VOICEOVER (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?

You got a deal.

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

It's round two of our West Country rummage around the rugged Cornish rocks.

Look at the views, look at the views!

Holy Moses!

What's that rock over there?

Not a clue!

VO: Absorbing the southwest weather in a vintage Alfa Romeo are dealer Margie Cooper and auctioneer Paul Laidlaw.

We're at a remote corner of the country.

You do feel a bit of distance from the hustle and bustle and that.

Everything's a bit chilled!

Yeah, it's like an island.

Unfortunately, they were a bit chilled in that auction as well.

VO: It certainly wasn't a cool one for either of our experts but Margie's posh tools were a particular disappointment.

How much loss is that?

That's just a lot.

I think we'll just call it a lot!

VO: Not that her competitive companion would ever harp on about it, of course.

Margie, Margie, Margie, Margie.

What?

We're in the right place after all!

Sorry, Margie.

You're rubbing it in!

It's a rich vein this and I'm obliged to mine it till it's exhausted!

VO: They both set out with £200, but Margie has so far shrunk hers to just £138.56.

VO: While Paul's managed a modest increase of £18.46.

So, not a lot to boast about, either of you.

Between us, what have we got?

300 quid?

Yeah.

That'll buy us two surf boards!

Come on!

VO: Hang on, we want money makers, not beach bums.

VO: Our trip begins close to England's most westerly point, at St Buryan and heads both north and east.

We then take a roundabout trip through Wales, before arriving at Newent, in Gloucestershire.

Today, we're starting out in Cornwall, at Wadebridge and ending up at an auction on the Devon coast at Seaton.

VO: Around here, it's all about the bridges.

The River Camel runs through here and until they built the first crossing in the 15th century the town was just called Wade.

It then became Wadebridge.

Ah, very straightforward.

There be bargains!

You don't say bargains in this business, you say good buys!

Oh, right.

Like we haven't done.

VO: More bridges followed and there's even one from 1991 that was built for the TV series Challenge Anneka.

Speaking of challenges.

Morning!

Morning.

Morning, Margie.

Hi, I'm Mike.

Hiya, Mike, how are you doing?

I'm Paul.

Good to see you.

VO: There are three very full floors at Victoria Antiques.

What you might call a proper antiques shop, including oodles of fine furniture that will surely be out of their bracket.

And for those with a thing about barometers... Er, clockwise.

VO: ..Paul's as rigorous as ever, but Margie's wandered off-piste.

It seems the dealer's son, Carl, has a backgammon set for sale.

And it's complete?

Yeah, yeah, it's got all its doubling dice.

Probably not old, it's probably about 1970s, '80s.

CARL: Something like that.

MARGIE: Right... Why bother with antiques when you can't make money at auction?

Well, that's right.

You could have it for £15.

You couldn't do 10, no?

That would be a real insult.

It would, yeah.

And I withdraw that comment, immediately.

VO: Paul's cribbage board was certainly a bit of a letdown at the last auction, Margie.

It's a good size, that's the thing with it.

Yeah.

It's the size that matters.

VO: Yeah, size isn't everything, though, is it?

Meanwhile, Paul's found something very familiar.

Sexy lady!

VO: The ticket price on that card tray is £55.

Could you slacken the price of that one?

Testing the water.

I could do with a lot of slack, to be honest with you but... £30.

It's getting in the right direction.

VO: Well, she's certainly a bit pricier than the little Belle Epoque desk seal he acquired earlier on the trip.

This is going to sound so wrong, she's cheap!

VO: Yeah, but Paul seems equally enthused.

Second time around, then!

I've got a nice piece of full period, art nouveau metalwork here.

That could sit in your hallway for visiting cards or whatever.

I like the fact that you've got quality modeling here.

Look at the visage on this lady here.

She's demure.

She is holding this oversized tray in a provocative stance.

I love this piece!

VO: Calm down, Paul.

So, Mike's telling me that it could be £30.

Now, there is one fault, you've just got a wee crack there.

I don't think it's catastrophic, it doesn't help it... (WHISPERS) ..but it might help me get the price down a bit.

VO: Ah, Margie's made a bit of a find now too.

I'm not sure whether I should be allowed in here.

VO: It's in the kitchen.

Wow!

A collection of elephants - Ebony.

VO: And ivory, unfortunately.

His little tusks and his little ivory toes there.

These are pre-1940s.

Otherwise, we don't want to go anywhere near them!

You're supposed to have them in your house, facing the door, with his trunk up.

It's lucky.

I've got one in my bedroom.

It's not bringing me much luck yesterday, did it?

VO: Oh, very nice, Margie, but they're not for sale!

I wonder what Mike will make of you rooting about in his private collection.

I'm sorry, that's rude.

Actually I'd be annoyed if somebody did this to me.

No, it's OK.

Occasionally, I do sell them when people ask nicely.

Do you?

How much are the bigger ones like him?

He's nice.

MARGIE: He's a nice one.

