[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts-- What a job.

NARRATOR: --with 200 pounds each-- You with me?

NARRATOR: --a classic car-- Buckle up.

NARRATOR: --and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

Oh, sorry.

Ha, ha.

NARRATOR: The aim, to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners-- Yes.

NARRATOR: --and valiant losers.

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

Have a good trip.

NARRATOR: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

[MUSIC PLAYING] MAN: Yeah.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Well, here we are.

It's the fifth and final leg of the road trip with silver expert Margie Cooper and militaria mad auctioneer, Paul Laidlaw.

How are you, my friend?

Perishing, Margie.

Are you listening?

Just forget your cold.

Pull over and give me a big hug.

NARRATOR: Well at least it's still warm in their hearts even if it's cold in the car.

Have you noticed anything about the car?

Have you sold the other one, and managed to buy a cheaper one, and this is augmenting your profits?

It's going to be at the next auction.

NARRATOR: Yes, there's been a quick swap.

It's still a Morris Minor 1,000 convertible, but it's from 1958.

And with a 48 horsepower engine racing.

Why say horsepower?

It depends on how big.

It's like ten little horses with short legs.

You'd need more of them.

So it's like a word come from the past?

Yes.

A bit like us.

Horsepower.

I said us, I meant you.

NARRATOR: That's not very gallant.

From her original 200 pounds, Margie begins today with 410 pounds and 62 pence.

Paul won the last auction, and now has 598 pounds and 74 pence.

Hey, we've done well.

I mean, seriously.

But you Still ahead, my dear.

Sorry, pardon?

- You're still ahead.

- Pardon?

You're still ahead.

Oh, it's fantastic.

Can you text me that?

Well, we've got-- well, we've got another load of buying to do.

NARRATOR: Indeed, you have.

Our past road trip kicked off in Hemswell Cliff, in Lincolnshire.

They've yumped around Yorkshire, mooched around the Midlands, and they'll be selling in Shrewsbury.

Today, they're aiming for that auction in Shropshire, but they're kicking off the day in Wootton Wawen, in Warwickshire.

These are our last days.

I know.

Last Days of buying.

NARRATOR: So while Margie drives on, Paul's first stop is to check out the wares in Sims Vintage.

Hello, is it Phil?

It is.

Good to see you.

Hi, Paul.

I like the look of this place.

NARRATOR: Positive and upbeat as ever Mr. Laidlaw.

Let's get to work shall we.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I'm not usually one to pick up vintage toys, but this one has my attention.

And that, surely you recognize, is a little miniature pistol.

Yeah.

Would you reckon 1950s Cowboys and Indians?

No.

Victorian.

Proper antique.

No, why don't we go Tudor.

Tudor.

One of the oldest things I've picked up this road trip.

And it dates, indeed, to the time of William Shakespeare.

And there is a little vent, or touch hole, there and the theory is that you could say, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, give me some powder, give me some powder.

And he goes, OK, you be careful.

Your mother will murder me if you burn yourself.

And you get a few grains of powder, and you pop it in there.

I'm a wee mad.

You can go-- [LAUGHS] Look at me.

I'm Frances Drake.

Got you.

Now, price tag on this?

You're wondering.

Antique pistol at 175 pounds.

NARRATOR: Well, thankfully, we're not allowed to entertain the kids like that anymore.

But it's still a possible purchase for Paul.

Let's see how Margie's getting on shall we.

She's on her way to the town of Middleton, in Warwickshire hoping to get some bargains of her own.

Yeah, well, I'd love to find something hidden that would completely trounce Laidlaw, but I'm getting there.

I'm getting there.

NARRATOR: Well, let's discover what's hidden in Meadow View Antiques .

Here to give her a hand is owner, Mike.

Good morning, Mike.

Oh, dear.

NARRATOR: Not that hand, the other one.

Oh, not too serious, I hope.

No, it's just an operation on me hand.

Oh, right.

Right, so here, an eclectic mix.

We specialize in rare items.

So you'll see probably things you haven't seen.

Right.

NARRATOR: Like these little Victorian shoes perhaps.

Are they a-- what, like, an apprentice thing?

Yeah, I think so.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: Little shoes like these were often made by Victorian cobblers, at the end of their apprenticeship, before they were allowed to start making the adult versions.

Let's take a closer look, shall we.

