VOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts...

I don't know what to do.

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

What a little diamond.

VO: The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.

Back in the game.

Charlie!

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

Oh!

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

Oh!

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip.

VO: Yeah.

VO: Today is the second helping of our Road Trip escapade with auctioneers Mark Stacey and Thomas Plant.

I don't think I'm a Superman.

No, no, I think you are more like an overweight Lois Lane.

That is so harsh.

If I'm an overweight Louis Lane, God only knows what that makes you.

Oh, don't.

Don't.

VO: Oh, they love one another really.

Mark is having a go at a spot of clairvoyance.

If only I could say mirror mirror on the wall who is going to make the greatest profit of them all?

VO: Thomas dazzles us with his encyclopedic knowledge of antiques!

This looks almost like a female bottom.

VO: Do you know?

He's right and they are putting their foot down in the racy little number.

The 1978 MGB GT.

I had one of those.

MARK: Well, I have to say, Tom, she is doing alright at the moment, the car.

Yes and it's a she is it in your world?

MARK: Well, aren't all cars shes?

THOMAS: Some of them are men, some of them are boys.

I don't know what to call her, actually.

Beauty, Black Beauty.

VO: Glad we cleared that up.

VO: Our road trip buddies started off with £200 but their first auction saw Mark make a big loss on the dreaded cannonball.

VO: This leaves him with £107.50 for the second leg.

VO: But Thomas has edged ahead with a much smaller loss so has a lovely wodge of £194.30.

VO: Mark and Thomas will be making a trip of over 500 miles from Sittingbourne Kent, and will wind all the way along the South East and East Anglia, through Norwich, to finally land in Oakham in the East Midlands.

VO: Today's journey begins in the village of Otford in Kent and the auction will take place in Paddock Wood, also in Kent.

VO: And get this, Otford boasts quite possibly the only roundabout in Britain to have its very own duck pond.

Ducky!

MARK: Well done.

I could get quite used to this.

Could you, what?!

You driving me around.

I'm not going to drive you.

I might offer you a job as a driver.

I'm not going to be your driver.

With all that money you've got to spend.

Oh don't, Thomas.

VO: Don't rub it in, Thomas.

Our road trip pals are sticking together for the first shop of the day.

After you.

Age before beauty.

Thank you.

Did you just say what I thought you said?

I did, I did.

I've always been told.

MARK: Hello.

SHOPKEEPER: Hello.

This is my colleague Thomas, who is competing against me.

SHOPKEEPER: Oh right.

So we mustn't be too nice to him because he is leading.

OK. We are going to have a look round.

Then we'll come back and have a word, that alright?

Yeah, that's fine, lovely.

Thank you.

VO: Right Mark, you've got a bit of catching up to do today.

Got any ideas, mate?

MARK: I have got to think of some sort of plan so I'm going to try and find interesting objects out of maybe £10 that might sell for £30 or £40, so even after commissions and things there is a sizeable profit just to start getting me back in the rhythm.

And of course the one thing I am completely going to avoid is cannonballs.

VO: Don't worry, I don't think you'll find any in there.

MARK: If only I could say "Mirror mirror on the wall, "who is going to make the greatest profit of them all?"

He won't answer me, of course.

And if it did it would probably say Thomas Plant.

VO: Oh dear.

Feeling a bit sorry for yourself?

This is rather attractive, actually.

There is only one period and date this could have been made.

Probably around 1900s, 1905.

But I love these sinuous lines with the lily pads and the stylized berries and leaves here.

VO: Art Nouveau is one of the first modern styles of the 20th century, and takes inspiration from the natural world.

The ticket price is £28.

Seems cheap.

Do you know, I might be a bit cheeky, I'll go and find Jackie.

Jackie?

VO: Time to talk money, eh?

Jackie, I'm doing very well, I've been in here five minutes and I've already found this dish.

I am in a real predicament, Jackie, I'll explain to you and this is no word of a lie.

So put on your caring face.

JACKIE: I will, I'll try.

Try.

I've had my first auction and I shot myself in the foot with a cannonball.

So I am going to be terribly mean to start off with.

Yes, give me a price.

And she is going to tell me to get out of the shop.

Probably will.

I would love to buy it for £10.

Oh!

Ummm.

VO: Oh.

MARK: Ask her what she would be comfortable with.

Thank you.

JACKIE: Alright then.

VO: What are you doing, Mark?

Dealer Wendy is just downstairs.

Mark wants the best price on this.

Best price on this.

