Voiceover (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts... What about that!

VO: ..with £200 each, a classic car, and a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.

Can I buy everything here?

VO: The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

Feeling a little saw!

This is going to be an epic battle.

VO: There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

So will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?

The honeymoon is over.

I'm sorry!

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

VO: We're back on the road again with Charlie Ross, and Road Trip rookie and new driver, Natasha Raskin.

Oh wow.

CHARLIE (CR): Do you know, I feel really relaxed with you driving.

Do you genuinely?

Yeah I do!

Oh good, I am so glad to hear that.

VO: Auctioneer, Natasha Raskin, loves her antiques in all shapes and sizes.

Come on giddy up, they are the best things I've ever seen.

VO: And internationally respected auctioneer, Charlie Ross, knows when he's onto a good thing!

Oh!

You know how to excite an old man don't you?!

VO: Ha!

Both of our antiques addicts began their week with £200.

Despite neither of them making a profit at the last auction, Natasha begins their penultimate venture with £206.70.

But Charlie is still in front with £294.62.

The 1971 Triumph TR6 is the trusty motor for the duo's journey... which kicked off in Falmouth, Cornwall, then headed east, taking in a wonderful tour of Southern England and finishes up over 900 miles later in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex.

Today's stretch starts in Farnham in Surrey and teeters to an end in Towcester, Northamptonshire.

So what's on the shopping list?

What is near Towcester?

Ah... Silverstone!

OK, so something to do with... Something to do with a Formula 1 car.

OK, something to do with a Formula 1 car.

CR: Also at Towcester there is a racecourse.

As in... (CLICKS TONGUE) NATASHA (NR): Sort of a hunting, shooting, fishing set.

Very.

Yeah they'd love a bit of that.

VO: Yeah, good to know, but that's not enough of a challenge for Charlie.

Why don't you tell me something to buy and I'll buy it.

I don't know, you never buy anything really... 20th century.

So maybe 20th century items.

Modern.

Why don't you buy something relating to cooking today?

I've got to buy something 20th century and you've got to buy something relating to cooking.

OK, it's a deal.

VO: Sounds like a plan even it if it is a bit random.

Today, both Natasha and Charlie are heading for the same shop in the gorgeous Georgian town of Farnham.

You always think of Surrey as commuter belt and built up but it isn't, it's absolutely lovely.

NR: It is lovely.

VO: Lovely with a few foggy patches this morning.

Do hope they'll find their way to their first shop, Bourne Mill Antique Centre.

CR: Where are you going?

There is a car park!

Come on Charlie.

Save me Lord.

Snap to it.

You'll be... there is no use talking to the Lord now.

Come on.

I was a young man when I started out.

Come on, come on, come on, right, after you.

Thank you.

VO: He maybe older but he's got almost £90 more to splash in this place than his young rival.

NR: Come on young man.

Straighten that back.

Good morning ladies, good morning.

Which way are you going, Charlie?

I am going down here.

You are going down here.

Well, I'm going to head this way and I will meet you anon.

VO: And off she goes... And Natasha soon spots a cheeky little number in the corner.

NR: I am really drawn to this chair.

It is some sort of nice soft wood, it has got ivorine notches here and it has got a sort of rustic feel to it.

This is so simple here, the structure.

And the legs could be the most simple replica of the top but in fact they are really nicely turned.

Sort of balustrade.

I really like it.

But it is a lovely thing and it was 35.

It is now 20.

So does that mean that no one wants this and I should put it right down?

VO: Probably.

But where is the fun in that?

Best find dealer, Valerie Lock, to stake a claim, Natasha.

I have seen something upstairs that I am quite into.

It is actually fruit wood in nature and it is a lovely chair, do you know the one?

I am going to fire at you with £9 and don't be horrified, just go with the flow Val, go with the flow.

VALERIE: Ten, if I said ten...

I think I would definitely do it for 10.

Would you be OK with that?

Yes that will be alright.

Val that's amazing shall we shake on it?

VO: Not bad going Natasha, now where's that Mr Ross gone?

Full steam ahead Mr bosun, full steam ahead.

VO: Stop messing about!

Dealer Melisa Montagnon, is on hand to help Charlie today, and she's starting him off in a room away from his usual fare.

Oh my god, look at that!

That's outrageous.

MELISA: That poor pheasant.

Perfect.

Is it a bit of a statement?

MELISA: Oh I love it.

CR: Is it good?

No it looks good on you VO: No it really doesn't.

