NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts, with 200 pounds each-- --I want something shiny-- NARRATOR: --A classic car, and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

I like a rummage.

I can't resist.

NARRATOR: The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

Why do I always do this to myself?

NARRATOR: There will be worthy winners and valiant losers.

Come on, stick them up.

NARRATOR: So will it be the high road to glory-- --On wards and upwards.

NARRATOR: Or the slow road to disaster?

CHRISTINA: Take me home.

NARRATOR: This is Antiques Road Trip.

[THEME MUSIC] Yeah.

With astonishing speed, we've reached the grand finale of our road tripping spectacular, with auctioneer, Christina Trevanion, and dealer, Mark Stacey.

Christina, I cannot believe-- -- (SINGING) And now-- -- (SINGING) The end is near NARRATOR: Oh, no.

(SINGING) And we must face-- (SINGING) Our final curtain.

NARRATOR: No more, please.

It's not over yet.

The antiquing adventures of Christina include a road trip first.

We just got a dragon.

NARRATOR: While her rival antiquer has been counting the pennies.

75 pounds I think that's a bit to dear.

NARRATOR: (SARCASTIC LAUGH) and we found some real treats.

Hey this is cool.

CHRISTINA: What's this?

It's rather nice, that.

NARRATOR: But when the gavel began to fall-- --Look at that smile.

NARRATOR: It left them just pennies apart.

Honestly, it's this much between us.

NARRATOR: With one of the closest road trips ever, buckle up.

They're both out to win.

From her original 200 pounds, Christina has 377 pounds and 10 pence securely stashed in her little old handbag.

Mark began with the same amount, but he's taken lead position by an absolute whisker.

Mark has 398 pounds and 36 pence.

Well I suppose the world's on oyster again, isn't it?

The world, my love, is your lobster.

NARRATOR: Well if you say so.

Christina and Mark tripping in West Sussex.

Jolly their way North as far as Liverpool, and have auctioned in Cheshire, Gloucestershire, and Manchester.

Their final destination is an auction in Bolton, and that's where they're headed on this final trip.

But they'll be kicking things off today in the Merseyside town of Wallasey.

CHRISTINA: We've got to get shopping, don't we?

I know, you've got to drop me off.

Yeah, I think there are shops around here somewhere-- - Is there-- - Look at the map.

A map?

Yeah, well how else are we going to find your shop?

I thought you did everything?

(LAUGHS).

That's what you've been telling.

Not all the time.

Oh, sorry.

What do I keep you around for?

For goodness sake's.

Oh, yeah, that's true actually.

Just drive.

NARRATOR: Like an old married couple, those two, aren't they?

Anyway, look, there's the first shop and Mark's initial stop of this trip, so standby.

Christina, thank you.

CHRISTINA: Enjoy, sweetheart.

I'll see you later.

MARK: See you later.

Have fun.

- Will do.

You too!

MARK: Bye.

CHRISTINA: Bye.

NARRATOR: Mark's sporting the catalog man look today, nice.

Hello, I'm Mark.

Hi, Mark, nice to see you.

Nice to see you too.

Now, tell me about-- NARRATOR: --Now, there's more to our host, Sean's Shop, than meets the eye.

So you've got basement?

But they're not open to the public.

But you're welcome to have a look if you want.

I like the sound of that.

Can I go rummage it?

Of course you can.

Lovely, I'll give you a shout.

NARRATOR: Oh, I say, fresh unsorted stock, Mark's dreams come true.

Well, I don't know where to start.

Well, you can't even get in more than a few feet.

It's all piled up everywhere.

NARRATOR: Hope you're not wearing your best linen.

Happy hunting.

I'm going to try and see if I can possibly get in there without breaking any of the quality store.

I might get in, but will I get out again?

NARRATOR: Well, who knows.

MARK: Oh.

NARRATOR: He's ever so agile.

Bear with me, I might take awhile.

NARRATOR: While mark journeys to the center of the Earth, let's catch up with Christina.

I've never, ever had a road trip where it has been so, so close going into the last auction.

NARRATOR: I agree.

Christina has traveled to Wavertree, just South of Liverpool, to begin her shopping expedition.

There's over 10 dealers sharing two floors here, and there should be plenty to look at for Christina.

What have we got here?

So we've got quite a few pictures, some nice furniture.

Oh, this is quite lovely.

Look at this.

OK, that's quite nice.

So we've got a three piece little tea service here, which looks, I mean, even just looking at it, suddenly you can see that it's very much in the Doulton style.

And, actually, looking at the bottom, we've got a really lovely Royal Doulton mark on here.

Now, Doulton actually started off, funny enough, making sewage pipes originally, believe it or not.

But if you can actually-- if you look at the bottom, you can see that it's quite a stoneware base there.

So that's really rather lovely.

NARRATOR: The whiplash curves and sinuous lines of the decoration are typically au nouveau, and all the more attractive because this pretty little tea service looks to be in mint condition.

