
Christina Trevanion and Charlie Ross, Day 2
Season 9 Episode 2 | 43m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
Charlie Ross faces penguins. Christina Trevanion steps on top of the Forth Rail Bridge.
On the second leg of their road trip through Scotland, Charlie Ross comes face to face with the penguins of Edinburgh Zoo and Christina Trevanion dares to step onto the top of the iconic Forth Rail Bridge.
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Christina Trevanion and Charlie Ross, Day 2
Season 9 Episode 2 | 43m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
On the second leg of their road trip through Scotland, Charlie Ross comes face to face with the penguins of Edinburgh Zoo and Christina Trevanion dares to step onto the top of the iconic Forth Rail Bridge.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipVOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts with £200 each, a classic car... CHARLIE: (SCOTTISH ACCENT) We're going roond!
VO: ..and a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.
I want to spend lots of money.
VO: The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.
Oh, no!
VO: There'll be worthy winners...
Yes!
We've done it.
VO: ..and valiant losers.
You are kidding me on.
VO: So will it be the high road to glory, or the slow road to disaster?
What am I doing?
Got a deal.
VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip.
Yeah!
VO: It's the second leg of the road trip through Scotland for kilt-wearing Charlie Ross and fellow treasure hunter Christina Trevanion.
Have you washed this?
What, the kilt?
CHRISTINA: Yeah.
CHARLIE: No.
Don't need to wash the kilt.
I mean, you do but not...not every day.
Have you changed your pants?
I have changed my pants.
VO: Charlie ran his own auction house for over 25 years.
This gamekeeper turned poacher likes to sniff out bargains that will make a stinking profit.
I love it.
See.
VO: His competitive companion Christina, has youth, brains and charm on her side.
Are you a den of iniquities?
I am not.
VO: Oh, bad luck.
They're behind the wheel of a 1977 Volkswagen camper van named Geoffrey II.
I wonder what happened to Geoffrey I?
CHARLIE: Died.
CHRISTINA: Oh.
VO: The trippers are clocking up the miles.
Is this a private drive?
Yeah, a private drive.
# Private drive!
# (TOOTS HORN) # Private drive!
# I am not sure we're allowed up here.
VO: Christina made a loss at the first auction.
Did I make any money?
No, you lost a little bit.
VO: And road trip veteran, Charlie, showed her how it was done.
You are doubling your money on everything.
VO: Christina started the trip with £200, but she's now left with only £176.30.
Poor lamb.
Charlie started with the same amount, but he's made a tidy profit and has £296.36 in his pocket.
That's why he's looking so chuffed.
You buy stuff you don't particularly like... Yeah.
And you still make shed loads of money.
I buy stuff that I really like and it absolutely bombs.
BOTH: (LAUGH) Charlie and Christina started their 500-mile drive in Inverness.
Their journey will see them travel all the way south to Boston in Lincolnshire.
Today the duo will head towards their next auction in the beautiful border town of Galashiels.
First stop the seaside town of Aberdour, home to charming pubs, shops and reputedly one of the finest beaches in Scotland.
CHARLIE: You will come up with a lot of real goodies.
See you soon.
Mwah!
Two kisses.
Two kisses.
Oh, sorry.
Happy shopping.
Spend that money... Yeah.
And make a profit!
For a change.
VO: You said it.
Hopefully shop owner Jennifer will have something to catch Christina's eye.
(SHOP BELL RINGS) CHRISTINA: Nice to meet you.
JENNIFER: I'm Jennifer.
Oh, this is lovely, isn't it?
Is that a little Staffordshire rabbit?
What's he over there?
He looks rather sweet, doesn't he?
VO: To make a big profit from a little rabbit like that Christina will need to knock a few pounds off the ticket price of £38.
What can you do me on that?
30.
£30.
Oh, come on Jennifer, I need to make some money.
20... ..for a Staffordshire rabbit.
No.
(LAUGHS) Can we say 25?
25.
25.
Brilliant, 25.
There's one down.
I like him a lot, I think he's great fun.
VO: One deal done, any more?
You've got some Scottish pottery over here?
The blue jug and that are Bell's, I am 100% certain that's Bell's.
VO: Bell's Pottery was founded by two Glaswegian brothers in the early 19th century, but their business went from boom to bust in less than 100 years.
Bell's made their money trading to Southeast Asia, but struggled to compete against the dominant potteries in England and Holland.
And, when the Scottish market became flooded with cheap imports, Bell's sadly went into liquidation.
This would have been part of a much larger tea service originally wouldn't it?
So you would have had... With a slop bowl, a jug, 12 cups and saucers.
CHRISTINA: Your teapot?
JENNIFER: Yeah.
With some nice Scottish scenes on.
Yeah.
We've got a few loch scenes there.
What do we have on that?
We have 12.50.
It says "Sale £5"!
VO: Whoops!
That's come off something else I think.
CHRISTINA: Oh, has it?
JENNIFER: It doesn't matter.
What's my price on this?