MIKE: That's a good one.

Yeah.

I will need 45 for that one, but he's worth every penny.

You need an elephant that's got a purpose really.

Bookends are good, they don't just sit there, but I need to get 45 for them and that is that's... That is it.

He's lost his tusks, bless him.

They've dropped out over the years, although he's got his little... His little toes are alright.

They've got to go for 60-odd then we've got to take off the commission.

I just don't think I'm going to make it, do you?

My last price, I'll give you right now, this is the bargain of the day, £35.

They're just delightful, aren't they?

MARGIE: 35.

MIKE: OK. MARGIE: Thanks, Mike.

MIKE: You have a deal.

VO: Now, with Margie and her ebony herd back to the usual customer areas, Paul's after a bit of walnut.

Nice piece of wood carving, that, isn't it?

It's a nice, substantial tray.

It's a Victorian piece, late 19th century.

But who wants such a thing?

No-one's got a butler any more.

Erm, £30, not a lot of money.

It's good work, it's good work.

I think I'll find Mike and see what we can do here.

VO: At least it's not part of his private collection, ha!

Another well spotted... Yeah, it's good.

..bargain.

Erm, £30 on it, you can have it for 20.

That's in at 20.

Mm-hm.

What was the lady, was she 30 or 35?

30, I think, yeah.

Do me a bulk purchase deal on the two?

That's got to be 50, hasn't it?

Does it have to be 50?

I'd rather it was a wee bit less than 50.

Just a tad.

No.

VO: He's standing his ground.

It's cheap.

It is cheap, isn't it?

That's why you've got a deal.

MIKE: Good.

PAUL: A pleasure.

MIKE: You've some profit there.

PAUL: Alright, I hope so!

VO: Another lightning raid there, Paul, but what about Margie?

She'll be after a real bargain to go with her Heffalumps, I shouldn't wonder.

Just looking at this silkwork picture.

It's quite nice.

The amount of work that's gone into that!

It's probably early 19th century.

Maybe earlier, probably earlier, 18th century.

Look at the work that's been done here.

Beautiful silkwork.

Look at the window, look at that!

Isn't it beautiful?

Very attractive but it's just been messed up in this awful frame.

If you were a wealthy lady, what did you do all day?

You had a life where you executed stuff like this.

From someone who can't sew a button on, I just think that's amazing!

£48.

I think it's worth asking him if it's any cheaper.

VO: Look out, Mike, Margie's on a mission!

This is something that's just taken my eye.

Oh, yeah.

It's erm...

It needs a lot of work, doesn't it?

£25, there you go.

You've got to buy it for that!

I reckon there's got to be a profit in that.

Yeah, I know, but everybody keeps telling me that and that's when I get devastated at the auction.

VO: She's got a point.

Yeah, but it's a good content.

Yeah.

So, how much was the other piece you bought for?

35.

MIKR: 35?

MARGIE: Yeah.

If I said 55 for the two, there you go.

Oh, you're a wonderful man, Michael.

Alright.

I'll come and see you again.

VO: £20 for the silkwork, not bad, Margie.

And for added value...

I'm giving my little elephants a bit of a clean up... MARGIE: (CHUCKLES) ..in an effort to make a profit.

VO: Oh, she's certainly trying her best.

Now, where's Paul got to?

Seems our militaria buff has spotted a shop called The Bunker.

Stand by.

Hello.

Morning.

How are you doing?

I'm Paul.

Hello, Paul, I'm Bob.

PAUL: You're Bob?

BOB: Yeah.

Good to see you, Bob.

VO: Yeah, apparently, they've just moved here, so most of Bob's stock is still boxed up.

That won't discourage Paul, though.

What's the rocket?

VO: No, Paul, not that.

No!

Medals, yes, but rockets?

It's a drone.

RAF tow that behind a pilot aircraft...

Right?

..and the guys track it and they open fire on it, basically.

Man alive, what an interesting thing!

It's a precision piece of engineering, that, isn't it?

Oh, aye, lovely.

These flush bolts.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Would you sell us that, or not?

Erm, I'd have to think about it.

VO: # How much is that missile in the window?

# Thankfully for Seaton, it doesn't seem to be for sale.

Margie, meanwhile, has traveled south from Wadebridge to St Columb Major.

It may be peaceful here today but not when they play the ancient game of hurling through the streets of St Columb.

It involves several hundred people fighting over a tiny silver ball and all hell breaking loose!

The town crest features the ball and bears the motto - "Town and country, do your best".

Go on, Margie, you do your best.

Oh, no, not another elephant!

(SHOP BELL RINGS) MARGIE: Hello.

JANET: Hello.

Margie, and you are?

JANET: Janet.

MARGIE: Hi, Janet.

An unusual name, your shop.

JANET: It's good, isn't it?

MARGIE: It is.

VO: Ah, yeah, part Brothers Grimm and part Lewis Carroll.

Very apt for the curiosities collected herein and just right for our silver specialist.

Look at her.