That is sensational.

That would be a talking point in any saleroom.

We can do it for a snip at £18.

The label says 20.

I know, that's a discount.

Cor, that is hard.

18 quid.

Yeah, it is good that.

I tell you what I'll give it a bit of thought.

OK. VO: Yeah, you do that Charlie.

Meanwhile, Natasha's keen eye is onto something.

NR: This is so great.

If this were silver, which it absolutely is not, it would be worth a packet because, for some reason, novelty Victorian lace-up shoe pin cushions drive people wild at auction.

Looking great though, it's a tenner and wonderfully... it matches my outfit just perfectly.

VO: Oh, she is a snappy dresser.

I think this is a wee bit of a goer.

If only there was a hallmark.

There isn't but it is nice.

And I'm going to ask about it because I think you can't go wrong with that.

VO: Well Natasha's lower priced items have done her proud at previous auctions.

NR: Something has caught my eye.

I will show you why.

VALERIE: Very similar.

Just my style, Val.

I was thinking, seeing as it is not silver, if I could maybe ask you to have it for a fiver?

A little bit low.

Six.

Six.

Shall we shake on six?

Yeah.

VO: So that's £6 for the silver plated 1930s pin cushion and £10 for the Edwardian fruit wood child's chair.

Thank you so much again for your help.

That is alright.

Wish me luck.

Yes, I will do.

Thank you.

VO: Upstairs, Charlie has re-entered his comfort zone.

CR: There is some nice bits of silver in here.

Oh, and there is a bit that... actually looks quite fun for me.

It is a silver propelling pencil but what it is in the form of, a golf tee!

And I play golf very badly but there we go, just needs a bit of lead in there.

It is quite modern, it is 1980s but it is a great thing for a golfing collector and it is hallmarked silver.

But it is priced at £45.

I think that's got a bit of a chance.

VO: And fortunately Mel's on standby.

I really like that.

It is beautifully made, it is quite modern, see what you can do.

OK.

I'm going to go and have a cup of tea.

VO: That's the bonus of an onsite teashop.

And after a quick call to the pencil's dealer, Mel has an offer for Charlie.

Give me the price.

£35!

You see.

I'll have it.

Great.

I am going to make you even more excited...

I'll have the hat.

Oh brilliant, it suits you.

VO: Making that a grand total of £53.

That's 18 for the hat and 35 for the silver propelling pencil.

Ticks the 20th century challenge box.

MELISA: Cheers.

CR: Cheers.

VO: While Charlie has been supping tea, Natasha has taken herself off to the charming village of Chawton in Hampshire.

She's heading for Chawton House - once home to Jane Austen's brother, Edward Knight.

Chawton was where Jane Austen spent the last eight years of her life.

It's where she revised her most famous books Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, and where she penned Mansfield Park and Emma.

Jane Austen is one of the most successful female writers in the world.

Fitting then, a former home of hers now houses a world-respected center for the study of early women's writing.

Natasha's meeting Dr Gillian Dow to get an insight into the female trailblazers who laid the groundwork for women's education, and influenced one of the most widely read writers in British history.

Hello, hi, you must be Gillian.

That's right, I am.

Hello.

I'm Natasha.

Welcome Natasha to Chawton House Library.

Thank you so much.

Should we go inside?

GILLIAN: Let's go inside and find out some more.

VO: Chawton House Library houses one of the world's largest collections of books by female authors.

They date as far back as the 17th century, a time when women were seen only as wives and mothers.

They were largely uneducated, unable to hold professional jobs and unable to vote.

But a pioneering woman from Newcastle, now considered one of the first British feminists, was passionate about changing that, becoming one of the most ground breaking writers of her generation.

So in the oak room, we are here to learn about the history of female writing but Gillian where on earth do you even start with that?

So, one of the most interesting writers and proto feminists, I think we can call her a feminist, is Mary Astell.

She wrote this little work here.

Little in size but as far as its content is concerned, it's fascinating.

Published in 1694, and it is really an appeal for the importance of female education.

'And one would be apt to think indeed, that parents should take all possible car of their children's education.

And though the son convey the name to posterity, yet certainly a great part of the honor of their families depends on their daughters.'

NR: Oh my goodness.

GILLIAN: So she is really talking about creating a college for women.

An early university.

Quite rightly, what an amazing woman.

To think of 17th century feminism is just wonderful.

VO: Astell's middle class family invested in her brother's intellectual development whereas Mary received no formal education.