Ten.
VO: I'd push for five.
Something to think about.
Meanwhile, Charlie is at it again.
# I like Scotland, bonnie, bonnie Scotland # Scotland is where I'll spend my life.
VO: Oh, Lordy.
Charlie's on his way to Inverkeithing in Fife.
In the 1880s it became a temporary home for some of the thousands of workers building the Forth Bridge just down the road.
I'm rather hopeful that in Inverkeithing there will be a shop bursting with quality goods, all waiting for my £296.
Ho, ho, ho!
VO: Charlie's first stop is the Bargain Centre.
"No dumping."
Promising.
# Ah.... # (NOTE ECHOES) VO: A simple "hello" would have sufficed.
Anyone in?
Yes.
Hello, I'm Charlie.
Hi, Charlie, I'm Gael.
Gael, what have you got to sell me?
I've come here to spend all my money.
I've got loads of cash.
Good, good.
VO: I hate a braggart.
Have you got something you could recommend, you'd go straight to and say, "Charlie, this is for you"?
Ooh, hang on, you don't need to answer that question.
Right.
I've seen something.
Is that a shell case?
VO: He's spotted a sturdy brass mounted case that once would have held ammunition.
Look at the quality of leather, I think that is a... CHARLIE: Yes.
GAEL: Yes.
Or a cartridge case I think.
Ah-ha.
That is absolutely wonderful quality.
You put your cartridges in there... Ah-ha.
And then they're held in place by the leather thong... GAEL: The strap.
CHARLIE: Yeah, the strap.
VO: If they're the original straps that's a real bonus as they're often missing, or rotted.
Cogswell & Harrison - a good name.
Even a name I've heard of.
VO: Cogswell & Harrison are London's oldest surviving gunmakers, known for their extraordinary range of high-quality sporting guns.
The company actually dates back to 1770.
What's interesting it's got Maclean Cameron Highlanders so the fact that it's got the regiment on there leads me to believe it's not one for shooting game, or whatever...
Yes.
..it's actually an army one.
Wouldn't you like that to tell you a story?
I know.
It does, doesn't... Oh, goodness me, where has that been?
VO: The cartridge case has a ticket price of £50.
I love it, I absolutely love it.
VO: Well, we'd never have guessed that old bean.
Ha!
I wonder if Christina's made a decision on that cup and saucer she loved.
Is there anything else I've missed?
VO: Seems not.
That's nice.
That is nice.
Oh, and nice lead crystal as well.
It's got some nice bubbly, bubblies in there.
Oh, nice ground out pontil mark.
That is nice.
VO: Lead used to be mixed with glass to add some sparkle.
These days safer zinc is used instead.
How much is on that one?
45, I think.
Could you do any more on that?
You could twist my arm to 37.
Oh!
Twist!
I'll twist away.
BOTH: (LAUGH) VO: Jennifer's proving no pushover.
Come on, Jennifer, help me out.
No, 35 is my bottom on that.
OK, right, and what do we think about the cup and saucer?
Ten.
Could we do 40 for the two?
No.
Oh, Jennifer.
Oh, Christina.
You're a hard woman.
OK, let's go glass and rabbit, glass and rabbit, glass and rabbit.
You like those as well?
Yes.
Let's go glass and rabbit.
Sorted.
But I do like that cup and saucer.
Are you sure you can't budge on that?
Are you absolutely sure?
A very special price for you, eight.
CHRISTINA: £8.
JENNIFER: £8.
And we're not haggling any more on it.
£8.
£35.
£25.
VO: That's a total of £68.
Would you do 65 for the lot?
Go on, Jennifer.
JENNIFER: Yes.
CHRISTINA: Yes!
VO: Jennifer, you said no more haggling!
Well done.
That's three lots bought in the first shop and a total of £30 off the ticket prices.
Back in Inverkeithing, Charlie still has an eye on the leather cartridge case, but is still yet to strike a deal.
VO: Is he drawn to anything else?
An old deed box... Cor... quality.
New Bond Street.
I think that's a solicitor's deed box.
I wish the deeds were still in there, we might end up earning a nice house.
You and I. VO: Now that would be a profit.
And that was Mr LBB Gubbins.
My mother used to call all rubbish gubbins.
Gubbins.
Put it in the gubbins.
Do you have that name up here?
Yes.
It has been heard.
It's an unfortunate name, I think.
If I was called Gubbins, I'd change my name by deed poll.
You wouldn't want to be called Mr Rubbish, would you?
I like that, but I'd like that... That would have to be very cheap.
VO: There's no ticket price.
Gael's open to offers.
Look out.
Is that an old adding machine?
Yes, a Comptometer, yeah.
A Comptometer.
VO: The Comptometer was the first commercially successful key driven mechanical calculator.
Where did you find that?
Now, that we've had for a while.
CHARLIE: Have you?
GAEL: Yes.
Oh, you're fed up with it!
BOTH: (LAUGH) I like that.
What date's that?
1920?
It's pretty old, isn't it?