He has made an offer which I daren't tell you at the moment but he is offering 10.

Oh no.

(THEY CHUCKLE) Em...15?

Oh, 18.

Right, I'll go and see what he says.

And that really is...

It is really.

Got to have 18.

Oh, Jackie, hello.

You are not going to be happy.

Oh, I'm not, no.

18.

18.

Oh gosh she is being very generous, isn't she?

I tried, I really tried.

MARK: I mean look, it's not a lot of money, is it really?

And she is being very kind to me actually.

Jackie, thank you.

OK. Let's call that sold.

OK, that's lovely.

And I'll carry on browsing.

I'll take it downstairs for you.

Thanks so much, I do appreciate it.

As you can see I am firmly sticking to my £10 challenge.

And I've now spent on my first item £18.

So I'm already 80% over what I said I wouldn't pay.

It's going very very well.

VO: Still, a good discount from the original £28 ticket price, Mark.

Now, what about Thomas?

Alright Mark?

Oh my gosh, Thomas.

I'm like Thor.

VO: In your mind, Thomas.

I was going to smash your profits.

You've already done that.

VO: Well, that's kind of true, actually.

Time to get delving, Thomas.

THOMAS: This is wonderful in a real kitsch sort of way.

It's got foreign on the base.

Foreign was placed on quite a lot of Japanese based goods because after the war, they didn't think that their products would be bought and therefore by putting foreign on, it would come from a foreign country.

They wouldn't necessarily know where.

It is an antique and it is collectable but it's simply dreadful.

VO: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

What do you think that looks like?

VO: Ehmmm... A bottom.

VO: Yes.

And it is called a Coco de Mer.

The seed pod from the Seychelles.

It is almost like a female bottom if you can imagine.

They are quite sensual, there's the bottom and the legs etc, you get them in different sizes.

This one has been made into a tray, a cutlery tray with a handle here, it would have all been covered and it has been designed and it's a tourist piece.

VO: This is the largest seed in the plant kingdom and due to its rarity, the Seychelles native has been protected by law since 2010.

It is just a lovely piece of natural sculpture.

Could be the first purchase of this leg.

VO: Thomas is sure this is late 19th or early 20th century.

Ticket price is £65.

THOMAS: Hi, Beryl?

BERYL: Yes?

I found this.

BERYL: Let me see who it belongs to.

I just worked out what your necklace is.

It is a fox or something.

It is a hedgehog.

Lovely.

It is sweet, isn't it?

He's looking at you.

It is wonderful.

VO: Looks like the Coco de Mer is working the lovey dovey magic.

I would like to ask if it is possible to buy it for 40.

Because of the cracks.

If I wasn't cracked, I wouldn't have a problem.

Yeah.

So you are talking about... 40 quid.

50.

VO: After a quick call to the dealer, Beryl has a price for Thomas.

What do you think you could do?

Shall I just go and ask him?

Yes?

BERYL: Would you meet them at 50?

45.

What about 45?

Go on, then.

Is that alright?

Thank you, Barry.

Thank you.

BERYL: Cheerio.

Love you, Barry.

45.

THOMAS: Brilliant.

VO: What a charmer.

The first purchase of leg two for Thomas.

THOMAS: There's 45.

Thank you.

Thanks for coming.

Thanks very much.

VO: The fascinating Coco de Mer polished nut.

Great.

VO: Mark is 15 miles away in the village of Wateringbury near Maidstone in Kent.

VO: Where Memories Meet is Mark's second shop of the day.

Joseph is the proprietor here.

MARK: Hello.

JOSEPH: Hello.

I'm Mark.

Hi, I'm Joseph.

How are you?

Nice to meet you, Joseph.

Nice to meet you.

I thought I was going to an antique shop but it looks more like a cafe.

JOSEPH: Yeah, we try to mix it all up, really.

I am not sure whether to order a cream tea or try and look for some chocolate.

I'm confused, utterly confused.

VO: What's new?

The antiques are downstairs, Mark.

At least you've got a guaranteed cuppa though.

JOSEPH: Got you a cup of tea here.

Thank you so much.

Looking forward to this.

No cake, I noticed.

VO: Come on, get to work.

MARK: This is an extending book rack so you can have your books there but then as your collection of books expands you can stretch this out.

It is a good decorative thing.

I love the carving and I quite like Indian items.

I am not even going to look at the price of that I'm going to put that as a possibility because I think maybe Joseph might want to get rid of that because there will be more room for cups and saucers, which he probably sells more of than sliding book shelves.