But her ability to debate with both sexes and her strong belief in equality for women led her to the now famous phrase 'If all men are born free, why are all women born slaves?'

Her writing paved the way for women to expand their knowledge, encouraging their influence in the literary world.

Almost 100 years later another self-educated female writer, Frances Burney, became one of the most popular novelists of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

She was an older contemporary of Jane Austen, and had a great influence on our young Jane.

What was her influence in female writing?

GILLIAN: She published several novels.

Female centered, focusing on the heroine.

Camilla, the one we have got here is her third novel which she published by subscriptions.

Basically you told the public you were going to publish something and they would pay for it upfront.

And the person you have got here on the list of subscribers is a Miss J Austen of Steventon.

NR: That is absolutely amazing.

Yeah absolutely.

And in fact Burney's novels get mentioned in Austen's novels.

So in Northanger Abbey there is a whole section where Jane Austen defends the novels and she talks directly about Frances Burney.

That is absolutely amazing.

So Frances Burney was really going on about female-led characters.

Astell was going on about female-led education and is that something that links the two and perhaps links them to Jane Austen as well?

Absolutely.

I think education is the thing that links all these writers.

VO: Many female writers, like Jane Austen, followed these pioneering women, and, as with her contemporaries, Austen published her novels anonymously.

There was a stigma attached to having your name published, especially for the upper classes.

So this is a first edition?

It is, this is a first edition of Mansfield Park.

You see here it is advertised as by the author of Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice but absolutely no reference to her name - there never was in her own lifetime.

It is unbelievable.

I mean it wasn't entirely unusual to be published anonymously in the period and for women writers in particular to publish as 'by a lady' was actually very common.

VO: Jane Austen may have gone on to outshine most of her predecessors, but ground work laid by female authors like Mary Astell and Frances Burney gave girls like Jane the opportunity and encouragement to follow their passion for writing.

She probably didn't lead the most exciting life, did she?

And to think that here we are standing in a whole center dedicated to learning about female writing, how much have Jane Austen have loved that?

I think she would have loved it.

I think she would have been very proud.

Immensely proud.

Oh, what a fabulous visit this has been, thank you so much Gillian.

It is a great pleasure Natasha.

Oh thank you.

Thank you for coming to see us.

VO: Back in Surrey, Charlie has trundled a few miles from his last shop to Compton.

This rural village is synonymous with the arts, being home to British artist George Frederic Watts during his later years.

Victorian painter, Watts' best known works include a canvas named Hope, a favorite of US President Barak Obama.

Charlie's here to browse Old Barn Antiques, ran by sheep farmer and dealer Chloe Dancey.

It is Chloe, isn't it?

It is.

Mwah lovely to meet you.

Come on Chloe.

VO: They're certainly getting along swimmingly so far...

I'm just going to see if there is something that really grabs me... CHLOE: Jumps out at you.

Yeah because I need something to grab me.

I won't offer.

Are those... Well you can!

but then you're not for sale are you?

Quite.

VO: Oh, she's a feisty one!

Luckily Charlie's distracted by a cabinet full of treen.

CR: The fun about treen is small wooden objects is spotting the wood.

That's right and the different shapes.

And the different shapes and what they are used for.

And I love it when they have a really good patination to them.

There is something lurking behind there I quite like.

CHLOE: Yes, that is rather nice, isn't it?

Isn't that... Beautiful.

Now that is lovely.

Olive wood and I think that is 19th century.

I don't think there is any doubt about that.

It has got early 19th century.

I like that, I am going to put that on one side.

Right.

Now that's interesting.

That is a bit of yew wood, isn't it?

Now how old is that?

That to me looks a bit more modern to be honest.

finely turned yew wood cup and cover but it is a nice thing.

Put that on one side.

CHLOE: They look good together, don't they?

That is quite nice.

Yes.

Feel the weight of that.

Oh gosh, it is heavy, isn't it?

Yeah.

Yes, very heavy.

Walnut, lovely object.

No, that's interesting.

VO: He's on a roll here.

Ah, that is a different weight.

Feel that one.

That's a bit... oh yes.

That is just jolly heavy, isn't it?

Yeah.

What have we got that down?

19th century presumably, lignum vitae spice pot.

CHLOE: It makes a nice little group, doesn't it?

It is rather charming.

Now being a really mean chap, I'd want to buy that lot for 40 quid.

VO: The four items of treen have a combined ticket price of £79, so Charlie needs to call dealer Peter.

You are not going to take 40 quid for the lot, are you?