Yeah.
It does have... Oh, it's got a date on it.
..a bit of detail on it.
1909 there.
Oh, yes, the patent 1904, 1912, 1913.
It's a good thing for a collector.
Very difficult thing to value.
VO: Well, you won't need a calculator to get that for a better price.
Gael's asking £50.
I have to say that's really interesting.
I'm passionate about that.
If that was dirt cheap, I'd buy it simply because it would make a few quid at auction and it's a nice tale.
What would you consider dirt cheap, Charlie?
I'm thinking more in terms of wanting to spend... ..sort of 50 quid on the three.
VO: £50 for the lot?!
Cheeky.
What if we said 60?
It's incredibly tight.
Erm...
I tell you what, I'd be... Split the difference?
£55.
CHARLIE: Deal?
GAEL: Deal.
Put it there.
No problem.
I'll dip into my sporran.
GAEL: Just you do that.
CHARLIE: See what I've got.
VO: Oh, yeah.
Charlie's charm has bagged him some brilliant buys.
Three items for just £55, that's even better than half price.
Gosh.
Back on the road, and a short journey to a local landmark.
When it was completed in 1890, the Forth Bridge was regarded as the Eighth Wonder Of The World.
Christina's in for a treat, she is going to take in the stunning view from the very top.
There you go, darling.
Thank you.
I'm going to drop you off there.
OK. Have a cracking time.
Mwah!
Don't fall off.
I will certainly try not to.
See you soon, have a lovely afternoon.
VO: The bridge is a milestone in civil engineering.
After 124 years, the Forth Rail Bridge is still the longest cantilever railway bridge ever to be constructed in the world.
A real testament to the men who built it.
Crossing the 1.5 mile wide estuary was a huge challenge.
Engineers Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker took on the ambitious task of designing Britain's first major steel construction.
When built, it transformed the Scottish economy by providing a continuous rail route from London to Aberdeen.
Here to give Christina the inside track, on its history, is Ian Hay.
Oh, it's quite speedy, isn't it?
BOTH: (CHUCKLE) VO: As principle construction manager he's in charge of the bridge.
I think this is the pinnacle of Victorian engineering.
It's pretty solid... Well, hopefully, it's pretty solid?
It's extremely solid.
This is the only bridge of any span that does not shut because of the weather.
VO: And up to 200 trains use the bridge every day.
CHRISTINA: Is that a train?
IAN: Yes, it is.
There we go.
And it's right there, isn't it?
Absolutely.
Ooh.
Six feet above your head.
VO: Fowler & Baker's design is only half the story, it took a multinational team seven years to build.
These men became known as briggers, a colloquialism for bridge workers.
With few safety measures in place and paid in part in beer, these men and boys risked life and limb working at dangerous heights over the icy water.
We're going quite high?
Oh, yes.
Wow!
So the top is how high?
367 feet.
VO: Christina's about to make history.
Fewer than 1,000 people have stood on the top since it was built over 100 years ago.
You lucky girl.
My legs are going a bit wobbly.
That's OK.
They're allowed to.
Don't let me go.
Look at this, it's amazing.
Isn't it?
It's a wonderful view.
VO: Construction of this Scottish icon came at a cost.
Tragically around 70 men died building the bridge.
One of the most dangerous jobs was underwater.
Divers had to build and then inspect the foundations using primitive kit.
Back in the 1880s, men dived with heavy lead boots, huge brass helmets and a pipe.
At the peak there were getting on for 5,000 people working on the bridge - all trades, all sorts of trades, everything from joiners, carpenters, steel men, riveters, rivet catchers.
Rivet catchers?
Rivet catchers.
What did a rivet catcher do?
They caught rivets.
VO: There are around 6.5 million rivets holding the bridge together.
Now that is a riveting fact.
The thing that holds the bridge together are the rivets.
Yeah, yeah.
So a rivet is basically heated in a furnace, flung up to a rivet catcher, quite commonly a young lad of maybe 12, 13, 14 years of age.
Right.
He'd catch it in a bucket and then basically the riveters would collect it from a bucket with tongs, place it through a hole and actually drive the rivet home to make it a full connection.
Cor!
So...
So they...
They had to stand on these flimsy bits of metal... 300 and something feet in the air catching things with buckets.
Fundamentally, yes, that's exactly what they did.
VO: The remarkable red bridge has become part of our vernacular.
People still say never-ending tasks will take as long as painting the Forth Rail Bridge.
Does it really take an age to get from one end to the other and then you have to start again?
There was a time that was the case when we painted on top of paint on top of paint... Mm.
But most recently, the work done on the bridge has pretty well dispelled that totally.
No?
I'm afraid so.
Really?
It's done?
It's done, it's painted from end to end, top to bottom.
Oh!
VO: And it won't need another lick of paint for 25 years.
While Christina's taking in the view, Charlie's leaving North Queensferry in Fife and heading to South Queensferry just nine miles north of Edinburgh via the Forth Road Bridge.
A glorious, great view from here to there.