What have we got over here?

60-- 65 pounds?

That's quite good.

NARRATOR: One potential, then, for Christina.

Now what about Mark, back in Wallasey.

Is he still in the basement?

Oh, now what's that?

Now these are quite fun.

I mean, I don't think they're very old, they're little-- I suppose they're modeled on carpet bowls.

Victorian carpet bowls are made out of pottery.

But these are slices of various marble.

I've just had this brainwave.

We've got a nice leather bowl here filled with some things already.

We're going to a very general sale, but it's online.

So why not make an interesting job lot?

Because out of the corner of my eye, I can't believe I'm even looking at this, there is this ghastly-- it's cast metal, painted.

I mean look at that.

That's going to be the look of horror on Christina's face when she sees what I'm buying.

That can go in.

Now what else have we got?

And what's all this?

Oh my gosh, look at this, we've got a whistler.

Well, it works.

That can go in.

An end of a pipe.

Well, it's a job lot, after all.

And then a little br-- brass peacock.

Well, that can go in.

NARRATOR: This is novel.

This is fun, isn't it?

NARRATOR: (SARCASTIC LAUGH) Well-- Oh, a gold a cigarette case.

I wish.

Texaco.

NARRATOR: Oh let me guess where that's going.

I don't think it is gold, but that can get in.

Oh a little lighter, made in Japan, 1950s.

That can go in.

Oh, just-- Oh, got it.

This is a little, sort of, trinket box or something with a printed 18th century-- oh, that's a key inside.

That can go in.

Actually, I think I better leave him some stock left.

Let's take this up.

If that can be cheap, it might be a winner.

NARRATOR: Laden down with his bountiful bowl of goodies, it's time to talk money.

Stand by, Shawn.

Oh, I know, they're dialing my number.

NARRATOR: They?

Are they another possible?

Sean.

Oh, hi, Mark.

Now, I found a bowl downstairs.

Oh.

And I thought, as I'm going to a general auction, I'd fill it up with things.

A few little bits and pieces.

It's quite heavy, I mean-- --They've been down there about three years.

Have they really?

Yes, haven't seen the light of day.

So you'll be glad to see the back of them?

Well, I will be.

How much do you want for that little job lot?

A couple of coins.

200 pounds?

Yeah, you're doing me a favor.

(LAUGHING) Well, I feel awful.

I'll tell you what, I'll give you a fiver, because I don't deal in coins.

OK.

But I did see, coming up the stairs as well-- Yeah?

A collection of old telephones.

There's 10 of them left.

There was 24, and I sold them one by one.

So I've done OK on them.

So how for the 10 be?

A tener.

Tener for ten phones?

- Yep.

- Well I'm going to shake-- --Deal of the day.

Absolutely, deal of the day.

You have to make money on that, man.

What if-- the numbers are right for me.

NARRATOR: What's just happened there, then?

One lot of leather bowl and its vast collection of curios for five pounds.

Oh, and Sean's added a few more for luck.

And the gaggle of telephones for 10 pounds.

Back to Christina now, and she still mooching about him Wavertree.

Oh I do love a cabinet of curiosities.

What have we got in here?

Is this open?

Oh, it's got a little silver box.

That's quite interesting, isn't it?

Let's have a look at this.

So very unusual scene on the cover of this.

It's-- we've got a little golfer here, obviously playing his round of golf and in full swing, literally in full swing.

Now, this would have been a tobacco box, originally, and probably would have been a pressure one.

So if you can't see an obvious way of opening them, sometimes you squeeze the size and the top pops up.

So tobacco or snuff.

Unfortunately, it has seen better days.

It's looking fairly dented around here.

Silver golfing snuff box circa 1912, 22 pounds 50.

Hmm.

I think that's quite unusual, and there is quite a collector's market for sporting and golfing wares.

NARRATOR: Right, despite the dinks, this solid, silver golfing joby is a goody.

Dealer, Mark, is on hand to help with negotiations.

This little golfing trophy.

Oh, yeah.

Golfing stuff, which I thought was quite sweet.

then there was this Dalton tea service.

So what could you do, potentially, for the two items, Mark?

We've got 60 pounds for the two?

60 pounds for the two.

Do you know, I'm not even going to haggle with you, darling.

60 pounds for the two, I'm a happy girl.

Good, I'm happy too.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Two really nice lots, I think.

NARRATOR: That they are.

45 pounds for the Royal Doulton tea service, and 15 pounds for the silver snuff box.

Meanwhile, Mark has journeyed to the town of Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula.

He's had a successful road trip so far.

Can he be consistent with his savvy choices?

Let's take a look in here.

I wonder if they've got a basement?

Right.

See, I love these little things.

Three years ago, anything from India or Persia was always considered inferior or second rate.

Because yes, the amount of the silver is less than you would find in sterling silver, but actually, the designs are all hand traced, and they often relate to ancient history or religious subjects.

And I think that little bowl is charming.