No.

What I am going to do, Peter, if I may, is take the three without the salt.

I think those three are delightful and that makes £35 and I will leave £35 here.

Thank you so much, bye bye.

I have done a deal.

Good.

No, it is fine.

35 for the three without the salt.

Right.

You will do well on the others as a little group.

Well you never know.

VO: Peter's knocked off £14, giving Charlie the olivewood dice shaker, the yew wood casket and the lignum vitae barrel for £35.

There is £35.

Thanks.

Thank you very much indeed.

Bye Chloe.

Lovely to see you.

Thank you.

VO: And that's shopping wrapped up for the day and lights out for the night - sweet dreams you two.

VO: But these early birds are soon up and at 'em in the TR6.

# I won't betray... # His trust.

# That's right.

# Though people say I must.

# I've got to stay true # Just as... # ..Long as he needs me.

# VO: Unlike Oliver, we won't be asking for more.

Yesterday Natasha found both an Edwardian child's chair and a silver-plated boot pin cushion, for £16, leaving her with £190.70.

Charlie splashed £88 on a 1920s feather hat, a silver propelling pencil and a collection of treen.

So today £206.62 is still burning a hole in his pocket.

The forecast today I thought was for rain.

It was for rain.

Here we are, sun again.

VO: How very nice for you.

From their launch in Farnham, Surrey, they've crossed the border into Hampshire and are edging towards Emsworth.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this leg, I have to say, thoroughly, thoroughly enjoying it.

CR: It is a very attractive county.

NR: I am so excited to come to this part of the world because the landscape is just dramatically different.

Scotland is beautifully hilly and green and mossy and rugged.

CR: Rugged!

Yes rugged, but this is just, it very much is green and pleasant land, isn't it?

It is.

VO: Emsworth Antiques Etc is Natasha's next pit stop.

And Hilary Bolt is the lady in charge.

Hello, hi there, I'm Natasha.

Oh, I'm Hilary, pleased to meet you.

Lovely to meet you.

I am very interested in the etc on your sign.

It covers a multitude of sins!

Absolutely!

VO: Don't sell yourself short Hilary.

Natasha's into all sorts.

There is a little pair of salt and pepper pots in here that are so cute.

They are actually really horrific when I think that is why I like them so much.

Now, I don't see a price on them but I absolutely love them.

They are just really awful and quirky.

Underneath you can see that they are Carltonware and Carltonware is something that was very popular at the middle of the end of the 20th century.

They look, oh I don't know, probably 1970s or 80s, something like that.

But they are for the kitchen.

VO: Perhaps a closer look will help decide.

Oh!

There is the price, oh no.

Oh no no no.

Why do they have to be £65?

What if I offer you £30 for them?

I was hoping for 35 on them.

35.

HILARY: Shall we go in the middle and do 32?

Shall we go for it?

And you are quite happy at 32?

Yup.

Let's do that.

Let's do it.

VO: That's £32 for the 1970s Carltonware cruet set.

No more kitchen ware eh?

Nice moustache.

Thank you so much, I'm ever so grateful.

Thank you.

Wish me luck with those.

I will keep my fingers firmly crossed.

Thank you so much, thank you.

VO: Meanwhile, Charlie has been working his way towards West Sussex, an area known for its striking scenery and historic city.

It's also home to a grass roots sport that's shot up over the last 40 years.

Charlie's heading to Billingshurst to the British World Championships of... ..Lawnmower Racing.

Ian Ratcliff, has been hooked on Britain's cheapest and most accessible motorsport for over 30 years.

Ah ha!

Must be the main man!

It is Ian, isn't it?

It is.

Hi Charlie.

Lovely to be here.

It is a momentous day, isn't it?

It is, this is our world championship today.

There is going to be a new world champion.

A new world champion today?

VO: The British Lawn Mower Racing Association, or BLMRA, or now has around 250 members.

The racing season is May to October, culminating in the highlight of the year with the World Championships.

So when did it all start?

Or where did it all start?

It started in 1973 in a pub in Wisborough Green.

There was a group of guys sitting there wondering what they could race, because basically racing is quite an expensive sport, and they wanted something cheap and cheerful that anyone and everyone could do.

And they came up with the idea of a lawnmower.

And people come from all over the country for this obviously, this premier event?

Yeah, this is very popular, we have got about 30 mowers here today.

VO: The sport has even attracted celebrities including racing legend Stirling Moss.

And today Charlie Ross is about to add his name to the list who've tried out this relatively new motorsport.