Hello, Christina!
VO: South Queensferry is at the foot of the bridge.
There used to be a ferry service here, but that shut in 1964, the year the road bridge opened.
Charlie's meeting Jenni who's packed her shop to the rafters with all sorts of maritime antique flotsam and jetsam.
There's a nautical flavor here, isn't there?
Are you from a seafaring family?
No, I just like the sea, but I like to be this side of it.
You don't like to be on it?
No.
Not particularly.
This is a good...
This is as close as you like to get, is it?
A good viewpoint, yes.
Time to have a look round.
I'm going to ruin that.
Oh, no, it's got a catch on it.
Oh, my goodness gracious me, what... Is that a..?
Pufferfish.
Is that a real pufferfish?
It's a real pufferfish, yeah.
It's absolutely terrifying.
Mm.
Is it as sharp as it looks?
Yeah.
VO: Its eyesight isn't so sharp that's for sure.
What do you want for that?
£45.
I don't think that's a lot of money.
It's not a lot of money for a genuine pufferfish.
VO: A genuine pufferfish?!
Is the market swamped with fake ones?
May we take it down?
You certainly can, yes.
I mean, I wouldn't want you to puncture yourself.
No, no.
He seems to be not altogether complete.
He's missing an eye.
VO: He's winking at you Charlie.
He's wonderful.
Has he got a name?
Peter.
VO: Nice to meet you, Pete.
And they puff up when they..?
I think they puff up in anger...
In anger?
Yeah, and then I think they spike you.
I'm going to really struggle to find something I like more than Peter in this shop.
He's fantastic.
What could he be done for?
45, so I could... CHARLIE: Yeah.
JENNI: ..come down to 30.
I want him!
Thank you.
Mwah.
A pleasure.
Hello, Peter, you're mine!
Even if you have got one eye.
Do you know, I'm going to get into me sporran and pull out some cash.
Lord!
You never know what you might find in my sporran.
Oh!
Oh!
My money's flown out everywhere.
VO: Oh, yeah.
And that's the last purchase of the day and Charlie's rather puffed up with himself.
Ah... (SHOUTS) Christina... ..is that you?
Hello!
I don't think she can hear me.
I've bought a pufferfish!
VO: I do hope she gets off that bridge before nightfall.
Night-night you two.
CHARLIE: I don't think she can hear me.
VO: You're right.
It's day two of the road trip.
Yesterday, young Christina spent £65 on three items.
Where's the profit?
Where is the profit?
VO: A cup and saucer, a lead crystal glass and a Staffordshire rabbit, leaving her £111.30 today.
Old smiler, Charlie boy, spent £85 on the cartridge case, Comptometer, deed box and Peter the one-eyed pufferfish.
Despite the spending spree, he still has £211.36 in his sporran.
The pair are heading to the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh.
So how many things have you bought?
Give me a clue.
I have bought... What did I buy?
I've bought three things.
Did you manage to buy them well below the ticket price?
That's the key, isn't it?
See, I hate haggling.
Yeah.
I'm awful at it, which is why I never make any money.
Were you dealing with a man or a woman yesterday?
Er, two ladies.
Ah... Yeah.
They were wonderful.
You really need a man, don't you?
That you can wrap round your finger.
Well... CHARLIE: "Hello... CHRISTINA: It might help.
However... "..the name's Christina."
Flutter, flutter.
VO: The master's revealing his secrets to his prodigy, eh?
First stop of the day, Leith.
Regarded as Edinburgh's port and home to a shop that should be a winner for Charlie.
CHARLIE: Right, here we are.
Here we are.
This is where I am going to buy the best antiques in the world.
Oh, OK. God, there's some nice things here.
VO: Last year it won an award for antiques shop of the year.
Ah...
Everywhere you look, it's just wonderful things.
VO: Trouble is, wonderful things tend to cost.
CHARLIE: (GASPS) How can I go into a shop like this with £200.
It's almost an insult.
Just zoom in on that.
Do you think, is that £100?
Is that £1,000?
No, Rosco, it's £10,000.
A few more profits needed I think.
I'd love all these at home.
2,000, 3,000, 1,690.
That not the date of it, that's the price of it.
VO: Charlie is sure going to have to delve deep to find the bargains here.
Good Lord!
Is that real antler?
I'm wondering whether that is real antler or faux antler?
VO: Sounds like he's found something.
It's a rather unique artifact.
I've never seen anything quite like it before.
And you quite often see antlers made into chandeliers and hat stands, coat stands... VO: And this?
Glasses in there.
It's not for candles certainly.
But it's really rather splendid.
VO: But what is it then?
Hopefully owner John has an idea.
Tell me something, real antler?
Oh, definitely real antler.
Yes.
Yeah, yeah.
We've had a look at it... Yeah.
If you put candles in they're going to fall out.
Yeah, exactly.
And the aperture has a wee opening at the side, I assume it's to put the glass in...
Yes.
And lift the handle so it's probably for bringing out for a function.