Oh, look at those little things.

So what sort of money are those?

I've got 48 on them.

I could do you for 30.

Right.

Well, I've only just arrived so can I have a little think.

You carry on.

You're moving in the right direction, Mike.

Yeah.

Down.

NARRATOR: OK, so that's a Margie maybe.

Paul also had a miniature maybe with his pistol, but what else has he seen?

This beautifully crafted Chinese white metal mug has a ticket price of 25 pounds.

White metal is the term used for unhallmarked silver.

This is a South Asian piece.

There are numerals scratched on the bottom-- jewelers marks.

So someone cared enough back in when, the late 19th and early 20th century, to have that looked at.

I think it is what I want it to be.

It's a nice piece of Indian, Burmese, or Siamese silver.

Sweet isn't it?

I like it.

Let's go have a word with Phil.

How you doing, Phil?

Hello.

I have been busy.

OK. We'll talk to that in a moment.

Yes.

In one of the cabinets, one of your chaps does military material and some archaeological.

Yes.

And he's got some antique toy pistols.

The pistolets.

The pistolets.

Yes.

A 165 quid a pop.

It's me.

NARRATOR: It's him.

It's you.

It's me.

You dark horse, you were keeping that.

Are you buying them cheap or no?

I just fell in love with them to be honest.

I feel they're great.

Cool as hell.

Yeah, and I just imagine some child all those 300 years ago put in a bit of shot or something, and shooting the cat.

It's fantastic.

Definitely.

[LAUGHTER] Don't shoot it by the cat.

Not for the cat, no.

NARRATOR: We should assure all our viewers no historical cats were harmed in the making of Phil's imagination.

I could go to 120 on one of those.

I don't know where that leaves it for you.

We're still at three figures.

Entirely too dear at auction.

I'd bid 50 quid on them.

Oh.

Yeah, that's what I mean.

I could do 70.

Could you?

Yeah, I do a 70 on them.

PAUL: Can we pack that?

PHIL: We can.

NARRATOR: What about that little Chinese, possible South Asian, white metal mug at 25 pounds?

The very best on that would be 15 quid.

Can I offer you 75 for a pistolet and that?

So another tenner off the pistolet-- Yes.

--and the 15 quid for that.

Yes.

NARRATOR: Boom.

That's how you do a deal.

You're a you to do business with my friend.

Thank you, Paul.

NARRATOR: That's Paul.

In like a shot with more than half off the ticket price for the pistolet, and a good saving on the mug too.

Now, is Margie getting on?

She's got a maybe with the kids shoes.

Anything else?

I'll tell you what I do like, but it's a fortune.

What's that?

That.

MIKE: The Titanic?

No.

The zebra.

MIKE: Oh, the zebra.

MARGIE: Yeah.

NARRATOR: This child's toy has a 125 pound ticket price.

It's probably late Victorian or early Edwardian, and its clever rocking motion is a testament to the toy maker's craft.

MARGIE: You could make a baby go to sleep watching that.

Couldn't you.

I like his movement.

It's unbelievable.

I could watching it.

Look at that.

I'm getting hypnotized.

NARRATOR: You're not the only one.

Feeling a bit drowsy myself.

Oh, go on.

How much is it then?

How much do you want to pay for it?

I'd probably offend you.

Yeah.

Like 50 quid.

What I'll do for you, I do you for 75.

And while we're here.

MIKE: Yes.

MARGIE: What is the very, very best on those little diddy shoes?

NARRATOR: Oh, Sorry.

The shoes.

I was miles away there.

I'll tell you what I'll do.

If I did the shoes and this.

Yeah.

For 100 pound.

Yeah.

You've got a good deal.

MARGIE: So 90 wouldn't buy the two, as friends?

95.

Oh, gosh.

All right, go on.

I'm not going to argue with you for a fiver.

No.

I was going to shake that poorly hand, but I'll shake that one.

But you can shake that one instead, yeah.

NARRATOR: I think a big hand for Margie.

That was a good bit of negotiating.

60 pounds off the zebra to get it for 75, and more than half price off the shoes to get them for 20 pound.

Paul, meanwhile, has now made the journey, to cross Warwickshire, to the little town of Alcester.

He's heading for the most excellently named plastic cutter.

I bet his home is a bit like that too.

Hello there, is it Vicky?