Bit tight that.

Agh!

Do I look the part?

You do.

What do I do?

It basically works like a motorbike.

So you have got clutch here, break there and the throttle is here.

VO: Easy peasy eh?

Now Charlie is about to face the race of his life.

Frankly, I'm terrified.

I've never been on anything so low, so quick, so dangerous in all my life.

VO: Well, it's too late now.

CR: Lewis Hamilton eat your heart out!

VO: Think the new boy's been given quite a head start by the look of it.

CR: Oh my goodness me, this is horrendous!

VO: The main rules are that they must have been originally designed, made and sold commercially to mow household lawns with the blades removed for safety.

CR: Bloody Nora!

VO: The BLMRA are keen to keep the sport open to everyone - with no sponsorship, no prize money and any profits given to good causes.

With clubs popping up across the country and even spreading worldwide, lawn mower racing is one of the most economical and entertaining ways to experience the adrenaline rush of motor racing.

Apparently.

CR: Arghh.

They're catching me up.

VO: I think they might be letting him win, you know.

CR: The checkered flag is Rosco's!

I felt like I was doing about 100mph, and I was doing about 10mph.

Thank you very much indeed.

It has been a pleasure.

I would like to say it has been a pleasure, actually it has, it's been a real treat.

VO: In the meanwhile, Natasha has joined Charlie in West Sussex, in the stunning city of Chichester.

From its Georgian center and Roman remains, to its 900 year old cathedral and Tudor market cross - the city oozes history.

Perhaps the perfect place for Natasha to hunt out a relic from yesteryear.

Her next and final shopping stop is Peter Hancock Antiques.

Stand by.

Hello.

PETER: Hello.

Hi there.

Mr Handcock I presume?

I am Peter Handcock.

Hi I'm Tasha, lovely to meet you.

VO: Peter's been in the business for over 50 years and this shop is rammed to the rafters.

This is an absolute Aladdin's cave of smalls.

I think I have to go small, but I don't know what.

It is just bonkers stuff.

VO: But with over £150 still to spend, Natasha's keen to find another lot or two.

Bonkers or not.

NR: I quite like this riding crop.

Pleated leather, and it is nice and long so it is for a good stallion this horse.

And it has got silver collar at the top here, and it has got the brand name Swaine Ltd of London, we have also got initials AR McDee so perhaps of Scottish heritage there and it's 1937 and it's got a nice antler handle and Charlie told me in the car that Towcester is quite hunting, shooting, fishing set and maybe for Towcester a riding crop is just what they need.

VO: It could very well be.

Swaine Adeney Brigg has been making equestrian and leather goods since the mid 18th century and they're still using traditional crafts and techniques.

Now Natasha must have her crack at the whip.

NR: So, you have got £45 on it.

PETER: I do.

And I don't reckon we would get that in the auction.

What would you say if I were to offer you £20?

Less than half price.

It is less than half price.

So what would you say?

Well it cost me £30.

What would be your very best price on it, Peter?

PETER: 32.

32.

I just bought something else in another shop for £32.

So maybe 32 is my new lucky number.

I think we should go for it, £32.

VO: Hurrah!

Now what else can Peter temp Natasha with?

She's got money to burn.

NR: Some cute little things in here.

I mean I am looking at these wee items here.

I think they are both really sweet.

PETER: Yes, they're nice.

And although one is for a man, one is for a woman, they have got more purpose than that, don't they?

Because this is specifically for nurses.

That hangs, the nurse's watch hangs on that... A little like that.

What is nice about this is that the little central here, the little cartouche in the middle is un-engraved.

But we have got hallmarks on the back, we have got Birmingham marks, hallmarks, we have got the maker mark on the other side.

And on the back of the nurse's watch bar pin here, we have also got, let's have a wee look, we've also got Birmingham marks and we've also got our makers and there is another wee one here in a box which is quite sweet, a little three leaf clover and very Celtic in its style.

What about if we were to offer in the region £25 for the three?

Very generous.

VO: It's not often you hear that from a dealer.

I would take 20.

I am really grateful, Peter.

£20.

VO: That's a bizarre bit of dealing, with Peter very generously giving Natasha the 1930s riding crop and the selection of silver items for £52.

Thank you Peter, thank you so much.

VO: Meanwhile, Charlie's made his way 20 miles north to Liss, near Petersfield.

This East Hampshire village dates back to medieval times and is an area of outstanding natural beauty.