What is she then?

So cute.

Oh, what a little cutie!

I can't find who she is!

A little continental thing.

She's lovely, isn't she?

With a little petal hat.

But she's sort of slightly spooky, isn't she?

Yes, she is a bit.

Don't you think?

Yeah, little face peeping out.

I love her!

VO: Looks like a Cornish Piskie, I'd say.

I don't think I ever had a money box.

VO: Now, why doesn't that surprise me?!

Mm, a bit strange.

It's a silver nurse's belt buckle.

I suppose you were bought this when you passed your exams and qualified.

Oh, it's quite old, yeah.

It's 1901 or 1902.

So it's got... How much have you on it?

I've got 89 on it.

Yeah, she'd wear it on her belt buckle.

They are nice things but that's way out of my league, unless you're in an extremely generous mood.

VO: Ah, well, at least they're enjoying themselves!

Early patent Eugen Sandow dumbbells.

Hey!

You go like that.

They're Sandow, he was the... Yeah?

He wasn't Mr Universe, or whatever?

He was, he was the father of modern bodybuilding.

VO: Oh, yes!

The former circus strongman invented displays of bulging muscles, as well as several devices like these.

Edwardian merchandising, eh?

Sandow even coined the term bodybuilding.

There he is.

JANET: Yeah.

MARGIE: With his six-pack.

Yep.

I don't think they're very attractive, six-packs, do you?

Not very cuddly.

Is it men that want six-packs, but we don't?

I think so.

I think so.

I'd rather have a nice smile.

I like a bit of...

I like a nice smile, that's what we want.

JANET: Oh and a bum.

MARGIE: I like a smile.

I think muscles are overrated.

VO: When you've finished working out what you really want, you might think about buying something.

How about another look at that buckle, eh?

Paul did alright with one at the last auction.

I've never seen a heart-shaped one.

She'd have been so thrilled to receive that, wouldn't she?

When she became... Then a SRN, it would be, wouldn't it?

Or a SEN. VO: Meaning either State Enrolled, or State Registered Nurse.

But it's not going to make the money that I want it to make.

I'd love to buy it.

You keep coming back to that, don't you?

VO: Oh, yes, I think her heart's set on it.

With her limited funds, she can only afford about half of that ticket price, though.

Is 38 going to buy it?

Mm...no.

I have had it a while and, you know...

This is it, you know... Get the money, get it into new stock.

And it would be nice to turn it round into something else, wouldn't it?

Oh, bless her.

40 would do it.

It's just a lovely tactile piece of silver.

Oh, come on!

40 sounds better for you, 38 sounds better for me.

Go on, Janet, I'll have it.

I'm not going to argue with you.

JANET: It's lovely.

MARGIE: I'll have it.

JANET: Lovely.

MARGIE: Shake hands on that.

We will indeed.

VO: Lovely!

That £40 leaves Margie with just £43.56 left to spend.

But what about Paul, alone in the Alfa?

North from Wadebridge to the Cornish coast at Tintagel... ..to visit a ruined castle of Arthurian legend.

Wow!

Do you think I'll ever find a more dramatic parking place?

Hello!

Is it Matt?

Hi, Paul, pleased to meet you.

Man alive!

That is a view!

Listen, are you feeling fit?

Do I need to?

Well, we've got to climb up there to see the castle, but I think that, you know, there's a few steps.

PAUL: Lead on.

MATT: I'll come and show.

VO: Whether he was real, or just a myth, King Arthur has fascinated us for many hundreds of years and this romantic spot is where it all starts.

Everyone in Cornwall loves Arthur.

The Cornish people and the Celts have taken Arthur really to heart.

You know, it's a great legend!

If a legend can't be born here, where can it be born?!

VO: Cornwall's association with Arthur dates back to 1156, when Geoffrey of Monmouth, the cleric and scholar, wrote the unreliable, but influential History Of The Kings Of Britain, in which he claimed King Arthur was conceived at Tintagel.

My word!

So, what we're standing in here, this is the courtyard of the old medieval castle.

So, this was built in 1236 by Earl Richard of Cornwall, who was Henry II's half brother.

He wanted to boost his power by association with the Arthurian legend, so he built a grand wall around the outside and his big, great hall to make himself look more powerful.

So, Earl Richard's main castle was at Launceston and this was kind of his holiday cottage.

So, he came here a few times a year and then he'd spend a couple of weeks down here by the seaside.

VO: As you do.

Once the Earl died, his castle of no strategic value soon turned into a romantic ruin, but Tintagel's association with the once and future king just got stronger.

What people have done with the legend of King Arthur, they've just re-written it, fitting for their time and history.

So, once Geoffrey wrote his book, then you've got Le Morte d'Arthur being written in about 1485 by Malory and that time was a time of knights and shining armor and jousting and chivalries.

And then you've got Tennyson came down here... PAUL: The Romantic Revival.