VO: It just goes to show there are purchases to be made amongst the cakes and pots of tea.

And look, he's found something else.

MARK: It is like a pedestal compost, you have got that metal base, the dolphin and then a domed pedestal.

Little flower head on the side.

VO: A comport is simply a footed bowl or plate and it's taken Mark's fancy.

If that was illustrated and catalogued nicely, somebody looking at that online will think, 'Oh that looks rather nice, I'd quite like that for the center of my table.'

And they might pay a reasonable sum for it.

So actually, that might be a possibility.

VO: Sounds like it's about time to talk money to me.

MARK: Joseph.

JOSEPH: I can see you've found a couple of pieces.

I have and I've had a jolly good look round.

You've got some fascinating objects.

Oh, fantastic.

MARK: I am going to tell you what I'm going to try to achieve.

I had a very difficult first auction, I lost quite a lot of money.

VO: I've heard this story before.

But I have found two items but I've got to be terribly mean with you.

I haven't looked at the prices so I don't know what they are, they could be thousands.

VO: Doubt it.

But I need to buy the two of them for £20.

Hoping to get a profit at auction.

VO: The original price on the book slide is £25 and the comport is £26.

Do you think you're going to win?

I would like to think so, yes.

And I think these might help me achieve that.

Well, if you think you're gonna win, I'm happy to sell them to you at that price.

Joseph, you are a star.

VO: Certainly in a generous mood.

Two items at less than half price should help you out there, Mark.

Thank you very much for supporting me.

Perfect.

VO: £20 for the bookslide and the comport.

Thank you, Joseph, and good luck.

Yeah, perfect.

VO: Well done Mark, you now have three lovely lots.

VO: Tom has travelled 14 and a half miles south... VO: ..for a taste of old England in the glorious village of Penshurst in Sevenoaks.

VO: Thomas is stepping back in time to visit Penshurst Place.

This medieval manor house is steeped in royal history.

Literally fit for a king, Henry used the estate as a hunting lodge.

VO: But for the last 460 years it has been in the continuous ownership of the Sydney family.

But there is one Sydney that holds a dazzling torch in the family history.

Thomas is meeting Philip Sydney, the second Viscount De L'Isle to find out more.

THOMAS: Hello Lord De L'Isle.

PHILIP: Nice to see you, Thomas.

So tell me, where actually are we in Penshurst Place?

We are standing in the oldest part of the house which was built in 1341.

When did your family move here?

We were given it luckily by Edward VI.

VO: Philip's namesake, Sir Philip Sydney, was a great figure of The English Renaissance.

A romantic poet, a charismatic Elizabethan courtier and a heroic soldier, he was a big hit with the medieval crowds and would give many of today's A-List celebs a run for their money.

PHILIP: Here we are.

THOMAS: Gosh.

PHILIP: This is the estate dining room.

These are all sort of the early portraits.

This one here is Philip Sydney but it is actually an 18th century picture.

VO: Philip was born at Penshurst in 1554.

He showed great intelligence from an early age, and at 17 he began a four year tour of Europe that would shape the rest of his life.

When he returned to England, he entered court as the leading advisor to the queen on international relations.

He was just 21.

THOMAS: Why was he so important?

He just was the Renaissance man, even in the 1950s, someone wrote about him, even at this distance, Sydney is dazzling.

VO: You bet!

Not just a statesman, Philip was also a prolific writer and worked to raise the standards of literature in England.

His writing is said to have inspired Charles Dickens and been likened to the great Bard.

PHILIP: Shakespeare obviously is famous but if you go and talk to academics, they will bring him up as being one of the leading lights.

He was known for being quite irascible that he always managed to charm, particularly the queen, to get back in her good books.

VO: This charismatic gentleman blessed with dashing good looks rose through Elizabeth's court becoming an ambassador at 22, an MP at 27 and was knighted at just 29.

PHILIP: Because he was a poet and quite good looking, the queen held a candle for him.

He went off to take ship with Sir Francis Drake, a mate to go the Americas, to Virginia.

He got down to the port and the queen sent a messenger to get him back, she wanted him around.

VO: Despite the queen preventing him putting himself in danger, Sir Philip aspired to be a soldier.

During the Eighty Years war in Europe he picked up arms and, fighting for Elizabeth's protestant cause against the Spanish, paid the ultimate price.

THOMAS: Fighting against the Spanish, he met a sticky end, didn't he?

His great friend Fulke Greville turned up without his sidearm on his legs and so Sir Philip said as a chivalrous act, if you haven't got yours on, I won't have mine on.