And I-- it's probably a little sugar bowl from a tea set or a coffee set.

But if you look at the scene going around, you've got this little man.

I think he's sort of playing something, there's a little deer running.

And there's obviously a sort of mogul emperor on horseback.

And even underneath, they've sort of decorated it, I mean, that's a very sweet little thing.

NARRATOR: And it's ticketed at 45 pounds.

Moving on.

What's this?

So this is quite charming when you look at it in detail.

I mean, it's obviously come out of a little sketchbook.

But somebody has framed it, actually, in quite a sympathetic frame.

What I particularly like about it, it's quite sentimental.

It's a little sketch of a young girl, late Victorian, Edwardian.

It has very much of a sort of Kate Greenaway style.

NARRATOR: Now, Kate Greenaway was a children's book Illustrator in the late 19th century, and her popular style was often imitated.

And it's very quickly done, but very nicely.

It's not signed or initialed anywhere, or dated, but it certainly dates to around 1900.

It's priced up at 29 pounds.

I think if that was nicely cataloged and illustrated, online you just might find a couple of private people who think, well I could live with that on my wall.

NARRATOR: Let's see what Bob can do on the ticket price.

Bob, I found this charming little pencil drawing.

Yes.

And I still like this bowl, for my sins.

Now, you said 45 on this.

Yes.

And this is 29.

So if my math is right, that's 74, is it?

That's right.

What is the very best price you can do for the two together?

For the two?

The best I could do from 74 would be 50.

50?

Yeah.

I'd be very happy with that, Bob.

Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: Appealing lots, Mark.

That's 30 for the Indian silver bowl, and 20 pounds for the Victorian sketch.

Splendid stuff.

In the meantime, Christina has traveled to the city of Liverpool.

Hidden deep beneath the city's streets, Christina's visiting what was once the most secretive location in the country.

Right here, the greatest of wartime intelligence took place and helped win the longest continuous battle of World War II, the fight to stop Britain from starving.

Blown in.

Hello, you must be Margaret.

I certainly am.

NARRATOR: The Western Approaches Museum Manager, Margaret Jones, knows the story Why was there a need for a control center in Liverpool?

The Battle of the Atlantic.

It was Churchill's biggest fear from the whole of World War II.

The MOD decided, for this particular battle, which was on these waters, it would be far more relevant to be somewhere up here.

And it was Churchill himself that wanted it to be Liverpool, because at the time, we were the next biggest port to London and the most important in the empire.

So it made sense.

Exactly.

NARRATOR: On the 7th of February, 1941, combined forces moved to this very building in an attempt to closely monitor the Luftwaffe and German Navy.

This department became known as Western Approaches Command.

We're looking for somewhere suitable, came across this building.

It's huge, covers the whole block, a 10-floor, very prestigious office block.

NARRATOR: Unknown to the workers above, the super-bunker in the basement had over 100 rooms, covering 50,000 square feet.

With extensive reinforced concrete protection, it had a seven foot thick roof and three foot deep walls.

Little wonder it was nicknamed The Fortress.

The people working in this basement, which happened to be 400 staff.

400 people-- 400, that was the amount of people that were here, 400.

So they had to make sure that if there was a direct hit-- --That they would have been safe.

So it was bomb proof, gas proof, everything proof.

So from here, from this bunker, they coordinated the Second World War, Western Approaches, basically.

Yeah, we do have the map room, the famous map room.

Can we go and see it?

- Certainly can.

- Oh, Margaret, let's go.

Show me.

As an island nation, the UK was dependent on imported goods to be able to survive and fight.

The Battle of the Atlantic was the struggle for the Allies to supply Britain while Germany was determined to destroy as many merchant ships as possible.

The map room was critical for tracking enemy movements, in particular, the deadly u-boats.

So this is the map room.

Oh, wow.

That's fantastic, isn't it?

Look at that.

So we've got the entire Atlantic in grid format there, haven't we?

MARGARET: Yeah, we have.

So what are these people here doing with these wonderful, sort of, pushing sticks, here?

MARGARET: There were messages coming in all the time, 24/7, sea and air.

And this is the plotting room, and those little wooden ships, when one was removed, were representative of the loss of over 1,000 men.

NARRATOR: Despite the efforts of the map room, the Merchant Navy incurred a higher proportion of casualties than any of the armed services during World War II.

Between 1940 and 1941, they lost almost half of their crews.

So basically, if we didn't have control over the Western side of the British Isles, we lost, potentially, food coming in, supplies coming in.

So it was really, really important for us.

Yeah, yeah.

If we'd have lost the Battle of the Atlantic, we wouldn't have won the war.

It's as simple as that.

NARRATOR: The Nazi battle cruiser, the Bismarck, was a huge threat in Atlantic waters.

Its guns could fire 1 ton shells, 24 miles.

She was responsible for sinking the pride of the Royal Navy fleet, HMS Hood.

But when Germany's flagship was finally sunk, it led to a turning point in the war.