It is, yes.

Hello Vicky, I'm Paul.

Nice to meet you, Paul.

Thank you, very much.

Pleasantly high street you're parked on.

It's lovely.

NARRATOR: With the pleasantries out of the way, it's time to hunt down some antiques.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I am no musician.

It's the truth of the matter.

But I feel good about the instrument I have in my hand.

A small oboe.

This is turned Ebony.

And these are German silver mount, and nickel alloy.

NARRATOR: This lovely little oboe is made by Buffet at Paris.

A name which still exists in music shops today as Buffet and Crampon, but Crampon didn't get in on the act until the 1830s.

So this must predate that.

The reed is missing, but it's replaceable.

I like what I see.

And I've got a vintage.

Instruments are highly collectible.

To be used and restored.

So what's that worth?

In any auction, it'd actually be worth 40 to 80 pounds.

NARRATOR: Depending, of course, on who's at the auction.

Price-- eight.

And there are some price tags you just don't haggle over.

Vicky, can we just put that to one side?

That is sold.

Lovely, thank you.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: No haggling.

That's rarer on this show than Phillip Serrell in a good mood.

What else might be rare in here?

It was an elegant object.

I suspect this is for the dining table.

After dinner, the ladies, of course, have withdrawn to the drawing room, and the gentlemen remain with the brandy and cigars.

I think this is a cigar lighter.

NARRATOR: This rather ornate and elegant little set up has a reservoir for oil in the middle, a wick, and two vessels for holding little tapers, called spills, which you used for transferring the flame from the wick to your cigar.

And I'm sitting around here.

I say old chap.

Yes.

Get my little spill.

Take a light from the wick, and then there you go.

And chew the cut.

I say, what are they giving news from the front, old chap?

It's darn bad.

Is it not?

NARRATOR: This is late Victorian, early Edwardian, and made from silver plate.

No condition issues.

Lovely form.

A rich object.

What's the price tag?

18 pounds.

Doesn't sound expensive.

I think I'd like to buy it.

Let's go see what Vicky has to say.

Vicky.

Paul.

One wee lighter plate.

I think it's a cigar lighter.

And it's priced at 18 pounds.

Any slack in the place of that?

Possibly.

OK, well are we 8 pounds for the instrument?

Yeah.

That comes to 26 the pair.

20 pound the pair on these?

I could do 22.

Let's do 22.

Fabulous.

Easy, Vicky.

Fantastic.

Great.

I better give you some money.

That'd be great.

NARRATOR: So, ticket price for the oboe and 4 pounds off the cigar lighter.

Another brisk bit of business from Paul.

Meanwhile, Margie is off on a West Midlands magical mystery tour to Coleshill.

To investigate the story of a man often seen in places like this with a notebook in his hand.

And she's picked up a passenger, Steve Corthray, to tell her more.

This is all a bit of a mystery.

And I'm getting more and more excited.

NARRATOR: This is the Ladywalk Nature Reserve.

A 100 acre site that used to be part of the Hams Hall Estate.

But in 1971, volunteers at the West Midlands Bird Club, like Steve, turned it into the bird watchers paradise it is today.

214 species of birds have been recorded here.

I my special scarf on for you.

Yeah, I saw that.

That's actually a flamingo.

Yeah.

So you've actually brought a new species down to the reserve.

NARRATOR: So make that 215.

Ladywalk Reserve is just one of hundreds of bird watching sites across the UK that thousands of us flock to every week.

But all of this, arguably, wouldn't have been possible without this man, Thomas Buick.

Born in 1753, he initially worked as an engraver, but then this keen nature lover made a discovery that revolutionized the World Book illustration and created bird watching as we know it today.

They used to work with wood.

Yeah.

And etch a design into the wood, and then print from that design.

But the beautiful thing that he did, he found that by using a hard wood such as teak-- Yeah.

--and cutting across the grain, he could get a finer detail.

And, hence, once he printed, the detail and the pictures were so much better.

NARRATOR: Buick already had an amazing talent for detailed sketches of birds, and he realized he could turn these into high quality detailed illustrations at a low cost.

So in 1797, Buick authored and illustrated his first book, A History of British Birds.

And it set the mold for all bird watching books since.

And up in his height here, Steve has some examples of Buick's eye for detail to show Margie.