VO: It's certainly a bit different.
It's a fair price as well.
Is it?
Yeah.
Well, you would say that, wouldn't you?
I mean, let's face it.
£75.
Is there a bit of flexibility for an old Englishman who's pretending to be a Scotsman just for the day?
I'll knock a fiver off.
Will you?
70 quid.
You're a generous man.
£65?
Oh, go on, John, give us a chance.
OK, £65.
Sold!
OK.
I think that's fantastic and I think there's a profit in there... CHARLIE: ..he said.
JOHN: Best of luck.
Yeah, you've changed your tune now you've sold it to me.
VO: Maybe £65 was a bit "deer".
Huh!
Charlie did rather well at the auction though.
The pressure's on for his younger rival to make some "doe".
My plan today.
What is my plan?
My plan... Do I have a plan?
I haven't really spent much of my budget, so the plan is... ..spend it.
Go out in a blaze of glory.
VO: She's getting the hang of this game.
(SNEEZES) VO: Bless you.
Thank you.
VO: Christina's motored her way through Edinburgh and not far from the famous castle is her next shop.
Owner Cedric has two passions in life - antiques and tea - and he sells both, hence he calls his shop "An-tea-ques".
VO: (CHUCKLES) We have about 85 different types of teas but I... Wow!
But I believe you also like antiques.
I do.
And I have plenty for you in the back.
Weren't tea houses a bit of a den of iniquity in the 19th century?
Well, it was, you know...
I mean, the thing is... Are you a den of iniquity, Cedric?
I am not.
VO: Pardonnez-moi!
Is our English rose flirting with the Frenchman?
Looks like she's taken Charlie's advice.
Have we got anything in the cabinets over here?
There's...
I've got quite nice little bits of silver.
I like your golfer stopper.
Oh, yes.
He's quite cool, isn't he?
He looks a bit modern.
Yes, it is.
Birmingham.
Oh, 2000.
That's the millennium hallmark on there so the year 2000.
Silver bottle stopper.
It comes with a decanter if that helps.
Oh, does it?
It comes with a decanter as well.
That's right.
VO: Decanter included or not, the silver isn't what I call antique.
Could be a risky buy unless she can get it for the right price.
£90... Hm.
I would want to be buying that really for 40 or £50 in order to make any money at all.
Mm-hm.. What's your thoughts?
Erm... Why don't we go half and make it 45?
45, would that be alright?
Well, for you.
Oh, Cedric, that's a deal.
Thank you very much.
VO: The charm's worked, half price.
I hope he gets me a hole in one.
VO: And not a hole in your profits, eh?
What's that called?
Is that called a birdie...
I couldn't tell you.
An eagle, a swan.
VO: Hang on, what's Cedric up to?
Has he had an idea?
Oh, that's brilliant!
Can I have that with it?
Yeah.
BOTH: (LAUGH) You're a genius.
I love it!
There we go, golfing interest.
I can't lose.
It's a winner.
Brilliant, Cedric, you're a gentleman.
Thank you.
Right, come on, let's have a cup of tea.
Yeah.
VO: Shopping done, time for refreshments.
Your scones madam.
Oh, wow!
Oh, they look amazing.
CHRISTINA: (GASPS) For you.
CHRISTINA: Oh, thank you.
CEDRIC: A pleasure.
With his shopping done, Charlie's keen to check out one of Scotland's top attractions and learn about its remarkable history.
In the early 20th century most people hadn't been abroad, there were no TVs, so to see wild and exotic beasts from faraway lands was jaw-dropping.
Victorian zoos had displayed animals locked in cages, but Edinburgh Zoo founder, Thomas Gillespie, had a radical idea.
To find out more, Charlie's meeting the zoo's Head Of Living Collections, Darren McGarry.
So when it was opened how did this zoo differ from other zoos?
Well, Thomas Gillespie had a vision that he wanted to have a zoo that was much more open, so no animals behind bars.
VO: When it opened in 1913 Gillespie's zoo was revolutionary.
Visitors could get up close and personal to the animals.
What sort of things were people able to do at the zoo that perhaps they can't do now?
People used to go and they would maybe get to feed animals.
Yeah.
And there was chimps tea parties where they would watch chimps drinking cups of tea and eating food off plates.
Or they might ride on an elephant.
Really?
Elephant rides, camel rides - these are all things that we don't find acceptable nowadays.
VO: Edinburgh Zoo has remained a top attraction for 101 years.
Now firmly focused on conservation and home to more than 1,200 animals, it was one of the first zoos in the world to house and breed penguins, so today Charlie's put on his own penguin suit to join them.
Quack.
VO: I don't think they quack.
More like a dog.
That's obviously not a penguin noise is it really?
Are you going to shake flippers?
Ooh!
May I say that was extremely badly behaved of you.
A little manners, please.
VO: The zoo's history with penguins and Norway goes back to 1913 when the family of Norwegian shipping merchant, Christian Salvesen, presented the zoo with its first ever King penguin.