The sinking of the Bismarck was planned from here as well.

- Was it?

- Yeah.

CHRISTINA: My goodness.

Yeah.

Because that was a really huge moral blow to the Germans, wasn't it?

It was their.

Sort of their, literally, their flagship, their icon of the war.

It was unsinkable.

CHRISTINA: Yeah, the unsinkable ship, of course.

MARGARET: But we sank it.

NARRATOR: For the Royal Navy, this victory was a triumph.

Although there were four more years to go, this was one of the most decisive fights of World War II.

After the war, when it was all over, this bunker was under the Official Secrets Act for 30 years.

The rest of the building carried on as an office block, but where we are now was cordoned off.

CHRISTINA: Goodness me.

So nobody was allowed down here?

No, no.

Well, Margaret, it's been absolutely fascinating, it really has.

And to see all this is really very atmospheric, isn't it?

It's wonderful, really wonderful to see.

So thank you so much.

I feel very, very privileged.

NARRATOR: One of the most strategic battlegrounds during World War II, this tactical nerve center ensured Britain didn't starve.

The supplies shipped across the Atlantic helped defeat Nazi Germany, and occupied Europe was free once more.

What a wonderful day.

But the evening is upon us, and our pair really must get some rest, so nighty night.

Oh dear, a bit cold and miserable this morning.

What's the mood in the spider?

You look like the cat that's got the cream, and because we're in Cheshire, you're the Cheshire cat that got the cream.

Well, I'm quite pleased with what I bought.

Do you know that, you at that face at the moment, could be the dictionary definition for smug.

NARRATOR: It's not over yet, dear Christina.

Our charming young lady has two lots so far, the Royal Dalton tea service and the golfing silver snuff box.

Christina has 317 pounds and 10 pence for her final attempt to out-buy Mark.

Sitting pretty, Mark has a total of four lots.

The leather bowl filled with curios, the 10 retro telephones, the Indian silver bowl, and the Victorian pencil sketch.

He has a total of 333 pounds and 36 Pence to spend as he wishes.

They're so close because [INAUDIBLE]..

I know, that's what's worrying me.

There's a whisper that's been us.

A very, very small whisker, but come on, let's get shopping.

NARRATOR: Yeah, it's anybody's game.

Christina is headed for the Hamlet of Milton Greene in Cheshire.

MARK: Oh, this looks lovely, Christina.

Antiques and Craft Center, happy days.

See you later.

Good luck.

CHRISTINA: Have fun, sweetheart.

MARK: Bye.

CHRISTINA: Bye!

Oh!

Oh.

NARRATOR: There are over 30 dealers selling their wares in here.

After a spin around inside, dealer, Dave, suggests a look outside.

So you're outside area, you've got some gardening types and you've got bird tables and ladders.

DAVE: Yes.

CHRISTINA: Oh, that's fun, isn't it?

DAVE: Yes-- So that sort of caught my eye when I walked in.

Yeah?

Is it-- does it like a little dog cart or something?

DAVE: A rabbit hutch.

It's quite nice, isn't it?

CHRISTINA: A rabbit hutch?

DAVE: A rabbit hutch.

NARRATOR: Unusual.

CHRISTINA: That's quite fun!

OK, it's definitely-- it's definitely had a rabbit in it, hasn't it?

It has had a rabbit in it, yes.

NARRATOR: Said like a farmer's wife.

And who would have thought that a rabbit would want to live in a traditional barrel-top caravan?

Yeah, [INAUDIBLE].

I think that's quite cool.

But it has been living outside, so it's not in the best of condition, is it Dave?

DAVE: No, no.

So what could your best price be on it?

DAVE: Well another dealer's got 65 on it.

But I know the deal well, so I think maybe 35.

I'd be happier closer to 30.

You'd be happier closer to 30.

What do you think?

Oh, we'll do it.

CHRISTINA: Yeah?

DAVE: We'll do it.

I'm happy.

Brilliant, thank you very much, Dave.

I don't quite know why I've just bought it, but I have, and it's a bit of fun.

It is a bit of fun.

NARRATOR: Well, this is a first.

A caravan for a bunny for 30 pounds.

If you know of any bunnies looking for a new home, send them to Christina.

Moving on, though, the richly historic city of Chester is next on Mark's list to visit.

Our very own Prince Charming has come to the gardens of Chester Cathedral to learn about the sport of kings.

Mark is meeting Falconer, Tommy McNally.

This is a Harris hawk, his name is Rio, and he's a four-year-old male Harris Hawk.

MARK: Now you're not got him chained there at all, so he's looking around, he's-- he can fly off at any time.

Yeah, yeah.

Oh, and there he goes.

We put our hands up and the bird will fly off, and we leave it totally to his own devices.

MARK: And he goes straight for the tree.

He will, because he's a hawk, you see.

The Hawks are all Woodland birds of prey.

If he was a Falcon, he would have headed off to the sky.

Circling around?