Now, Margie, these are a selection of Thomas's pictures.

Yeah, and aren't they beautiful.

What fine detail.

STEVE: It is isn't it.

NARRATOR: This sketch is of a bittern.

There are now reckoned to be less than 100 breeding pairs in the UK.

One of the few places you can regularly see them is here at Ladywalk Reserve.

But this illustration also shows how much of Buick's style has influenced the modern bird guide.

It would include the scientific name, which is also done today, and grouped the birds into species.

MARGIE: Right.

STEVE: And you can see that when you compare it to the modern day book.

MARGIE: Yes.

STEVE: A picture of the bittern, similar angle, but also pictures of birds in flight how you'd see them.

NARRATOR: Even in the 21st century, illustrations are still preferred over photos to show bird's features.

Buick's intricate, detailed drawings set the standard, which is still followed today.

And in the 19th century, It also changed the public's attitude to birds.

This was used, not only by natural historians, but it was an affordable book.

So lots of people could get it and identify the birds.

The Birds on the local ponds, birds in the garden.

They populized that-- the hobby of bird watching.

MARGIE: Yeah.

And people wanted you to go and see the birds, not to shoot them, but to watch them.

Hence conservation has come on and evolved because of the early work that he's done.

NARRATOR: And Ladywalk is a fine example of the conservation that Buick's work inspired.

Time to grab a pair of bins for a spot of twitching Margie.

Right, here you go.

Have a look out, and-- Yeah.

STEVE: -- tell me what you see.

MARGIE: Oh, what was that?

STEVE: There's a Heron.

That's a gray Heron.

MARGIE: Yeah.

NARRATOR: And Thomas Buick's legacy lives on in other ways too.

His history of British birds is the favorite book of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre.

And he inspired the poets Wordsworth and Tennyson to mention him in verse.

And very fittingly, both the Swan and Wren were named after him.

But it's the popularity of bird watching that is his greatest legacy.

MARGIE: What are those black swans there?

STEVE: Those a Cormorants.

MARGIE: Are they?

STEVE: They actually breed on the reserve.

Steve, I can see it gets addictive.

STEVE: It is, very.

But unfortunately, I'm off antique hunting.

I've got to keep going.

You've got a full-time job, haven't you.

Yes.

NARRATOR: Well, that concludes today's action for our dynamic duo of old birds.

You said that you fancy the curry, then.

Curry, you fancy?

I'll do whatever you want.

Oh, really?

Yeah, as long as you haven't bought any militaria.

NARRATOR: Best not mention that pistol then, Paul.

Enjoy your curry.

Nighty-night.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Rise and shine, or maybe rise and rain.

It's time for the final day's buying on this road trip.

What a miserable day for our last buying day together.

Mind you, it's cozy.

Just me and you.

Steaming up those windows.

For all the wrong reasons.

NARRATOR: Like the car not having air conditioning, aye.

Let's remind ourselves what they bought yesterday.

Margie has two lots.

The vintage rocking zebra toy and the 19th century kids leather shoes.

Oh, look at those little things.

NARRATOR: Margie has 315 pounds and 62 pence for the rest of the day.

Paul has four very different lots.

The Victorian cigar lighter, the French oboe, the Anglo-Indian cup, and the Elizabethan toy pistol.

Leaving him with 501 pounds and 74 pence to spend today.

MARGIE: So you had a full day buying, didn't you?

I've bought from the 16th century to the 20th.

MARGIE: Oh, for goodness sake.

Can you believe it?

The British Museum have expressed interest already, but they're having to vie against a-- If you're not going to be sensible, I'm not going to talk.

NARRATOR: Looks like a quiet journey then.

And for Margie, the journey is going to be all the way to the beautiful, but damp, historic town of Warwick.

The castle here dates back to the Norman conquest, but let's see what our Margie can conquer today.

Good luck with the rain Margie.

I hope it's a long walk to your shop.

I think it's going to stop.

I'm sure it's going to stop.

All right, see you later, Margie.

[MUSIC PLAYING] PAUL: OK, I have abandoned Margie to the rain and the shops.

Is she going to go all chips in, or be couth?

I don't know.

[INAUDIBLE] NARRATOR: We're watching.

Margie's first stop is Warwick Antique Center.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I really like those.

They're like, little-- little liqueur glasses there, in the box.

