50 pounds.

Yeah.

Straight away.

At 55 on the internet.

55 in the room, now.

60 on the net.

65 room.

There you go.

Room is currently winning at 65 pound.

This is the last set you mean.

I'm 75.

The rumors got round, the rumors got round.

Are done then ladies and gentlemen?

At 75, 80 on the internet.

You want 5, sir?

85 pound, room at 85.

This is all helping, this is all helping.

85 in the room.

Are we all done at 85 pounds?

Going once, twice.

Sold at 85.

Ching, ching.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: Raj's cup runneth over.

Well done, Raj.

Smiley face, Smiley face.

NARRATOR: Last up for Catherine are her opera glasses.

Can they hit the right note?

Let's go 50 to start that one, ladies and gentlemen.

50 I've got on the internet.

We're away at 50.

Wow.

What a profit.

60.

We're at 60 pound on the net.

Any interest in the room?

Fantastic.

At 60 pound, the net has it at 60.

Are we all finished at 60 pounds?

I'll take that.

Great profit.

I'm happy with that.

You should be as well.

NARRATOR: Don't look to pleased, Raj.

It was purely the handle.

NARRATOR: Last but by no means least is Raj's ammonite.

50 pounds, looking for 50 pounds.

Do I have any?

I've got 50 on the internet.

On the internet.

Running at 50 pounds, 5 anywhere?

55 in the room now.

60 on the net.

65 room.

70, net.

75 room.

At 80 on the net.

You can cut the atmosphere with a knife.

85 in the room now, at 85 in the room.

90 on the net.

95 pounds.

At 100, the internet, 120 we're at now.

People-- people are thinking what I was, yes.

At 120 pounds, ladies and gentleman.

Got to be pleased with.

At 120 pounds, are we all done?

And I'm going to sell it at 120 pounds.

Oh, my heart was going.

Yours must have been racing.

NARRATOR: Turned out all right for the ammonite.

We could be even Stevens.

I'm not sure.

I don't think I've caught up that much.

I really don't know.

Should we go and do the maths?

Definitely, let's go.

NARRATOR: There are certainly ups and downs in Middle Littleton, but I've done the sums.

Catherine started with 375 pounds and 8 pence, she made a profit of 24 pounds at 58 P after auction costs, and she has 399 pounds and 66 pence to spend next time.

Raj started this leg with 311 pounds and 80 P, and made, after auction house fees, a profit of 83 pounds and 20 pence.

He finishes with 395 pounds exactly.

Despite winning today's auction, Raj still trails Katherine, but now by only four pounds.

Well, Catherine.

Yes.

I think I may have caught you up.

I think you might have done with your absolute rubbish that you bought.

Excuse me?

No, no, no.

It was interesting.

[MUSIC PLAYING]