Yeah and he would have gone up to a fantastic height.

MARK: And how do you now attract him back?

Right, well what we do is we have a small piece of meat, and this is what we call a bechin.

A bechin?

So we put that on the hand, and we always bring the hawk into the back of the hand.

And obviously keeping our arms nice and still for the hawk to provide him with a safe landing.

And, you know, almost silent though.

DAVE: Very, very quiet.

MARK: Such grace, I mean, the speed as well.

DAVE: They've actually been known as the phantom of the forest.

Really?

And there he goes again.

Would you like a try, Mark?

MARK: I'd love a go.

So I just hold my hand out-- Just put a-- yep, and we just put a piece of meat on here.

Oh, gosh!

You are very keen.

NARRATOR: Rio's got his eye on you, Mark.

Oh, look at that beak.

Falconry dates back as far as 1700 BC and is thought to have originated in the Far East.

It's the art of training a wild bird of prey to hunt for food for the table.

In the early days, falconry was confined to the world of aristocrats.

The larger and more majestic the bird, the bigger the status symbol.

Servants would capture and then train an eagle for an emperor.

A Gyrfalcon for a king, with the lowly servant limited to owning a mere Kestrel.

One of the first books on falconry, The Art of Hunting with Birds, was written in the 13th century by a Holy Roman emperor.

Frederick II is probably the most noted famous falconer in the history of falconry, because of this book that took him 30 years to write.

Wow.

And it was a manual of falconry.

With all the do's and don't's and the protections and the-- --Yeah, but it was also the very first example of a book being wrote about the anatomy of birds.

MARK: Oh, really?

NARRATOR: Oh, blimey.

DAVE: OK, Mark this is your reward for being such a great help here today.

Oh my gosh, really?

We've decided to let you old the Golden Eagle.

I get a chance to hold Grace?

DAVE: Yeah, you certainly do.

So I lift my armor?

Just lift your arm out here, Mark, and all I'm simply going to do is place the Golden Eagle out on there, on the end of your arm.

Oh, wow.

And are you ready to feel the weight?

Yes.

OK, I'm about to let go now.

Oh, my gosh.

She's a heavy bird.

I think it's only when you hold a Golden Eagle do you appreciate what big birds they are.

I'll tell you what, with that attack-- [INTERPOSING VOICES] Oh, incredible weight.

You'd know that, wouldn't you?

You really would.

She's fabulous, and, again, so patient.

Oh she is.

She's a fantastic bird.

MARK: She's such a patient bird.

Hello.

DAVE: She's talking to you.

Hello, there, how are you?

(LAUGHING) NARRATOR: Uh, I don't think Grace quite likes the look of you, Mark.

Well, Tommy, thank you so much.

And thank you, Grace, I've had the most wonderful experience, Tommy, thank you.

NARRATOR: Well done, Mark.

Meanwhile, the village of Gwersyllt, in Wrexham, is next on Christina's list.

Acorn Antiques and Collectibles is rammed to the rafters with all things antique.

Oh, Hello.

DENNIS: Hello.

Hello there, Christina.

Dennis.

Hi.

Hello, Christina, nice to see you.

- How are you, well?

- I'm very well.

NARRATOR: Christina's got 287 pounds and 10 pence to spend in here.

Now, what's this she's uncovered?

This is quite fun, isn't it?

Look at this.

So this is-- well, obviously not the iron chicken.

Everyone needs an iron chicken in their lives, but maybe not today.

So we've got an old milk churn here that's been painted, and it's what we called bargeware.

NARRATOR: Bargeware is the brightly colored folk art on items, like this milk churn, that were once on barges.

With the current trend for upcycling, this could be a one.

What else can you find?

Oh, there's another bargeware churn.

Are they breeding, multiplying?

With another chicken on the top.

Do you think they come with the chickens?

Do you think that was sort of the regal pair?

This one looks actually in slightly better condition.

Oh, there's a bit of a dent there, but, HM, OK. How much is this one?

Is this the same price?

78 pounds, OK, that's worth remembering.

That little silver plated-- NARRATOR: --Dennis is on hand to help Christina rummage in the cabinets.

Silver plated pan and shovel.

Wait, there's a piece of-- DENNIS: --That's special-- --Novelty sil-- special?

Yeah, very.

Yeah, what price is on that?

[LAUGHTER] You get your sticky paws off this!

I mean, I think it's a novelty salt, isn't it?

Yeah, that's right.

So it would be-- it looks to me like it's that sort of wonderful, Edwardian era, early 20th century.

I think so.

And they just made some really quirky, unusual things.

But I like that.

It has got, Dennis the Menace-- Oh, 12-- that's a giveaway.

That's got to be wrong.

I think the decimal point is in the wrong place.

It's got to be.

Go on-- You are very good at this, you're very persuasive.

You've got to make a decision quick, because-- Is this-- seriously, is this-- if I don't buy it, you will?

Yes, absolutely.