One very special King penguin even has his own bronze statue donated by the people of Norway.
Nils Olav, that's his name, is the mascot and colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian King's Guard.
They were selected because King penguins are very graceful, very tall, very attractive.
Yeah.
And so when the Norwegian King's Guard come here to the zoo to visit him, he'll come out and he'll inspect the troops, to make sure that they're wearing the correct uniform and that they're all behaving themselves.
And he obviously has his medals as well, so that the soldiers can see that he's a very important penguin.
VO: And in 2008, after 36 years of continuous service, Nils was given a knighthood by the King of Norway and became Sir Nils Olav.
Ha!
So here he is.
Yeah.
This is Sir Nils Olav over here.
VO: Sir Nils isn't looking his best, but he is mid molt.
May I say, sir, it is a huge privilege to meet you?
I can see you're not quite as excited about meeting me as I am about meeting you.
VO: But the crowds don't just come here to see Sir Nils.
There's a very special penguin tradition at Edinburgh Zoo, one that started some 60 years ago.
You're quite lucky, because the keepers are here just now, because we're just about to see if they want to come out on their penguin parade.
Parade?
Yeah, we do a penguin parade every day, at 2.15.
How did that all start?
Erm, well, in the 1950s there was a zookeeper who left the gate open, and several penguins followed him out and started to walk around the zoo.
VO: Today Charlie's joining the parade.
They're wonderful, aren't they?
They go at a fair lick, you know.
They're fantastic.
I mean, if I walk like a penguin, it's a heck of a job to keep up.
Gosh, look at all the crowds!
I feel very privileged.
I get the impression they could do a marathon, I think.
VO: While Charlie makes himself at home with the penguins, Christina's hoping to p-p-pick up a final bargain.
She's paying the lovely Lewis of Courtyard Antiques a visit.
He's been trading from the same street for over 26 years.
His warehouse is packed with antiques and collectables.
From what I can see, we've got quite a lot of sort of boys' toys going on here, haven't we?
I'm afraid so.
VO: Oh, I'm feeling "horse".
When did Neddy arrived?
A couple of years ago.
I had all this First World War militaria, so we needed a horse to put it all on.
You need a warrior up there, don't you?
Yes.
Are you volunteering?
No!
Could do, yeah!
Why not?
I'll give you a bunk up.
CHRISTINA:(LAUGHS) Yeah.
I could be like Helen of Troy.
Yeah.
Arriving on a ho... Or maybe Lady Godiva.
VO: Lady Godiva.
Steady on.
No clothes.
Right, Lewis, we've got a job to do.
That's rather smart, isn't it?
VO: Christina's spotted rather an interesting box.
It has a typical Chinese temple landscape on the lid.
It's inlaid with colorful mother-of-pearl, which has been engraved.
I mean, I'd say it's 1930s.
Maybe slightly earlier, 1920s.
Got a little bit... A little bit missing on there, haven't we?
So it would've had another band around here.
VO: Ah.
Clever, pointing out the damage to the dealer.
Trying to get a few more pounds knocked off, are you?
Ticket price is £110, a lot more than the £66.30 she has left.
What can we do the box for, cuz that's quite nice, isn't it?
I have 110 on it.
CHRISTINA: (GASPS) OK. What do you think?
You're looking anxious.
Don't be anxious.
The very best, £40.
The very best.
CHRISTINA: Yeah?
LEWIS: Yeah OK. Well, I will have that off you for £40, as long as you're happy with that.
Yeah?
Do I not look... You don't look very ecstatic!
I'm all bubbling up inside.
VO: What a man, eh?
£70 off.
Could this be the lot to give Christina her first big profit?
We're nearing the end of the second leg of the journey.
Here's a rundown on what Charlie and Christina picked up on their travels.
Charlie started the trip by securing a cracking deal, bagging an Edwardian leather cartridge case, Mr Gubbins' old deed box, and an early 20th century Comptometer calculator - all for just £55.
He also purchased an antler glass holder and Peter the one-eyed pufferfish, fully inflated and preserved.
The five lots cost Charlie £150.
Look out.
Christina's purchases include a 19th century Staffordshire rabbit, a porcelain cup and saucer, featuring hand-painted views of The Highlands, a fine lead glass crystal rummer, a mother-of-pearl insert circular box and a silver bottle stopper and cut glass decanter, not forgetting the vintage golf club.
Gosh!
And all that cost her £150 too.
Hoo!
Oh, there are some cracking lots there.
They must be pleased.
I think I'm feeling quietly confident, because I've bought traditional antiques.
I've bought the best lot.
My cartridge case is, without doubt, far better than anything.
There's no doubt about that at all!
I like his cartridge case.
I think he's bought well there.
I think it's an interesting thing.
What's his antler thing?
It's wacky, isn't it?
I think...
I think a trip to the zoo is going to his head.
I think the thing that's going to really win it for me is Pierre - Peter the pufferfish.
You ain't got one of those and I have.
The pufferfish, I think, is possibly the most grotesque thing I've ever seen in my life.