Silly boy.

And he got a musket ball in the leg.

He died six weeks later.

What a brave man to take off his armor.

Well, I think it is foolhardy.

Probably yes but we all think.... and how old was he?

32 when he died.

That's no age, is it?

32 and he'd achieved so much.

VO: Upon Sir Philip's tragic death, his great champion, Elizabeth I decreed that he be given a state funeral.

The first commoner to be graced with such an honor.

Ever.

PHILIP: So this is what I was going to show you, this is Sir Philip Sidney's funeral helm.

It looks big.

It is larger than life size and it was probably made at the armory at Greenwich.

THOMAS: He was granted a state funeral.

The first commoner to have a state funeral and the next one was Nelson.

THOMAS: It must have been a vast expense.

I would imagine it ran into millions of pounds...

In today's money?

..in today's money.

VO: A fitting end for a noble statesman, a valiant soldier and one of the greatest Elizabethan writers.

Talking of sparkling luminaries, our lovable duo are reunited once again.

Time for a rest before they get going again tomorrow.

So nighty night, chaps.

VO: The heavens have descended but it isn't dampening the spirits of our Mark and Thomas, oh no.

MARK: I have not bought a cannon.

You are going to have to buy something spherical.

MARK: I'm with you, you're slightly spherical.

Mark...

I'm not at all slightly spherical.

VO: No, you're a fine figure of a man.

VO: Let's remind ourselves of their shopping trip so far.

Mark didn't have the biggest budget but still acquired three items.

He bought the Art Nouveau silver plated fruit dish, the carved book slide and the porcelain and gilt comport.

He still has £69.50 to spend today.

VO: Thomas needs to put his foot down as he's only bought one item.

The rather fascinating Coco de Mer polished tray shell nutty thing, which means he's got £149.30 for the day ahead.

VO: Thomas and Mark are starting their morning in the village of Chart Sutton in Kent.

I am looking forward to our shared shop, I do like a shared shop.

I like annoying you in the shop.

I like you annoying me, Thomas.

Fortunately, you are one of those people I can just rise above.

Am I just white noise?

Kind of, yes.

VO: Charming!

They are both shopping in Chart Sutton Antiques.

I do hope they behave themselves.

Fat chance!

THOMAS: Oh, what are you doing?!

MARK: Hello.

VO: Handbrake!

Oh, God.

THOMAS: I tell you, you are never driving again!

Look at you.

MARK: Oh, stop moaning and get in.

VO: They should come with a health and safety warning, those two.

MARK: Hello.

I'm Mark.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you too.

This is my friend Thomas.

Hi, I'm Thomas.

Thomas, nice to meet you, I'm Trevor.

Hi Trevor.

Nice to meet you both.

You looking for some bargains?

I am looking for some bargains.

You won't find them in here.

Let's go then.

Let's go.

VO: Off to a good start, chaps.

Now if they can just get along in such close quarters we'll be fine.

MARK: I'm watching you.

I'm watching you.

THOMAS: I can hear you.

I'm watching you.

VO: Just like children.

There's a lot to choose from here and Mark's spotted something.

This is charming.

This is really nice because it is modelled as a lady's shoe.

VO: At least it's not another lady's bottom.

MARK: But sadly the end of the foot is missing there which is a real shame actually.

Priced at £20.

That's quite cheap.

VO: Lovely.

Oh, look, he's onto something else now.

This is what I would call a cigarette box but I like the inscription, presented to lieutenant FC Rogers by his brother officers on the occasion of his marriage, 18/07/1934.

That is priced at £48 which is quite a lot of money but it is a nice presentational piece and I like that, actually.

I might have to go over the £10 challenge with this one.

VO: Trevor is on hand to assist and luckily Robin, the owner of the cigarette box, is also here.

MARK: I think it is beautifully done and I love presentational things.

Cuz it's a piece of history.

Maybe we should take advantage of the owner being present if we are going to negotiate a price then.

The owner is heading to his local pub.

MARK: Oh is he?

VO: Yeah, better make this quick then Mark.

I had the most disastrous first auction.

VO: Oh, here we go again.

MARK: I think this could be quite interesting.

Of course I don't want to push you.

Not much.

Not much.

But I really could do with a leg up if I can.

Do you want me to give you some money to take it away?

Would you mind?

You're very good.

MARK: Look, I am going to be terribly mean, then you can come back to me, alright?

What about 20 quid?

No way sir!

Oh go on.

No, no, no, no, no.

What do you think?