With over £200 still to spend, he's hoping Terry McCarthy from Plestor Barn Antiques can help him keep his nose in front.

It's Terry, isn't it?

Hi Charlie, how are you doing?

We met before!

We certainly have.

You've still got your wonderful aeroplane.

VO: Now, Charlie what'll you plump for?

China?

Glass?

There's a real selection here.

What have you done here?

TERRY: Not guilty.

Terry!

Do you know, that's the remains of something as good a quality as you would ever get.

TERRY: I agree.

Rosewood satinwood, look at it.

Oh.

VO: The damaged Regency period occasional table has a ticket price of £30.

Is that a sort of firewood price or are you hoping to restore it?

Well, I'm not restoring it, no.

£15, Charlie.

Oh God, it is so tempting.

It is not a lot of money is it?

It's ridiculous.

TERRY: It is not a lot of money.

CR: It is ridiculous.

It makes me want to be a restorer.

I know.

VO: That's got him excited.

Got any more damaged furniture you could sell him, Terry?

What about a Victorian mahogany loo table?

It is tripod base, platform base with a really nice claw foot.

Lovely claw foot.

CR: There is a small amount of damage.

TERRY: Minor damage.

VO: It's rather tricky to see amongst the furniture, but a loo table isn't something you put in your downstairs WC.

It's actually a circular table for playing the card game loo on, get it?

CR: It can't be the same price as your absolutely exquisite occasional table, can it?

15 quid?

TERRY: How about £20 - can't say fairer than that, Charlie.

VO: Whether that's a reasonable enough offer for Charlie remains to be seen.

Now has he finally spotted something that isn't damaged?

CR: It is an Edwardian table on stand.

TERRY: Exactly.

I've just sold one... together with something else for 100 quid and it struggled there.

Is 50 quid a reasonable offer?

I can't do it, I would be losing money, seriously.

I did pay £100 for it in a very weak moment.

CR: Did you?

75 quid, cash.

Because I think it would make 100 quid at auction, less commission, 80 quid.

It is a fair shout but to be honest, unless I get my money back, to be honest... CR: 25 quid.

It's a takeaway isn't it?

It is quite useful as a display.

It's a takeaway.

VO: Terry's sticking to his guns, giving Charlie pause for thought.

I really don't know.

Am I trying to beat Natasha or am I trying to indulge myself in fine antiques?

If I am trying to beat Natasha it has got to be two knackered pieces of furniture because I think there is a bit of profit.

Back to the master.

I've had a good old thought.

Right, OK. And I have come to the conclusion I could put into auction the loo table with the occasional table.

They are different periods but they might appeal to the same restorer.

You offered me the cabinet for 100.

I offered 75.

As I see it, it comes up at 135 for the three items.

I would like to pay you 100 quid for the three and I think I will make something.

Can you make another £10 then I think we could have a deal?

It would be rude to turn it down, wouldn't it?

Brilliant.

VO: So that's £15 for the Victorian loo table, £15 for the Regency occasional table and £80 for the Edwardian cabinet.

TERRY: Thanks for the deal.

Thank you very much indeed, Terry.

VO: And that's shopping done and dusted.

So let's take a look at their collections.

Along with Charlie's furniture haul, he also gathered a 1920s feather hat, a silver propelling pencil and three items of treen - costing him a grand sum of £198.

VO: Natasha purchased an Edwardian child's chair, a silver plated pin cushion, a Carltonware cruet set, a 1930s riding crop and three pieces of silver, spending just £100.

So what do they make of their opponent's offerings?

She bought a chair for £10 - profit.

A pin cushion - profit.

Bathers - profit I think.

There will be a lot of people after that riding crop.

So profit, profit, profit, profit, profit.

Well done.

Out of all the things that he'd bought, I think I am most drawn to the silver propelling pencil golf tee as opposed to the sort of random bits of treen.

Charlie's pheasant hat is great, he's a genius.

He's a genius.

VO: But our experts won't be the ones splashing their cash at the imminent auction showdown.

After a quick foray in Farnham, Surrey, their trail took them through Hampshire and West Sussex, and is ending in a rather rainy Towcester, Northamptonshire.

I am glad you are here, actually, because if it weren't for you, I would probably be pronouncing this area Tow-cester.

Because... CR: Oh, Tow-cester.

NR: It is a nice part of the world we are in.

It is nice though.

Nice countryside.

Shame we don't have the weather today.

But such is life.

VO: On the way to their penultimate showdown, it could be Charlie's turn to get nervous.