Yeah, so he took one look at Tintagel and he wrote the Idylls Of The Kings and that's kind of why we're here today because without Tennyson and those rich Victorians starting to be the first holidaymakers and wanting to come and see where all these legends were set, and so now, you know, we get up to 190,000 visitors a year.

VO: And Tennyson's poems embellished what Geoffrey of Monmouth and Malory had already come up with, as well as adding a whole new tourist angle to Tintagel when he pronounced that this was Merlin's Cave.

He said that when the baby Arthur was born at the castle, Merlin who lived in this cave was given to him at the entrance and he took him through the cave and whisked him away.

And it does have a magical feel to it, doesn't it?

Doesn't it just!

And maybe some of that magic will rub off on you!

(THEY LAUGH) Is the tide coming in, or going out, Matt?

Well, it's supposed to be going out but I think the waves are coming in.

Maybe it's time to leave.

Come on!

VO: I quite agree, but just when it seemed founded on myth and legend, archaeologists discovered that Tintagel really did once play an important role in history, several hundred years before the castle was ever built.

MATT: During the 5th, 6th century, so you're talking the early medieval period, it was a trading port with the Mediterranean, so you've got these rough ingots of tin coming down off Bodmin Moor... Ah, yeah?

..and the guys who lived here were trading with those.

So, there was boats coming in from North Africa, from the Greek Islands, from southern Spain and they were bringing these big amphoras filled with olive oils and spices.

You've got to imagine it's the middle of summer, there's maybe a thousand people living up here.

They've got all these boats coming in, there's this trade going on and subsequently we've found more bits of pottery here from that period than anywhere else in western Europe.

Arguably, the 6th, 7th century is its real historic heyday?

Yeah, and that's the Arthur period.

VO: So, was Arthur really here?

Recently, this 6th century piece of slate was discovered inscribed with the name Artognou.

It's evidence that the name Arthur, or Artus, was being used back then.

Oh, my word.

Yeah?

So, if there was an historical Arthur and he was born at Tintagel, it kind of fits in.

It does!

Oh, it is astonishing!

VO: Ah, well, back to our own particular Holy Grail.

Is it possible, Paul, to lose all your money?

(THEY LAUGH) VO: That's certainly one way of becoming a legend, Margie.

Night-night, you two.

VO: Next morning there seems to be an issue with the brakes.

How brave are you feeling this morning?

What's happened?

If I told we had a slight problem with the brakes, I would be understating the case.

What are we going to do, Paul?

We've got the whole day to finish!

How are your legs?

MARGIE: Fine!

PAUL: Can I jump on, then?

Piggyback?

VO: Eh.

Well, there's nothing in the rules to say this can't be done on foot, I suppose.

MARGIE: Oh, gosh!

VO: Yesterday, Paul bought a walnut arts and crafts tray and a silver-plated card tray.

I love this piece.

VO: Those set him back £50, leaving almost £170 in his wallet.

Whilst Margie plumped for a heart-shaped buckle, a silkwork picture and a pair of elephant book ends, as you do.

Quite nice.

They are, aren't they?

VO: Yeah, that lot cost £95.

This leaves her with just over £40.

She'll have to be canny with that today.

Now, later they'll be making for an auction in Devon, at Seaton but our next stop is Boscastle.

Come on, Margie, we don't have all day, girl.

Buck up!

VO: This delightful little harbor is a popular tourist destination, not least for its connection with Thomas Hardy falling in love with his first wife here back in 1870.

He called Cornwall Lioness to evoke the myth and magic of the area and Margie's here to find out more about the ancient practice of witchcraft.

Good morning.

You're Joyce?

I am indeed.

It's beautiful surroundings.

It is.

It's a lovely, very magical place here...

I'm sure it is.

..ideal for a witchcraft museum.

VO: Oh, yes.

The museum covers everything from Wiccans to white witches and from Mother Earth to mandrakes.

It was founded by a witch called Cecil Williamson in 1951 and is said to be the largest of its kind in the world.

I mean, I'm superstitious like anybody so are the roots in witchcraft?

Is that where I've got my superstition?

Yes.

I mean, what people don't realize is that magic was a hugely important part of people's daily lives.

Yeah?

And we still have the vestiges of that in modern times, I mean, people still put horseshoes on their doors.

Yeah?

They still send good luck cards with pictures of black cats on.

Mm.

And witchcraft was essentially what happened when this traditional folk magic was demonized.

VO: Our image of a witch on her broom dates largely from the late Middle Ages when men, and especially women, with supposed magical powers came to be seen as a threat to society.

What's a white witch then?

Somebody who used their magic for benevolent purposes.

But it was still frowned upon?

Not amongst ordinary people... No.

..but by the authorities because, essentially, it was quite subversive.

It was something that gave power to ordinary people and, in particular, power to women.

Mm.

This idea was society turned upside down.

VO: Witch hunts began in mainland Europe, but soon spread to Britain where men like Matthew Hopkins accused hundreds of women of sorcery and making a covenant with the devil.