I'll go down to 40 on it.

Oh no, I can't do it for 40.

MARK: Could we possibly do it for 30?

And I will shake your hand.

I think you'd take my hand off as well if we did that.

Honestly, I wouldn't ask if I wasn't so desperate.

THOMAS: Don't do it!

Shut up.

"Don't do it" stays true.

VO: Thomas, concern yourself with your own shopping.

Please!

32.

And you have really really done well with that.

MARK: 32.

Thank you, it was very nice of you.

ROBIN: Good luck to you.

VO: With an original ticket price of £48, Mark's got another generous deal for the very stylish cigarette box.

Now what about that little fruit knife?

Can that be terribly, terribly, terribly cheap?

Depends on what terribly cheap is, doesn't it?

MARK: Starting point I'm going to suggest to you is a fiver.

TREVOR: 12.

MARK: 12.

I think if we can say 10 I'll have it because I think it might make 20 at auction.

Can we split the difference and do 11?

No we cannot.

Over a pound!

For goodness sake.

I know times is hard but it's much harder for me.

MARK: Oh, go on say a tenner.

TREVOR: Tenner.

MARK: Are you sure?

TREVOR: It's yours.

Happy?

TREVOR: Happy.

MARK: Thank you very much.

TREVOR: No problems at all.

VO: Cor, more generous deals for Mark.

The cigarette box and the little knife now give him a total of five items.

But how's that Thomas getting on?

It's very offputting listening to him rabbiting on trying to do a deal.

Oh, he's done it.

Finally.

VO: Yeah, despite the distractions, Thomas soon sniffs something out.

That looks quite fun, that's 19th century and I bet you that's a vesta case, a match strike.

So it's really unusual.

I wouldn't mind looking at that.

VO: Trevor's services are required once more.

THOMAS: It's just this creel here.

It's quite sweet that, isn't it?

VO: This little vesta box dates from the 19th century and is priced at £8.

If that's going to be a fiver that would be fabulous.

OK, we could do, I'm sure we could do something for this.

I'm sure we could do something.

That creel is more Mark's budget but it is dead sweet.

You've got the actual...

It's well modelled, it's in brass, it's 19th century.

It appeals to two different types of collectors and fishing is the most popular pasttime in this country.

Online it would look brilliant, if they photograph it well.

VO: This could be a winner, Thomas.

Can I talk about that creel?

Yes of course.

Yeah.

Do you think it could be...

It could be £5.

THOMAS: Can it?

TREVOR: Yes it can.

That's definitely a buy.

Yeah, good.

THOMAS: Thank you very much.

I'll give you a fiver if that's alright.

OK, thank you.

VO: That was quick.

Although with two items Thomas is still lagging behind his rival on the buying stakes.

VO: Mark, meanwhile, has finished shopping and is heading 14 miles north to the historic town of Rochester.

I am so looking forward to seeing the castle.

I believe it's quite historical.

VO: It is... Mark is visiting Rochester Castle, one of the best preserved Norman fortifications in Europe.

VO: It is here that the most famous siege in medieval history took place, a battle that would ultimately decide whether the crown of England would stand or fall.

VO: Mark is meeting with education officer Jeremy Clarke to find out more about this bloodthirsty tale.

Hello.

Hello Mark.

I'm Jeremy.

Nice to meet you, Jeremy.

Welcome to Rochester Castle.

MARK: Shall we go in?

JEREMY: Let's go in.

Why not?

VO: In 1215 this castle was central to King John's struggle to retain power in the country.

He was famously unpopular for raising taxes and harshly exploiting his feudal rights.

This bred deep discontent with the ruling barons.

They decided to take action.

MARK: Jeremy, why have we arrived at this part of the castle?

This is the best place for us to pick up the story of 1215, the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta.

VO: The Magna Carta was first drafted by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1215 to make peace between King John and the rebel barons.

Amongst the many conditions it promised access to swift justice.

Neither side stood by their commitments.

Battle preparations began immediately.

JEREMY: Anyone who was heading for the interior of Britain is probably going to end up going through Rochester and across Rochester Bridge.

So the barons tried to anticipate what is going to happen by holding the bridge, holding the castle and preventing John getting anywhere near London.

VO: King John was determined to hang on to his land and his crown.

JEREMY: John moves very quickly and he is at Rochester within three days.

And sieges were complicated in the Middle Ages but a large part of them was negotiation.

You didn't want to lose men yourself, you wanted, if possible, to gain your objectives without any budget or as little as possible.