Are you feeling confident?

Because you are slowly but surely catching me up, aren't you?

The gap is closing.

Creeping along.

VO: Today's auction house is fifth generation family-run auctioneers, J P Humbert, who've been in the business since 1842.

CR: Another sale, another thrashing.

VO: We'll soon find out.

You'd better be ready, Ross, this is it, I'm catching up.

You OK there?

You need a wee hand?

Actually, I wouldn't mind.

Come on gorgeous.

I'm still in my seatbelt!

I don't want to pull your arm out the socket.

Right, come on.

Money to make.

Money to lose.

Come on.

VO: The chap behind the rostrum today is Auctioneer Jonathan Humbert, who's taken a look at the pair's wares.

Natasha's delicate riding crop has sadly suffered some damage, but Jonathan still has high hopes.

The gentleman's hunting crop which is unfortunately damaged, I think this might surprise us yet.

The golf tee we like, it has got everything good about it, the Carltonware cruet set is actually a bit of retro genius, the pin cushion we like, I think this might do £50-60.

I think if something is going to struggle today it's going to be these tables.

VO: It may be hit and miss from Jonathan, but now it's over to Towcester's finest buyers- it that Humpty Dumpty?

First to go under the gavel is Charlie's 1920s pheasant hat.

Would you wear this hat?

Would I?

Are you mad, you've met me of course I would!

VO: She's as bad as he is I can start at a whole £10 and £15.

BOTH: Oh!

£15, the hammer is up then.

And £20 anywhere else, it's up to you.

No, don't bid.

£15 bid, 20 anywhere else, it is up to you.

£15 bid.

£15.

Sold and away then at £15 only.

Could be worse.

VO: Huh, a £3 loss isn't the best start, but he's right, it could have been worse.

Not too shabby for a mad feathered hat.

I think for a feathered hat, that was a result really.

VO: Next, it's Natasha's Edwardian child's chair.

Auctioneer Jonathan thinks this may struggle.

I can come straight in here at £10 only.

15 upstairs.

Oh, 15 upstairs.

Five?

Nod of the head, 25 far away.

30 anywhere else?

At 25 bid.

At £25, hammer's up.

Bang on middle estimate.

30 on my left.

Oh, new bidder.

At £30, takes you out.

£30 bid, five if you like?

A shake of the head.

It is amazing taste they have in Towcester, isn't it?

Sold and away then, hammer's up.

Done at £30.

Yeah!

That's a serious, serious result.

VO: It certainly is - Natasha's tripled her money.

Charlie, I'm coming to get you.

VO: Now, it's back to Charlie with his silver propelling pencil.

Straight in, lower estimate £20 we start with.

Not bad, come on chaps.

Five.

30.

Five sir?

35 online.

Come on, come on.

Yes!

40, I'm out.

Five online if you like.

45 far away sir, thank you.

At £45, you are in sir.

At £45, straight through... All done, selling under the mezzanine at £45.

Yeah!

Yours sir, well done.

VO: A profit, like auctioneer Jonathan thought, putting Charlie back on track.

That's better.

Charlie, that feels so good.

I'm coming to get you baby.

VO: But can Natasha's three-part silver collection help her close the gap a little further?

Who is going to start me, a tenner surely?

Ten bid.

At £10 bid, 15, 15 upstairs.

20 if you like.

£20 bid, five if you like... At £20 bid.

I'll take two.

Two bid.

Five.

At 22 upstairs.

All done at 22.

Oh that's OK.

It's OK.

It's not bad.

VO: Not bad at all actually, it's a profit, albeit a small one.

Now it's Charlie's three items of treen.

I've got £12 and £15 on commission.

I'll take 18, sir.

25 is next.

It's better.

At £20.

Five surely?

One more.

25 online... 25 online.

Hammer's up.

25 bid then, 30 anywhere else?

At 25 bid.

Hammer's up, at £25...

Thank you 392.

Well, somebody online recognizes good quality.

VO: Sadly not enough people though, giving Charlie a £10 loss.

Next up it's Natasha's Carltonware novelty bathers cruet set.

An interesting amount of pre sale talk about these items.

Oh, talk.

Resulting in a commission bid of not 10, not 20, not even 30.

Oh!

But £38.

Oh!

Commission starts...

I don't know why I'm cheering.

£38 bid I'll take 40 in another place.

40 online.

Oh!

40 online.

At £40, the book is out, you are online.

40, I am doing my sums.

Bid online, the internet takes it here.