It's been estimated that of the many thousands of deaths throughout the world that resulted from this persecution, at least three quarters were women.

So, we have some really old books here in the library dating from the time of the witch hunts.

This was written in 1681.

One of the particularly interesting pictures is this one.

This was actually a meeting of witches that took place near Wincanton in Somerset...

Right?

..and you see you've got the group of witches gathered round... Yeah?

..the devil who actually looks kind of...

He looks like a minister.

He does, doesn't he?

He doesn't look very devilish at all really.

And they're holding a little wax image... Mm.

..which of course is very much the stereotypical image of, you know, how you put a curse on somebody.

Yeah.

So, here you see how magic was being demonized instead of it being this natural energy, which is what people who practiced magic saw it as.

Mm.

That the devil is actually giving the magical power to the witches.

VO: Nowadays, of course, thanks to Harry Potter, witchcraft and wizardry has an altogether cuddlier image and as the museum demonstrates, magic and especially superstition, are still very much part of our lives.

So, I recognize the famous witch ball.

Yes, and of course those belonged to a long tradition of using shiny things to reflect away bad luck.

Things like horse brasses belong to a similar tradition.

They are also the origin of the Christmas tree decorations but there was very much a superstition that you shouldn't sell them.

VO: One good luck charm that is for sale is this little chap.

This is actually one from the First World War.

Mm?

It's called a Fums Up doll.

He's got a little wooden head so that you can touch wood and these were, erm, given by sweethearts and family to soldiers who were heading off, erm, to the war.

But his hands are held with the thumbs up gesture.

Oh.

Look at that!

And although they're kind of slightly bizarre, erm, little objects, erm, there was behind them this very real awareness that these soldiers were going off into deadly peril.

VO: Another bit of magic that once enjoyed huge popularity was the practice of tasseography, or the reading of tea leaves.

And Margie could certainly do with a peek into her auction future!

Huh!

So you need to drink a bit of that.

Mm?

Shall I let you into a secret?

I hate tea!

Swirl it around and then tip it into the saucer.

That's right.

Ah!

Right.

MARGIE: Have we got it?

JOYCE: We have.

Ooh!

Ooh!

Now, that's really interesting.

You've got quite a lot gathered around the snake.

Do you see the snake there?

Yeah.

That's the symbol of wisdom.

Yeah?

So, you may think that you have made some bad decisions but I reckon it's going to turn out... And then here, you see, we've got some gathered around the four-leaf clover.

Ah.

And so that's a really powerful sign of good luck.

Oh, terrific.

Well, I just jolly well hope you're right, Joyce.

Ah, magic never lies.

VO: Well said, Joyce.

Better not tell Paul, though, he might think Margie's enjoyed an unfair advantage.

Thank you very much indeed.

Well, thank you.

We'd like to give you this witch ball to put up for sale in the auction.

Yeah?

Er, but don't forget that it's unlucky to actually sell them directly so you need to sell some kind of token item and give the witch ball away with it.

OK. VO: And to say thanks... How about if I buy you a cup of tea?

That sounds good to me.

Come on, let's go.

VO: We'll be taking that out of your budget, though.

But while Margie's been in Boscastle for a "spell"... VO: (LAUGHS) ..Paul's made his way over to Okehampton in Devon.

This town's on the northern edge of Dartmoor which, just like most of Cornwall, has its fair share of myths and legends, ghosts, pixies, hairy hounds and even the devil himself has been spotted hereabouts.

And speaking of the old devil.

(CHURCH BELLS RING) VO: This is where the pig pen once stood.

PAUL: Hello there.

JO: Oh, hello.

PAUL: How are you doing?

JO: Very well.

PAUL: You are?

JO: I'm Jo.

It's good to see you.

I'm Paul.

JO: Nice to meet you.

PAUL: How goes it?

Oh, pretty good.

VO: Jo's shop has a bit of everything - antiques, collectables and a dollop of retro.

Plenty to go at.

VO: And whichever way you rummage, it could take some time.

I like a piece that's been buried.

VO: Yeah, he likes that sort of thing, too.

I love period lighting, full stop.

A rather nice, little, counter-weighted lamp.

You think to yourself, "It's just a brass lamp like my granny had, who cares?"

Why does it do that?

Could be a railway carriage.

Marine environment's another option.

Your cruise ship, your passenger ship.

As the carriage or car rocked, your lamp stayed upright.

VO: Interestingly, the word nausea derives from the Greek for ship.

That's a period piece.

Not some nasty 1980s reproduction.

What's our problem here?

It's brass.

No one wants brass in their house because we're lazy.

We don't want to polish the stuff and it's not the preferred metal of choice in interior furnishings at the moment.

Everyone wants white metal.

Your brushed aluminum, your chrome and your nickel.

PAUL: Jo?

JO: Yes?

I like your funky little lamp.

I like my funky little lamp.

Out of a railway carriage, or a cruise liner?

Well, I've got photographs of that identical lamp that are on the Titanic.