I mean, that is the stuff of nightmares, isn't it?
VO: Well, auction glory is what dreams are made of.
It's time to turn those lots into profit, and head south, to Galashiels.
This is our last day in Scotland.
Aw!
Oh... We're going to be crossing the border.
Thank the Lord!
Does that mean the kilt comes off?
Don't you like my kilt?
Well, it's about time it had a wash. VO: The second biggest town in the Borders, Gala, as it's known to the locals, has a rich history in the textile industry, dating back to the 1500s.
The scene for today's auction is Hall's Auctioneers, who've been trading in the town for almost 20 years.
CHARLIE: Here we are.
Here we are.
Ah... Oh, look who's in the window!
Pierre!
CHRISTINA: Pierre!
The one-eyed sloth.
BOTH: (LAUGH) He's not a sloth, he's a pufferfish!
VO: Michael Hall is on the rostrum today.
He started in the antiques and collectables business in 1970.
He knows his onions.
But what does he think about our items?
I think the leather, brass bag and cartridge case is probably the most interesting, and we have had them in before, and they do do well.
And we also have a nice cup and saucer.
They have the painted reserves of Highland scenes.
But I don't think that's going to make too much.
I think it'll be about 10, maybe £15.
VO: Christina desperately needs profit, or she'll struggle on the next leg of the road trip.
Charlie's stretching ahead, but will his gamble of buying peculiar items end his run of good luck?
Let's find out.
First up, and getting us into the swing of things, Christina's golfing lot.
Here we go.
Good luck, darling.
What did it cost?
45?
Yeah.
Ten to start it.
£10.
Ten is bid.
At £10.
Any more?
At 10.
It's alright.
Everything starts low here, and he works it into a frenzy.
12, 13.
VO: Pound by pound, it's going up.
17, 18.
He's just milking it along.
Come on.
£20.
Any more?
At £20.
CHRISTINA: Oh, no!
At 21.
22, 23, 24, 25, 26.
26.
Are you bidding here?
Don't forget the one-iron.
28.
Here we go.
Look, it's really rocketing along!
£30.
At £30.
Any more?
At 30.
No more?
At 30 then.
VO: Ouch!
Not a great start.
That's not a hole in one.
It's not.
It isn't.
First up for Charlie, his antlers.
He's rebranded it as a "zoomorphic glass holder" in the auction catalog.
Here's hoping the posh name will entice big bidders!
At 10.
At 11.
12, 13, 14.
Can we go in more than ones, please?
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22.
It's a long way to go.
24.
VO: Patience, Charlie, every pound counts.
29, 30, 31.
This is half what I paid for it.
32.
Keep going, keep galloping.
33, 34, 35, 36.
Come on.
MICHAEL: 37.
CHARLIE: Keep going.
£37.
At 37.
Any more?
At 37.
All finished then.
37.
VO: Ah.
Not so horny.
And sadly, so Charlie's profits plummet.
That's a loss of £28.
If he had that priced at 100, I have to confess, I'd still have bought it.
Oh, really?
No, Charlie, where's your taste gone?
VO: The same way as his profits.
Now for Christina's lovely lead glass crystal rummer.
I'm going to start the bidding off at £21.
That's a very useful start.
23, 24, 25, 26.
26 on the rummer.
At 26.
Any more?
Go on!
Keep going, keep going, keep going, keep going.
At £26.
At £26.
It's a nice rummer.
At £26.
It is a nice rummer.
Go on.
Keep going, keep going.
Are we all finished?
26.
VO: Oh!
A disappointing loss of £4.
Next to go under the gavel is Mr Gubbins' old deed box.
Charlie got this for a steal.
If he can't make get me a profit on this, I'll give up.
It only cost a fiver.
£10.
£10 for the deed box.
Ten is bid.
And 11.
OK. See?
You got started.
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.
It's like using a sort of calculator.
MICHAEL: 19.
20.
CHARLIE: Come on.
£20 for the deed box.
Last time then.
It's going at 20.
Are you all finished?
No, keep going!
At £20 then.
VO: Huh!
A very healthy gain of £15.
He's tripled his outlay.
Excellent.
In a strange way, I'm disappointed.
Mm.
I mean, it wasn't dear, was it, for 20 quid?
I mean, I bought it...
It wasn't dear for five!
CHARLIE: (LAUGHS) Blimey!
VO: The pressure's on.
Can Christina make her first profit with a nice 19th century cup and saucer?
At £10.
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on.
At 11.
In the room.
At £11.
At £11.
Any more?
11.
It's ripping away, isn't it?!
12.
At 13.
The gentleman next to me's bidding.
£13.
At £13.
Any more?
At 13.
Just about wiped its face.
At £13.
All finished.
13.
Yay!
Well, I have to say, in the overall scheme of things, that's a whacking great profit for you.
Oh, yeah, well, it's a profit.
I'll take it.
That's about two quid expenses.
I think you've made £1 there.
Yay!