Sold and away at £40.

Yay.

VO: That's a third profit for Natasha.

She's certainly got Charlie in her sights now.

Well done.

I was so worried about those.

VO: I knew those would swim away I really did.

VO: Next it's the damaged tables.

The auctioneer wasn't a fan and Charlie's hoping for a restorer in the room.

£20 anyone?

Tenner away.

It is up to you for a tenner.

Tenner away.

I give up.

What is happening?

Surely it is up to you, £10 bid online.

At 10, 10 and 10.

We are out of the traps and we are away.

15 bid.

15 upstairs.

I'll take your 15.

I'll take your 15.

20 online surely.

CR: Keep going!

JONATHAN: £20 online... £20 bid, five if you like, just one more.

At 25 upstairs.

Yes, that's my boy.

£30 surely?

At £25 bid, 30 comes again.

At £30 here online.

£30 bid, five, one more?

And why not?

35 we have got.

Yeah!

Where is this man?

At 35 bid, 40 against you online.

Oh!

I might have to buy him a cup of tea.

Goodness me and sold here online at £40, are we all done?

Sold and away at £40... Oh!

Yay!

APPLAUSE You're a genius, sir!

VO: He most certainly is, with £40 for a couple of broken tables, eh.

A little bird has told me that the auctioneer rather rates your next lot.

Oh really?

What is my next lot?

BOTH: Pin cushion.

VO: Natasha's seen silver versions going for a pretty penny at her auctions, but will her silver-plated option do just as well?

We have a cunningly low estimate, an accordingly a cunningly large pair of commission bids where I start the bidding at £80.

What?!

Oh sorry!

£80 here on commission.

£80 is where we start.

Is £80 where we finish?

At £80 bid, 90 if you like?

£80 at £80 at £80 bid, it's first and it's final, we are selling all the way, all done.

Sold here then at £80.

You need a hanky.

That is absolutely fanta... £80, what did it cost?

Six.

Six?!

VO: Incredible!

that's an amazing £74 profit - well done Natasha!

I think I squealed.

I am so sorry.

You did squeal.

VO: Charlie should be getting worried.

If his Edwardian cabinet bombs, Natasha could end up first past the post.

£20 surely?

£20 straight in, thank you, £20 bid, five anywhere?

I can't believe this.

At £20 bid, five online.

30?

Bid.

Five online.

35 bid.

40 if you like?

At £35.

40 if you like.

40 bid, five online again.

But that's half what I paid for it.

45 bid.

Sold online at 45.

I want to go home.

VO: Oh dear Charlie, no one likes a sore loser.

So we pretty much are going to be level pegging?

Not if the crop makes 300.

Oh, the chances of that are very slim.

VO: Now Natasha's 1930s riding crop.

Could it be the dark horse of the race?

Exciting.

(THEY SING WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE) 25 and £30 starts me.

£30.

Not bad.

Five.

40, I'm out.

Five.

At 45 straight through.

Look at that.

At £45.

Bid 50 in another place?

50, 50, 50... At £45, bid 50 online, yes or no?

It's 50 here.

60 sir?

No!

At £50 here.

60 if you like.

55 I'll take.

Yes.

He'll take it.

At 55, I'll take it.

Against you online at 60.

55, I'll split the bid.

At 55, straight through, you all done?

Hammer's up.

Are we all out online?

£55, fair warning.

At £55...

Yes!

Bravo.

VO: Inspiring Ms Raskin, bravo indeed.

Five profits for five.

What a fabulous finish.

I'll drive you away so you've got time to count your money.

Oh thank you, thanks ever so much.

VO: What a thrilling day.

Now the results are in.

Charlie began today's trip in the lead on £294.62.

With more losses than profits, along with auction costs, he's down £58.60, leaving him with £236.02.

Natasha was lagging behind with £206.70.

Some clever buying and a brilliant day has meant that after auction costs she made a well-deserved £86.14, taking her into pole position with £292.84.

Come on my dear.

Well... Look, it's dark.

You are such a gentleman.

You've been making so much money the auctioneer has taken so long it is dark.

Such service, such service.

In you get.

Oh, thank you so much, Charlie.

Thank you.

(HONKS HORN) Horn works!

VO: Be off with you then.

Next time on Antiques Road Trip...

I bought something that's weighty!

VO: Natasha gets her skates on.

I am just about to wow you.

VO: And Charlie gets a frock on.

Ooh.

Oh James, would you mind?

subtitling@stv.tv