I'd love to say it came off the Titanic, but obviously it won't have done.

But it's that... That's exactly it.

Yeah, it's that pattern.

Precisely that pattern.

I'd love to see the book.

VO: Oh, dear.

Not the Titanic.

That'll make it pricey for sure.

I'm looking for £60 for it.

VO: I think he wants to check the facts first.

This is bad news, Jo.

What's it?

Because there are four lamps in four pictures... Yeah?

..and none of them are identical and none of them are identical to ours, but I'm still interested, I don't mind telling you.

VO: Mm.

Perhaps if he finds something to go with it.

How sturdy is the steamer chair?

Can I sit on it?

If I can sit in it, you can sit in it.

Famous last words.

I like that very much.

Now, what's a steamer chair?

It's a glorified deckchair, in what looks like walnut we're looking at there and I assume if we...

I don't know, do we lift the seat and it starts to all move, or what?

Right, you've got to lift these.

Oh, I get it.

And there's a ratchet at the back.

Yeah.

Do you know what?

I feel in a really lazy mood.

Let's go for...

I'll have a little...

I'll have a little sleep.

VO: Did you know the Titanic carried 600 steamer chairs, of which just six survive?

And one of those was sold for £35,000 in 2001.

Here I am.

My man will be with me in just a second.

VO: Or woman.

PAUL: Thank you.

PAUL: (LAUGHS) How apt for Laidlaw.

But I'll tell you, that... ..is comfortable, isn't it?

VO: He's keen on both the chair and the lamp, although the asking price for the two is almost £150.

He's still on the lookout, though.

Something non-nautical, eh?

I love that.

1960s... Kolster-Brandes.

They were high-quality manufacturers of radio and television equipment.

It was an expensive television set, this.

It was the Royal Star.

And arguably, it's a portable telly.

Look at this!

VO: This is definitely turning into a bit of a theme shop.

From the late 1950s, these were installed on Cunard liners, like the Queen Mary, hence the cruise-friendly model name.

The price on that is... £40.

It's mad!

VO: Time to have a word with the captain.

I've got a shopping list with three things that I like, but I'd want to haggle hard with you.

How about if we start at 150?

I'll offer you £100 the lot.

Obviously, I'm not going to accept that.

I think I've got to say 125.

It's just a wee bit rich for me, at 125.

If I budge another tenner, can we shake hands?

So we're, what, 110?

Yeah.

115 and you've definitely got a deal.

I've definitely got a deal, then, haven't I?

You have.

Good man.

Jo, loving your work.

Alright, that's great.

Magic!

Let me give you some money.

VO: So, with 165 spent, Paul must be almost done.

Time to move on.

Hello, there.

DRIVER: Hi, there.

PAUL: Can you take me on?

DRIVER: Yeah, no problem.

PAUL: Excellent!

VO: Not quite the same, is it?

VO: Margie, meanwhile, is heading east, to Exeter.

VO: You'll be amazed to learn that the county town of Devon is surprisingly free of myth, magic and ancient ball games.

It does, however, boast several ghosts and, when it comes to foretelling the future, Exeter has, for the last 10 years, been the home of the Met Office.

Hello!

Good afternoon, Margie.

And you are?

Pleased to meet you.

Norman.

Norman.

VO: Although this is an antiques center, Stormin' Norman does have quite a few of his own things for sale.

What he doesn't yet know, of course, is just how little Margie has left to spend.

I've got about £40-odd left.

So, I'm not in the best of situations at the moment!

VO: You certainly aren't.

There's got to be something, though, for you here, love.

Oh, no, tools!

I'm not coming in there!

VO: (LAUGHS) VO: Those Imari vases would do nicely, though.

The ticket price is £69 and Margie's nowhere near that.

Who owns this cabinet?

NORMAN: Guess who?

MARGIE: You?

How did you guess that?

MARGIE: Is this yours?

NORMAN: (LAUGHS) Seriously, yours?

Yes.

VO: Good luck, you two.

MARGIE: I like them.

NORMAN: They're nice.

Not very old.

Turn of the century.

It's a good phrase that, innit?

MARGIE: (LAUGHS) 1910.

(BOTH LAUGH) VO: (LAUGHS) VO: The coy courtship ritual of the antiques dealer, eh?

They're quite a handsome pair, aren't they?

Interested?

Well...vaguely.

MARGIE: How much?

NORMAN: How much.

VO: I don't know what's in the tea leaves, but I'm feeling hopeful.

Seriously, no joking, all I have got is... £40?

Yeah.

Is that pushing it?

Ooh.

I'd be happy with 40, if you are.

I think you'd do well.

I'm just nearly there.

I'm nearly there.

Nearly there.

VO: Hey!

Norman's just knocked off over a third, Margie.

Now beggars can't be choosers.

40...

They're yours.

I'm boring you now, aren't I, Norman?

I can see.

Not at all, no.

You're stating your case.

My indecision is boring you.

VO: I think our Margie is girding up her loins to make a cheeky offer.