But John turns up and he attacks.

MARK: Straight away?

Straight away.

VO: A bloody civil war began with the barons holed up inside and King John and his men outside trying to blast the walls down.

JEREMY: He seems to have been initially successful in bringing down the outer walls but his siege engines failed to make any impression on this keep.

So he changes his plan.

They attempt to undermine a corner of the tower.

VO: Very quickly King John's men chipped away at the keep, pickaxing their way deeper and deeper and replacing stones with wooden pit props.

John sent a writ, an order for the fat of 40 pigs of the sort the least good for eating.

So that is the fattiest of fatty pigs.

The soldiers would then get hold of the pork fat and push it into the hole, round the pit props, grease everywhere, so that when they set fire to it, it burned really fiercely which would crack and collapse the pit props and this entire quarter of Rochester Castle keep came crashing to the ground.

VO: Oh!

With the King's men inside, the barons retreated behind the safety of a second thick wall.

But the siege soon came to an end when all provisions ran out.

John does actually have to starve them out.

They're reduced to eating their horses.

Oh!

VO: After two months of stallion and chips, the barons surrendered.

King John's advisors dissuaded him from killing all the survivors, who were instead imprisoned.

Well, a very splendid view up here, Jeremy.

It's wonderful, isn't it?

So, King John has won Rochester Castle back.

Things go badly for him after that.

He loses the crown jewels attempting to cross the wash in East Anglia.

Contracts dysentery and dies soon after.

But curiously, the tide turns back in favor of the crown.

VO: With the tyrant king now dead and the crown handed to John's nine year old son, the Magna Carta was reinstated by the rebel barons in 1217.

It became the foundation for future government and as such remains a powerful symbol of liberty around the world.

VO: Thomas has travelled 15 miles north to the town of Strood.

VO: And he's still got a bit to buy.

VO: Cottage Style Antiques is Thomas's last shop and he's got just over £144 to spend.

THOMAS: Hello Bill.

BILL: Hello Thomas.

Nice to see you.

And you.

God, you've got a lot of stuff in here.

Ah, it's loaded.

THOMAS: Ha!

It is loaded, isn't it?

VO: There's certainly a lot to choose from here.

THOMAS: Two little Poole pots, hand painted, these are very Deco with this dash design to the rim.

Definitely a possible purchase.

VO: These little Poole Pottery salts date from the 1930s and are a fiver each.

THOMAS: You may hate it, you may love it, but this is real West German pottery.

Looks like lava dripping down a column.

VO: Hmm, I'm feeling sick.

The Fat Lava style of West German pottery is still very much in its infancy as a collectable but some pieces can command hundreds, even thousands of pounds.

This one has a ticket price of £20.

Being German, it's got to be efficient.

Now, on here is the number 26.

Because it's German, that 26 means it is 26cm high.

No word of a lie, every bit of West German pottery has its size on it so you don't have to do it.

So that definitely could be a purchase.

And these two little salts and um, they're different sizes.

I think if I bought them it will annoy Mark, which I quite enjoy.

VO: I just hope it doesn't end in tears.

THOMAS: So this is a walking cane, I think it is probably horn from a goat.

In the 19th century, these sticks were sometimes used as sort of rent sticks and that means over 100 years ago you would knock on your tenants door, knock, knock, knock, and you got your rent.

And if they got angry with you or if you got...

Yes, they were used as sort of persuaders, I would say, to pay up.

VO: Yeah, rent sticks were often used in the 18th and 19th centuries by tyrant landlords as weapons against tardy tenants.

I think this is certainly one which would be...

It's beautiful shape and form.

VO: It's got a ticket price of £48 so let the haggling commence!

THOMAS: What could it be?

BILL: 38.

THOMAS: 38.

Can it be 28?

I'll let you have it for 30, how's that?

£30.

So that would be... That's ever so fair.

That is ever so fair, isn't it?

VO: Ever so fair.

What about the Poole salts and the West German vase?

BILL: Well, they've got 30 on them, haven't they?

THOMAS: Yeah.

BILL: And I suppose you want them for next to nothing?

THOMAS: Not necessarily, but I want to give you something for them.

VO: That's good of you, Thomas, gosh.

What about 20?

THOMAS: Perfect.

OK, £50 for the lot.

You've got a deal.

BILL: Yip.

THOMAS: Yeah.

VO: Well, that completes Thomas's shopping.

He has a total of five items including the Coco de Mer tray, the vesta fishing creel, the Fat Lava vase, the pair of Poole pottery salts and the 19th century rent stick.