CHRISTINA: Oh, man, OK, let's go to the desk.

NARRATOR: Come on, you giggling girties, it looks like the little silver plated novelty salt has got Christina's name on it.

And dealer, Holly, has something unusual to show.

So what have you got, Holly?

What is that?

That looks to me like if you had a shot of greengrocers or something you'd pull the canopy down with something like that, or.

It's a good guess, it's a good guess.

- Is it the right guess?

- No, [INTERPOSING VOICES] [LAUGHTER] What is it?

It's a railway man's shunting stick.

A railwaymen shunt-- what's a shunting, I didn't even-- --So before we had electric carriages, we'd shunt the train carriages together and then hook them up.

So this gentleman had it presented to him for his retirement.

Really?

Yep, that was his present.

So normally you'd get a gold watch, he got a shunting stick.

Of which I'm sure his wife was [INAUDIBLE].. [LAUGHTER] So have you got a stand here?

I do.

Where's your stand?

Right this way.

This way?

Oh, have I been in it?

- Possibly.

- Dennis-- --I think you have.

Dennis, if that's not there when I get back, I will be frisking you.

[LAUGHTER] I'll see you in a sec.

NARRATOR: As luck would have it Holly owns the milk churn that Christina so liked the look of.

And the old bird?

You know, you can either have them as planters, they can be garden ornaments, but that's Cadbury's.

So Cadbury's brothers, it's just written around the edge on-- --This one?

HOLLY: Yep, if you have a look you can see it etched.

Oh, So that's why it's more expensive than the one in the first room.

And twice as heavy, Is it?

Very.

What's with the chickens?

Farmhouse effect.

We live in-- we live in farmhouse country.

OK, they're lovely.

Cadbury Brothers Limited, Yeah.

Gosh, so that would have been a milk churn that they would have used to deliver milk to the factory.

NARRATOR: What's your best price, Holly?

OK, so-- --How about 55-- --Oh-- --And I will give you a chicken for your rabbit hutch.

[LAUGHING] How is that?

Because I think it's lonely and I think it needs a pet.

Are you serious?

Yeah, absolutely.

55 and a chicken.

55 and a chicken.

I mean, how could I say no?

It's a deal.

55-- --Thank you very much-- --And a chicken, thanks.

NARRATOR: That's 54 pounds for the Cadbury's milk churn and 1 pound for the chicken.

Ha, Christina is definitely channeling surreal today.

Better cough up, girl.

I owe you 55 pounds, Holly.

And then, could we say 10 for that?

Oh, go on, 10 pounds.

10, you're an angel.

Right, in which case, I owe you guys 65 pounds, don't I?

NARRATOR: Meanwhile, Mark's hot on Christina's trail and is headed also to Gwersyllt.

He's found his compadre having a well-earned cuppa.

Anyway, I must go shopping.

Go on, skedaddle, I'll wait for you.

Enjoy.

Thank you.

There's nothing left, I've had it all.

MARK: Heard that before.

Bye!

NARRATOR: Mark's rolling in it.

He's got 333 pounds and 36 pence to spend.

No wonder he's smiling.

Hello HOLLY: Hello.

I'm Mark.

Nice to meet you, I'm Holly.

- And I'm Dennis.

- Dennis-- [INTERPOSING VOICES] It's great, so it's an antiques [INAUDIBLE],, is it?

That's right.

How many dealers have you got?

46 now.

NARRATOR: That's a lot of dealers.

--many things to say.

NARRATOR: Hello, what's this?

I mean, this is quite nice.

DENNIS: They're lovely.

They're MARK: Known as-- Just come in this morning, they have, actually.

They're known as death pennies, aren't they?

DENNIS: That's right.

MARK: Rather sad, really, when you think about it-- DENNIS: --Absolutely.

The First World War, everyone who died got one of these along with the medals of the war.

DENNIS: That's right.

MARK: And it's named as well, Thomas McGee.

DENNIS: Thomas McGee.

And these have just come in, you say?

That's right, this morning.

MARK: That's interesting, isn't it?

The Somme.

DENNIS: The Somme.

MARK: Wow.

DENNIS: Trench art.

They came in the same family?

Yes, they did.

So if I say, somebody was out of the Somme.

It's quite interesting you've got this little plaque.

DENNIS: That's-- yes, indeed.

MARK: And then somebody is embossed this on there.

DENNIS: Look at that, amazing-- MARK: --By hand.

DENNIS: Yeah, that's right.

So, those for sale?

Yes.

How much are they?

60 pounds for the two.

55?

55.

Are you happy with 55?

No, but I'll accept 55.

Are you sure?

Yes.

Well I'll shake your hand for 55.

NARRATOR: Well that was a joyful experience.

Our shopping trip is now at an end.

Along with the World War I death penny and trench art jug, Mark has a total of five lots.

The leather bowl filled with curios, the 10 1970s telephones, the Indian silver bowl, and the Victorian pencil sketch.