They're not actually a pair, are they?

Can you see?

VO: Oh, they look identical to me.

They are a pair, but just a slightly different shape.

Different shape.

You can't tip me just a teeny bit more?

You're a very persuasive, aren't you, person, yeah?

No, it's only cuz I'm in such trouble, Norman.

NORMAN: (LAUGHS) You have the last say.

35.

You're a... Yeah, 35?

35.

You're a star.

That's right.

You're most welcome.

Thank you very much, Norman.

I shall remember you in my will.

VO: Margie's somehow, managed to magic up five items on a very tight budget, but, as we all know, it's bad luck to auction the witch's ball on its own.

So, what I'm going to do, I'm going to buy a box of matches, which I am going to auction, and they get this free!

Now, please don't think I have gone mad, but could I buy a box of matches, please?

20p.

That's magic!

VO: So, short of buying a lottery ticket, our shopping's complete.

But what did they buy?

VO: Well, Paul went for a card tray, a steamer chair, a retro TV, a brass lamp and an arts and crafts tray, spending £165.

VO: Whilst Margie bagged a buckle, some book-ends, a silkwork picture, a pair of vases and a box of matches, not forgetting her witch's ball, for a cup of tea, making a grand total of £131.70.

NORMAN: There you are.

MARGIE: Thank you so much.

NORMAN: You are most welcome.

MARGIE: A pleasure.

A pleasure to meet you.

VO: So, what do Mystic Margie and Predictive Paul foretell?

My favorite of Margie's purchases is the buckle.

I love it.

Should I love it?

No, because it could make her a lot of money.

The walnut tray.

I think he'd be lucky to get £10 for that.

Elephants.

This is her Achilles heel.

Tourist fodder.

They're not finely executed, but they're bookends.

Bookends are good.

The steamer chair is interesting.

£45?

It's a bit on the edge there.

He could go down with that.

VO: With all hands, eh, Margie?

VO: After starting out beside the River Camel at Wadebridge, this leg of our trip concludes at an auction in Seaton, on the Jurassic Coast.

And, fortunately, the brakes have been newly settled.

Ha!

See the wee geek fossil-hunter in me, when I was a wee boy.

Really?

With my wee hammer.

Really?!

Oh, a place of pilgrimage!

VO: Ha-ha.

Back in the 19th century, long before young Paul arrived, the cliffs and beaches of Lyme Bay were the site of some of the first discoveries of dinosaur remains and local resident Mary Anning, who, after several amazing finds, opened up Anning's Fossil Depot.

Hey!

Ah, your auction awaits, ma'am.

Are you excited?

Stroke terrified?!

BOTH: (LAUGH) VO: Welcome to Lyme Bay Auctions.

I wonder what auctioneer Kevin Frost thinks of Margie and Paul's little collection?

Paul's steamer chair, I'm quite excited about selling that one.

That's my favorite of the items.

The ball with the box of matches.

I mean, it's got mystical powers, apparently.

It certainly made me feel a bit funny when I first saw it.

If I was a betting man, I would like to put my money on Margie's goods making more money today.

VO: Well, that should keep the chaise longue crowd interested.

Starting off with Paul's Belle Epoque card tray.

It is my strongest lot.

Yeah, it is.

So, watch this one break even.

Grown man cry.

Don't expect sympathy.

I have several commission bids on this.

Starting straight off at £25.

£25, I have with me.

25.

There's 30.

35 and 40.

Hey.

That's just break even, though.

50.

55?

55.

60.

65?

£60, with me, on commission, at £60.

He is still on commission.

Come on, bid again!

62.

Now in the room at £62.

And selling at £62... That's alright.

Small profit.

That bodes alright, yeah, yeah, yeah.

VO: Spoken like a true seer.

Now, what about your lamp with absolutely no provenance, Paul?

This one was on the Titanic.

Oh, get off!

This was on the Titanic.

Why is it not on here?

Just the small matters of legality!

You know, the Trade Descriptions and all that.

I have got a bid on this, straight in at £12.

£12, I only have on the book.

12.

14.

16.

18.

20.

22?

£20, I have with me.

At 20.

22?

22.

Oh, no, no.

I told you.

It's a brass lamp.

They don't get it.

They don't get it.

25, anywhere?

25.

28.

To the lady, at £28.

30, anywhere?

30, anywhere?

Selling at £28... That's really, really unfortunate!

BOTH: (LAUGH) VO: Oh, control yourself, Margie!

But it all helps.

Thank goodness we've got each other.

Yeah, because you're a big consolation, laughing in my face!

Her elephants might just wipe that smile off, though.

Slightly damaged on one of them, unfortunately.

MARGIE: Shut up!

PAUL: That's a bit harsh.

Start this one at £12.

14, anywhere?

14.

16.

18?

£16, I have.

At 16.

18, anywhere?

18.

20.

£20.

22, anywhere?

22, anywhere?

At 22.

Now in the room at...

It's creeping.