Thomas was thrifty with his cash, spending just £100 but what a variety of stuff.

VO: Mark worked with extreme caution.

He also bought five items - the silver plated dish, the book slide, the continental comport, the fruit knife and the silver cigarette box.

Spending a cautious £80.

VO: But what do they think of each other's bag of treasures?

MARK: I love that Coco De Mer basket.

I think it's wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful.

They can make serious money, so that's really first of all got me worried as he only paid £45 for it.

He has bought a lovely Art Nouveau tray for £18, I think that's a great looking thing and I really, really like it.

He's lost half his money, he really needs to do well this time so if he beats me and he does well, I don't mind.

I think he is going to walk away with another auction here and I'm not happy.

VO: No, you're not!

VO: Our road trip rascals are heading to their second auction 19 miles away in the rural town of Paddock Wood near Tonbridge in Kent.

So Mark, you've bought quite differently this time than you did?

Yes, with one decision I made quite firmly and that is not to buy another cannon.

Strange that, isn't it?

Strange isn't it?

Did you see any though to buy?

No, no.

And when you were in the castle, did they mention cannonballs?

No, they didn't.

VO: Oh you cheeky scamp, Thomas.

The auction is being held at Hop Farm Auctions.

A rather beautiful setting, fellas.

THOMAS: Watch the plant pots!

MARK: I'm watching the plant pots.

I thought you'd be used to that, Plant.

THOMAS: Right, come on, hurry up.

Turn the engine off!

(HORN HONKS) MARK: Oh, hello!

I may... You announcing us?

I'm announcing I'm here.

VO: It's all fun and games, for now.

Our auctioneer today is Alexander Jenkins.

What does he think of Mark and Thomas's lots?

The Coco De Mer tray is lovely but personally I'd rather see it as a whole item and not carved.

There is a little bit damage there.

The items that I'd like to see do well are the fruit knife and the vesta I think will catch people.

I think people will just like that.

But I think pear knife, the smallest item of the lot, I think that's the little winner of the lot.

VO: All quiet, the auction is about to begin.

First up it's Thomas's Fat Lava vase.

AUCTIONEER: £10 anywhere?

£10?

Five?

£5 surely?

Six behind you.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

10.

£9 there.

10.

12.

14.

16.

Oh, there's profit.

AUCTIONEER: 18.

Go on!

18's there.

20.

MARK: 20.

AUCTIONEER: 22.

Have another one.

20's here.

22 anywhere?

£22 in the room and selling at 22.

I take my hat off to you, you made a profit.

Well, I knew I would.

Oh, did you?

Of course you did, Thomas.

VO: Of course he did!

Good profit to start us off with though.

Next up is Thomas's fascinating carved Coco De Mer tray.

44, 46.

48, 50.

50's there.

52 anywhere?

All the hands fly up.

52, let's just call 60.

£60.

70.

80.

90.

MARK: Told you.

100.

110.

120.

120 anywhere?

110 I've got here.

120, 130.

MARK: I told you.

AUCTIONEER: 150.

160.

Come on, stop pursing your lips, get that bid out.

160?

160's there.

170?

MARK: Well done.

AUCTIONEER: 170's there.

170, it is going.

Last chance.

170 it is.

Well done.

Thank you.

Yeah, it is pretty... Oh well.

Not even sure I want to stay for my lots.

It's over again.

VO: Excellent result.

Thomas has quite the lead now.

It's Mark's first lot of the day, the carved book slide.

AUCTIONEER: Start it off at 30.

£30 for it?

£30 for the bookslide?

Quite right too.

MARK: £30, tripled my money anyways.

THOMAS: Yes, brilliant.

AUCTIONEER: £32 anywhere?

32.

34.

36.

38.

40.

42.

44.

46.

MARK: Go on!

AUCTIONEER: 48.

50.

£48 here, £48 last chance, £48.

That is really good, isn't it?

I'm pleased with that.

48.

Do you know, that's not a bad price.

Thank you so much, Joseph, I'm so pleased I went into that cafe.

VO: At last, all smiles from Mark.

Good return on your £10 spend.

Back to Thomas, it's the 19th century rent stick next.

AUCTIONEER: £20 for it?

Come along, 20.

£20 anywhere?

20 I've got, thank you.

22 anywhere?

Should be.

22 anywhere?

£20 in front.

THOMAS: That's a shame.

AUCTIONEER: At 20 I sell then.

That's your first loss.

It is, isn't it?

£20, lost £10 on it.