Mark has been careful with his cash.

He spent a total of 120 pounds on that lot.

Christina has a real mixed bag for the final auction.

She also has five lots.

The Royal Doulton tea service, the golfing snuff box, the combo lot of the novelty rabbit hatch complete with a chicken, ha, The silver plated novelty salt, and the Cadbury's milk churn.

What a lot.

Christina has spent a total of 155 pounds.

Thoughts, please, on each other's goodies.

10 telephones for 10 pounds, I mean, he cannot go wrong, surely.

The most commercial item, I think, is the little silver box.

Battered or not, is a nice looking object.

His really beautiful little Indian silver bowl, I think, is just gorgeous, and it's what the market wants right now.

A rabbit hutch?

Why on Earth would you buy a rabbit hutch?

All in all I'm feeling quite uncomfortable.

NARRATOR: Christina and Mark are traveling to an auction in Bolton in Greater Manchester.

With just over 20 pounds separating them, this is one of the closest finals in Road Trip history.

It's the last, so whatever happens, we're going to be smiling.

Exactly.

That makes me quite sad.

It does, I'm going to have a tear.

Oh it's all right, it's OK. Oh, hang on a second, I've got a hanky.

No, it's fine obviously.

I forced it back.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: No boo-hooing on this show, you two.

Bolton Auction Rooms is the venue for our big showdown.

Oh, sweetheart, I'm hoping for a miracle.

You don't need a miracle, come on.

NARRATOR: Harry Howcroft is the man residing on the rostrum today.

What does he think of Mark and Christina's wares?

The rabbit hutch would actually be a first for us.

We never sold a rabbit hutch in our auction.

The only thing I like about this is a chicken.

The little pencil sketch, quite charming.

how much it will bring?

We simply do not know.

NARRATOR: This is it.

The auction final is about to begin.

The sale is also live on the internet, oh good.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] Oh.

It's quite a full room, isn't it?

It is, isn't it?

NARRATOR: Christina's silver snuff box is up first.

I have 24 to start.

26?

Oh, brilliant.

AUCTION PARTICIPANT: 26.

26 28?

At 28 do we have-- AUCTION PARTICIPANT: 30.

I got 30 pound.

32?

32 on the floor?

Come on, Harry high top.

MARK: I told you.

34?

New better.

All right, don't-- don't fraternize.

36, 38?

It's very nice.

It's very damaged.

40 pound bid, 42, at 40 pound bid with the lady.

44, 46, 44 pound bid.

44 pound bid.

Jen's bid.

That's enough, now.

Put the gavel down.

[LAUGHING] Put the gavel down.

You see, I told you.

That was nice.

NARRATOR: Great start, Christina.

A healthy profit from the get go.

Brilliant first out of the blocks, right?

NARRATOR: It's Mark's turn now.

The leather bowl, heaving with curios.

I've got butterflies.

14 with me, 16 anywhere.

16, 18, 20 pound bid.

20, 22, 24, 26, 28.

28, 30 pounds.

28 pound bid.

28 pound bid with the lady.

[INAUDIBLE] 32, 34, new bidder.

36, 36, 38.

Ugh.

40, 40 pound bid.

42, 42 pound bid.

All done at 40.

32 pound profit.

NARRATOR: Whoever would have thought it?

Well done, Mark.

That launches you straight into the lead.

Well done, well done.

NARRATOR: Now, can we keep up with these chunky profits?

It's Christina's silver plated novelty salt next.

I have a 16 pounds bid.

That's all right.

Listed at 16 pounds.

A bit more, bit more.

I expected a little more.

I have a 16 pounds bid.

18, 20, 22 pound bid.

It's in the room at 22 pound bid.

Is it 24 anywhere?

At 22 pound bid.

Oh, a bit more, next one.

Well, I think-- I think you did all right on that, Christina.

NARRATOR: I concur, Mark.

Every little counts.

Looks like it.

It's so cute.

A little bit like you.

Oh.

NARRATOR: It's Mark's collection of retro telephones next at 1 pound each.

On Commissioner, 42, 44, [INAUDIBLE].

50, 55, 55 pound bid.

It's in the room at 55 pound bid.

I have 55 all on a bid.

For all these phones at 55, one for each of his bedrooms.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Ha-ha, blimey, it's a real corker of a profit.

mark is soaring into the lead.

I'm not sitting that comfortably at the moment.

Yeah you are, I've got my arm around you.

Yes, I know, that's not comfortable.

Oh.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Yeah leave the man alone, Christina.

Prepare yourself, it's Christina's bunny caravan next.

I have a 30 pound bid with me-- --Don't forget the chicken!

34, 36.

All right, Christina.

It's in the room at 36 pounds.

Is there 38 anywhere else?

A 36 pound bid.

Jen's bid, back of the room.

All done at 36 pounds.

NARRATOR: Well someone loved it enough to give you a small profit.

Hopped along nicely.

[LAUGHTER] But it didn't lay the golden egg.