Really nice.

But have you spotted anything?

One of the glasses is broken.

What a shame.

The silver is continental.

Maybe Dutch or French.

You see them quite a lot, but they're really very nice things.

NARRATOR: These six lovely little Dutch liqueur glasses have a ticket price of 75 pounds, but what can Margie get these little babies For Right, these have caught my eye, George.

I can't forget your name.

I have got a cat called George.

NARRATOR: Nice tactic, Margie, comparing him to a much loved pet.

He's called Boy George.

Well, he's no longer.

He's died now.

But he's got a headstone in my garden.

Just by the by.

NARRATOR: Uh, well, that's nice.

Thank you.

One of the glasses does need a replacement.

It's not the end of the world, but it's just hassle.

It's hassle for anybody.

Could I buy those for 48 pounds?

No, I couldn't do 48 pounds.

55 for the set.

55.

And if I do buy them, have you got any silver polish?

- I can get some for you.

- Can you?

Yeah.

So well, I'll tell you what, if you'll clean them for me, I'll make a decision now.

And say, yes.

OK. NARRATOR: It's a deal.

55 pounds and some free elbow grease for the glasses set.

Now, what else can Margie get some free labor on?

Hello, Margie.

Hi.

We've just had these in from another dealer.

I don't know if you'd like to have a look at these, but they're all silver.

Are you shopping?

Been out to the shops?

Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, where we going then?

Oh my goodness, what we got here?

Oh, silver.

So this gentleman is selling this, sort of, as a job lot?

As a job lot.

Yeah.

I'm sure he'd sell individual items.

Right.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: Luckily, the shop's owner, Colin, can act on behalf of the dealer.

So is there any particular bit there that you like?

Yeah.

I think that's saleable.

I don't think that's a scrapper.

Is it?

Yeah.

NARRATOR: She spotted an art deco cigarette case.

Not so fashionable nowadays, but it is silver gilt inside.

I'll call it 30 quid.

Here, give a handshake there.

Oh, go on.

I'm too weary.

I'm weary.

NARRATOR: That's 30 for the case, and 55 for the glasses.

Making the spend in here 85 pounds.

Paul, meanwhile, has traveled to Coventry.

The UK's Motor City.

He's come to the city's transport museum to find out about Coventry's pivotal role in the story of another form of transport, the humble bicycle.

Here to show him around is curator Megan Nass.

Hello, Megan.

Yes, Paul, nice to meet you.

Likewise.

NARRATOR: The first bicycle, seen here, was the hobby horse.

Invented in Germany around 1817.

But it's this French velocipede, or bone shaker, from 1868 that kick started Coventry's cycle industry.

Rally B. Turner, who was one of the cycle pioneers in Coventry, he was living and working in Paris.

And he noticed the locals riding around on these machines called velocipedes, and he just thought, that's a great thing.

And so he brought one back from Paris to Coventry to his uncle's sewing machine factory.

So it was Rally B. Turner that persuaded his uncle, and James Starley to start producing these velocipedes.

NARRATOR: From Coventry, James Starley and his co-partner, Josiah Turner, made the uncomfortable velocipede practical and salable.

But Stanley realized that to increase speed, the front pedals needed to power a larger wheel.

So in 1871, the first penny-farthing called the aerial, was made in Coventry.

How was this an improvement on the velocipede?

We have the addition of wire spokes as opposed to the wooden spokes.

We also noticed that it was probably a little bit more of a smoother ride with the solid rubber tires.

And then also, the addition of the braking system on the back there.

These look precarious.

I imagine it's difficult to mount up, difficult to stop, and just dangerous all round.

Yeah, I think it would have been.

And it would have really-- the penny-farthing would have really only suited athletic men.

Hey.

We can make this happen.

NARRATOR: And here is a suited, athletic man.

My, what is that?

A period specimen?

Absolutely.

This is 1885.

And she was made here, in Coventry, by the singer company.

But she's a fine example.

So how difficult is it to get on one of those?

NARRATOR: I think the answer is very difficult, Paul, but Simon is going to give you a hand.

Go ahead.

Tell my kids I love them, yeah no.

My wife as well.

And there we go.

I assumed the position.

Yes, absolutely.

A very straight back.

NARRATOR: You look as if you were born to ride that, Paul.

This is petrifying.

Seriously, it looks high up from down there.