And a bit more.

VO: Thomas's first loss but he's still out in front.

Next up it's Mark's continental comport.

Another one of his tenner buys.

AUCTIONEER: Starts off here with me at £20.

Do I see 22?

THOMAS: God, doubled your money.

AUCTIONEER: £22 anywhere?

22.

£20 I have.

22.

Come along.

22 anywhere?

Maiden bid... THOMAS: I think you should complain.

Come on.

THOMAS: £20 I doubled my money, Thomas.

Congratulations.

VO: He's happy with that.

Your tenner tactic is working so far.

Now Mark again, with the slightly dearer £18 silver plated Art Nouveau tray.

And we now have auctioneer Paul at the rostrum now.

AUCTIONEER: Start me at 20?

£20?

THOMAS: Come on.

£10 then?

Silver plate.

10 I'm bid at the back.

12 I'm bid.

14.

16, 18 at the back.

20 online if you want?

Come on, 20, 22.

22, 24 online.

Oh, this is a shame.

This is a shame, should be £30, shouldn't it?

MARK: Oh, that is disappointing.

I am, I feel a bit let down.

I really thought that might do a bit better.

VO: Hey!

It's still a profit, Mark.

Next up are Thomas's Poole pottery salts.

AUCTIONEER: £8 anyone?

£8.

Start me at £5, I'm bid.

Six anywhere else?

£5, one bid takes it at £5.

£7 I'm bid.

Last time, 1019, all done at £7.

That's really good, Thomas.

Well worth spending a fiver to make £2.

Well worth doing that, isn't it?

Really tactical.

Well done, it paid off.

VO: A small profit for Thomas there.

Can Mark's elegant little fruit knife help him catch his rival?

AUCTIONEER: £20 for the fruit knife?

Gotta be worth 20.

MARK: Come on.

THOMAS: Go on.

£10, is there 12?

12, 14, 16, 18, 20.

22?

THOMAS: There you are.

At £20, £20 online.

Small incy wincy profit.

Those low punches, back in the ring again.

Back in the ring but still not getting anywhere.

VO: Come on, Mark, you've doubled your money with that little knife!

It's Thomas' fishing creel vesta box next.

Another nice little thing.

£30?

30 online is there too.

32, I knew you were waiting sir.

34.

Online if you want.

36.

36 I'm bid, 36, 38.

£38, 40 online if you want.

40, 42?

42 I'm bid.

44?

Oh, it is good.

Yeah, it is good.

£42, one more, 1040 if you want.

44, 46.

44.

That's a good price.

It's a good price.

It is worth that.

It is lovely.

It is beautiful.

At £44, last time at 44.

That's brilliant.

MARK: I think that's brilliant.

THOMAS: That's brilliant.

It deserved to make that money.

THOMAS: Yeah, it did.

And a bit more, I wouldn't have been surprised.

If it, 50 quid.

Yes.

He tried 50.

So, well done.

VO: You bet!

Amazing profit built on a £5 stake.

It's the last item and last chance for Mark, the elegant silver cigarette box.

£100 for the silver box?

Anyone at £100?

Too much.

Oh, come on.

AUCTIONEER: Silver box for £80?

£80... Start me at 50 then.

Anyone?

£50 I'm bid.

55.

60.

Five.

70 anywhere?

At 65.

Well, there we are, Thomas, that was my last chance.

Doubled your money.

Well, I made £33 on it which is good.

VO: Thank goodness for that.

Great profit.

Who will be the jubilant winner of the second leg?

Let's work out the math.

VO: Mark started this leg with £107.50.

After auction costs are deducted he's totted up a profit of £63.50, so Mark's grand total for next time is £171.

VO: Thomas began with £194.30 and after auction costs, made an excellent profit of £115.66.

So he is the triumphant winner of today's leg carrying £309.96 into the next leg.

Well done, boy.

Well, you've done it again, Mr Plant, well done.

Thank you, Mark.

But I've crept up a little, I think.

You have, haven't you?

I'm quite pleased.

Are you going to drive?

I would drive you because you've been successful as well as I have.

Oh, you are kind.

I feel you need your energy.

I do need my energy.

I need more than...

I need a drink.

VO: Bye bye chaps, see you next time.

Next time on Antiques Road Trip, Mark turns on the charm.

This has always been my problem, I'm too generous.

VO: While Thomas changes his tactics.

(BLOWS WHISTLE) Yeah, that works.

Maybe I'll be able to call Mark.

(BLOWS WHISTLE) subtitling@stv.tv