It didn't, I'm afraid.

And that's a goose.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: All right, smarty pants.

It's Mark's Victorian pencil sketch next.

I have 18 pounds on commission.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] 20, 22, 24.

At 24.

26, 28?

No, a 26 pound bid.

26, 28?

Oh, good.

Let's get to 30.

32, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 pound, 42?

Oh, I'm happy with that.

AUCTION PARTICIPANT: 44.

HARRY: 46, 48, 50 pounds, 55, 60?

Oh, 55 pound bid.

All done at 55 pounds.

Oh, well done, darling, well done.

NARRATOR: The sale room are loving your lot, Mark, well done.

Mark, we are so close that every penny counts.

That's true.

Every penny.

NARRATOR: Very true.

Christina's Cadbury milk churn is next.

A 28 pounds bid.

30, 32, 34.

Come on, Harry.

Come on, Harry.

I have a 38 pound bid.

Come on.

40 pounds.

42, I have a 40 pounds bid.

A 42 I need.

No, no, Harry, we need more than that.

HARRY: A 40 pound bid.

I expected a little more than a 40 pound bid.

All done at 40-- Oh, no!

NARRATOR: Ouch!

A genuine surprise and the first loss of the day.

I'm Sorry.

No, you're not.

I am sorry!

Well, then stop smiling.

[LAUGHING] NARRATOR: Yeah, he's a rascal.

Mark's death penny and trench art jug are next.

I have 52 in on commission.

Is there 55?

Do we got 60?

I've got 60 pound bid in the room.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] Come on.

HARRY: All done, then, at 60 pound bid.

Gents bid them at 60.

Oh, wow, so close.

Oh.

NARRATOR: A moving piece of history and a small profit for Mark.

I think that's a brave purchase.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: Christina's Royal Doulton tea set is next to go under the gavel.

32 I made, 34 I need.

34, 36, 38, 40, 42.

42 pound bid.

It's in the room at 44.

46, 48, 50 pounds.

55, 55, 60, 65, 70.

It's on the net at the moment at 65 pounds.

Is there 70 in the room?

It's the condition.

It's the condition of it.

65 pounds.

20 pounds profit, Christina.

NARRATOR: That's more like it, Christina.

Christina, the last lot of the auction.

(SINGING) and now-- (SINGING) The end is near.

NARRATOR: Not singing again.

Mark's silver Indian bowl is next.

I've got 32, 34 I need.

Quite the [INAUDIBLE].

34, 36 on the form.

That should be [INAUDIBLE].

38, 40 pounds on the phone.

40 pound bid on the phone.

AUCTION PARTICIPANT: 42.

42, 44, 44 pound bid.

AUCTION PARTICIPANT: 46.

HARRY: 48?

I have a 48 pound bid on the phone.

AUCTION PARTICIPANT: 50.

55 I need.

55 on the phone.

60, new bidder.

65?

I have 65 back on the phone.

All done, then, at 65 pounds bid, then at 65.

65, well done.

NARRATOR: Wonderful result, Mark, and what an excellent way to end the auction.

Oh, that's it, Christina.

It's all over.

I can't believe it's all over.

I know, the last auction.

Yeah, aw.

And for once, I think I might have had a good auction.

Can we just do it all again?

I'll try harder next time.

I think you've tried hard enough.

I'm not happy, no, come on, I'll get you some chocolate.

CHRISTINA: Oh, yes please.

NARRATOR: I think you both deserve it.

For the final time this week, let's figure out the calculations.

Christina began with 377 pounds and 10 pence.

And after auction costs, she's made a small profit of 14 pounds and 74 pence.

Christina's final earnings are 391 pounds and 84 pence.

On the fifth and final leg, Mark began with 398 pounds and 36 pence.

After auction room costs, he's made a smashing profit of 105 pounds and 50 pence.

Mark takes the shiny Road Trip crown.

His final earnings are a wonderful 503 pounds and 86 pence.

So well done, old fruit, and all profits go to children in need.

- Did you win?

- I did.

- Well done.

- Well, thank you.

Oh, thank you.

You're wonderful.

Shall I drive?

- Yes, come on.

Winner takes it all.

I'll get wet.

NARRATOR: What a humdinger of a week.

Wait, come back!

NARRATOR: Christina put her head to good use.

CHRISTINA: Do you think I'd be a good Chinese dragon?

NARRATOR: Old dragon, more like it.

Meanwhile, Mark was in utter chaos.

MARK: I'll have to sit and wait.

Morning.

NARRATOR: And they both loved larking about.

Let me see your teeth.

Why?

Oh, that's all right.

Your fangs aren't out yet.

No, not yet.

NARRATOR: But most of all, our road trip lovies don't want it to end.

Hey, I couldn't have hoped for a better companion.

Oh, stop it.

I'm welling up.

NARRATOR: (CRYING) You'll get me going in a minute.

Bye bye, road trippers.

[MUSIC PLAYING]