VO: After auction costs, she's made £1.37, actually, Charlie.
You need a calculator, mate.
Talking of which, the Comptometer is up next, bought for just £20.
I can start if off at £31.
See?
Finally!
Here we go.
31.
At 31.
Any more?
At 31.
No more?
At £31.
All done?
VO: Ah!
That added up to a nice profit of £11.
VO: Next under the hammer Charlie's leather cartridge case, bought for £30.
A lot of interest in it, and I can start it off at £160.
BOTH: (GASP) VO: A commission bid of £160 to start us off.
Crikey!
160, 170, 180, 190.
VO: This is better!
The fellow's going up in tens now, not ones.
230.
Hold my hand.
240.
240 against you.
250, 260, 260.
Any more at 260 for the cartridge case?
It cost 30 quid.
And it goes then at 260.
VO: Charlie's pulled it out of the old bag!
A £230 profit.
Well done!
It's more than... £230 profit!
That's unbelievable!
That is more than I could possibly have hoped for.
VO: Christina's on catch-up now.
Hopefully the box with mother-of-pearl inlay, bought for £40, will stir some interest.
Start me off at £50 for it.
VO: It's a good start.
CHRISTINA: He's looking for 50.
CHARLIE: He rates it.
At 50?
Ten to start it.
£10.
VO: Oh.
Ten is bid.
VO: Uh-oh.
Back to one pounds.
He's bidding like the absolute clappers.
20.
21.
£21 here.
Oh, he needs some opposition.
He needs somebody to make... 23, 24, 25, 26, 27.
Keep going, keep going, keep going, keep going.
Do you think it's going to make 300?
No!
32, 33, 34, 35, 36.
Oh, he's out.
Oh!
At 36 for the box.
Come on!
At £36, at 36.
No more?
Come on!
At 36.
All finished?
VO: Another loss.
What a blow for Christina.
Oh, Charlie, this is all getting very disastrous.
Don't cry, darling.
Don't cry.
VO: Now for Peter, the one-eyed puffer fish.
Is Charlie looking at another profit?
£5 for him?
MICHAEL: Five?
CHRISTINA: Come on.
Charlie... At £5.
Oh, five is bid!
It's bid.
At six.
Seven, eight, nine, ten.
Come on.
11. at 11 here.
At £11.
Any more?
11.
12.
Oh!
MICHAEL: 12.
13.
CHARLIE: Come on, Pierre.
MICHAEL: 14.
CHRISTINA: Really?
15.
(FRENCH ACCENT) He's a very nice pufferfish!
Pierre.
19.
VO: The pounds are coming in.
MICHAEL: 21.
CHARLIE: Here we go.
MICHAEL: 23.
CHARLIE: Now we're going.
I don't believe it.
Oh, I can see him making a thousand.
26.
£26.
Any more?
At 26.
Oh, he hasn't quite got there.
MICHAEL: £26 VO: Look out.
Oh!
New bidder.
VO: He's certainly puffing it up.
Come on, Pierre.
Show me a profit.
£31, standing.
At £31.
Any more?
At £31 all finished then.
After commission, it's a loss.
VO: I don't believe it!
Peter's made a pound profit, technically a loss after auction costs though.
It's the pair's last lot of the day.
Christina needs to make a big profit with her little Staffordshire bunny.
Could this be the lot that will turn her fortunes?
Start me off at £10 for it.
It's very small.
MICHAEL: £10 for the rabbit.
CHARLIE: £10 would be good.
CHARLIE: It'd be about... CHRISTINA: Oh!
Be about five quid an inch.
At £5 for the rabbit.
At £5.
At six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
Is there a glisten in your eye?
Yeah.
There are a lot of tears, not just a glisten.
It's an ocean.
There it goes.
It's romping along.
At £17.
Any more?
17.
At 18, new bidder.
CHRISTINA: Oh.
CHARLIE: New bidder.
£18.
19, 20, £20.
Any more?
At 20 for the rabbit.
At £20 for the china rabbit, at 20.
At £20, all finished, it goes at 20 then.
VO: Oh, Christina, a disappointing end.
Bad luck.
Put it there, partner.
Here's to England.
Your fortunes will change in England.
Come on.
VO: After paying auction costs, Ms Trevanion has made a loss of £47.50.
As a result, Christina has £128.80 to carry forward.
VO: Charlie, meanwhile, is storming ahead, making another profit of £160.78 after costs.
Mr Ross has claimed today's victory and has £457.14 to start the next leg.
Och!
Well, that was marvelous.
I've made so much money, I can afford a chauffeur.
Drive me away.
Oh, it's just too depressing for words!
Och!
Never mind.
VO: Goodbye to you two.
Now do get some well-earned rest.
VO: Next time on the Antiques Road Trip, Charlie's rolling in it.
I'm on a roll here and the problem is having so much money, cuz you just want to spend it, spend it, spend it.
VO: While Christina has to negotiate hard.
£40!
Don't be..!
Is that including the bird poo, or without?!
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