It's creeping.

It's creeping.

It's not near the price...

The lady's bid at £22... VO: An even bigger loss, although hardly jumbo.

Hoo!

I've never done so badly on a trip.

It's all your fault.

What do you mean?

You're employing dark forces now.

You've got witchcraft involved in your battle campaign.

VO: Yes, quite.

Now, for Margie's nice matches.

Other brands are available.

Apparently, this witch's ball was given as a free gift.

We are not allowed to sell anything that a witch has given you and I'm not responsible for anything that goes wrong in this saleroom.

Who will give me a tenner?

£10.

You're very cruel.

10?

Thank you, sir.

£10.

Someone he knows!

£10, I have.

At 10.

If you get pregnant, it's not my fault.

(LAUGHTER) £10, with me.

12?

£12, anywhere?

I will sell it.

Opening bid of £10.

Colin!

You did a very good job there.

Weird.

VO: Yeah, and what's even weirder is that Margie's made a profit!

Well, I wish him luck.

I wish that nice man a lot of luck.

VO: Now for Margie's vases.

Another profit, please.

I've got several commission bids on this, just in at £20.

£20, surely that's got to fetch a lot more than that.

20, 22.

25.

28.

30.

32.

Now in the room at £32.

35.

38.

40.

Yeah, you're alright, it's running.

£40 I have, 45 anywhere?

45 anywhere?

I will sell 'em.

At just £40... 45.

Thank you, sir.

45, 50.

PAUL: He's coming back.

MARGIE: Yeah.

50.

55?

No, £50 at the back now.

We're selling at £50... VO: It's just like the tea leaves foretold.

Time for Paul's other tray, the one Margie thought might make £10.

80 quid?

Ooh, I like the ambition, the optimism.

60?

£40... PAUL: I like that he's trying.

MARGIE: He is trying.

Nobody?

20?

20.

Thank you, Colin.

£20.

This is the dealer man.

£20 I have, at 20.

22 anywhere?

22, 22.

Thank you, madam.

25?

28?

30?

No?

£28 to the lady.

He's trying.

He's trying very hard for us.

Trying to bid it up.

£28... VO: So, a small profit for Paul, which is "tres," "tres" bon.

Ha!

Let's just hope that Margie's star buy pays off.

It's gorgeous.

Now, please, let's... Let's have a result.

I've got a bid on this, in at £30.

Straight in, straight in.

35.

40.

45.

50.

55.

Now in the room at £55, should fetch more.

£55 I have, 60 anywhere?

I will sell it at £55...

Result.

VO: Yet another profit.

Is this the comeback?

# Dah, dah, dah... # It's the witch's ball.

# Dah, dah, dah... # VO: Not off the Titanic, but quite comfy, Paul's steamer chair.

I'm going to start off at £30.

A very nice looking chair, £30 I have.

Oh, straight in at 30.

32.

35.

38.

40.

Still with me at £40.

45.

50.

55?

Now in the room at £55.

I'll take that, I'll take that.

That's alright.

£55 and selling... Well done.

Fair enough.

VO: So, a small profit after auction costs, eh?

VO: Next, Margie's silkwork.

I've got a commission bid on this, in at £30.

Get in!

£30 I have straight in.

£30 I have with me on the book.

30, 32 anywhere?

32 anywhere?

32.

Ah, there you go.

In the room at £32.

Lady's bid at 32.

35 anywhere?

We'll sell it at £32... VO: All sewn up, eh?

Now, do not adjust your sets, you're on telly, Paul.

No, I mean your telly's on...telly.

I wouldn't have a clue about old televisions.

And I'm very proud... See the way you say that!

I'm very proud to say that!

I've got several bids on the books.

Going to start it off at £40.

£40 I have with me, 45.

50.

55.

In the room at £55.

60 anywhere?

Go on.

Come on!

Go on.

60.

65.

Oh, well done!

£65 I have, 65.

70 anywhere?

Selling at £65...

Done it!

214.

VO: A timeless classic, eh?

And a very fine profit, too.

Profits, profits!

MARGIE: Well done.

PAUL: Both made profits.

KEVIN: Happy with that?

MARGIE: Very happy.

PAUL: Total result.

MARGIE: You did very well.

You da man!

VO: So, a good day all round, but Paul has triumphed again.

Margie began with £138.56, and after paying auction costs she made a small profit of £6.88, leaving her with £145.44 to spend next time.

Whilst Paul, who started out with £218.46, made, after paying auction costs, a profit of £30.16, so he now has £248.62 and a lead of over £100.

PAUL: Well?

MARGIE: Not too bad.

What do you mean, not too bad?!

It was, like, eight profits out of 10 purchases.

Eight profits, but you've crept ahead again.

Swine.

PAUL: (LAUGHS) VO: Next time on Antiques Road Trip, hidden treasures, nail-biting deals, and, best of all, firm friends.

The sun's shining, the company could be better...

BOTH: (LAUGH) subtitling@stv.tv