Oh, you're a long way up.

Up here, you look like ants.

To be quite frank.

NARRATOR: But can Paul get off again?

penny-farthing were notorious for toppling while stationary so most people jumped off them while they were still moving.

And I'm just going to-- And then down off the bike.

Well done.

I felt I was better on the way down, than up.

Very good, very good.

And this is how we would mount and-- Properly.

So one, two, three.

And off into the sunset.

Just another day at the museum.

So we have certainly done the penny-farthing.

Yes.

But where do we go from here?

NARRATOR: We go to this next bike.

The Rover safety bike.

So-called because it was safer than the iconic penny-farthing Farthing.

This humble looking bike would sell millions around the world, changing cycling forever, and set the blueprint for all modern bicycles.

All from a factory right here in Coventry.

PAUL: That is a bike as I know it.

It is.

John Kemp Starley, who is the nephew of James Starley This was his 1888 version.

It seems very modern for 1888.

It does.

NARRATOR: John Starley came up with several new features that are still around today.

Same sized wheels, a chain drive, and he had a recent invention John Dunlop's pneumatic tire.

The journey from the hobby horse to the modern bicycle was complete.

And by the mid-20th century, the bike was the most popular form of transport in the world.

All Thanks to the sewing machine pioneers of Coventry.

And it wasn't long before those pioneers that made Coventry the world capital of bike making would also start Britain's car industry.

Speaking of which, it's time for Paul to get back on the road.

Look at that.

I don't think you'll get Margie on the back of that, Paul.

With Paul left Messing around on the penny-farthing, Margie is still on a march to the joint last shopping destination, beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon.

Birthplace of our national bard, William Shakespeare.

She's first to Bond's Antiques, where she's going to be helped out by the lovely Richard.

Shall we wander together?

Let's wander.

Oh, so let's wander.

NARRATOR: So the final shop.

What can she snaffle away before Paul gets here?

Ooh, what's that?

Yeah, is that a pill holder thing?

Looks like a pill holder, doesn't it?

Yeah.

Hey, I want so see what it said.

Cuban cigar mold.

[LAUGHS] We're both wrong.

NARRATOR: This cigar mold, or [NON-ENGLISH] as it's known is, as the name suggests, for molding the cigars into the right shape.

This one was made in Berlin.

The ticket price is 50 pounds.

Does it smell?

Yeah, I can.

Or am I just dreaming?

Can you do it, but I can smell it a bit.

I remember my grandpa.

You can a bit, and there's some staining.

Look.

You can see where they've been sitting.

Yeah, yeah.

My grandpa used to smell like that.

I really like it.

So what do you think price wise?

I mean smoke related items, I mean it's a bit sort of in the past.

Piece of social history, yeah.

Social history.

Yeah.

Decorative object, isn't it, now.

NARRATOR: The cigar mold belongs to a dealer, but Richard has permission to negotiate on his behalf.

So is he open to a little bit of an offer?

Well, go on.

Make this offer.

Well, I was thinking like 35 quid.

I was going to try and get you to around 40.

Well, if he'd drop a tad under 40, I'll buy it.

What'll you do, 38?

- Yeah.

- OK. - Done.

- Deal.

- Definitely having that.

- Yeah.

NARRATOR: Well done Margie.

12 pounds off the cigar mold.

Perfect timing too as the flying Scotsman has just pulled up outside.

Now, what can Paul find in here that could bring a tidy profit at auction?

If you are paying any attention, a few auctions ago you'd have seen me sell one of these for huge profit.

This is a patent hot water jug by W. A. S. Benson.

See if you don't know what you're looking at, it's just loosely arts and crafts lidded jug.

But if you know to have a look there, there's a mark that says Benson's Patent.

What's the price on that?

34 pounds.

You think we can be lucky twice?

I don't know.

Worth asking.

We'll bank that one for now.

Wonder what Margie would think.

NARRATOR: With nothing else catching Margie's eye, she's at a bit of a loose end.

My dear, are you stalking me Margie?

Have you anything to buy?

I'm just trying to-- If you need a hand, just ask.

I'm just trying to find out what you're interested in.

To see what I put down.

I'll leave you honey.

NARRATOR: Oh, just ignore her, Paul.

You'll only encourage her.

Now, about that pot.

Let's see what Richard can do.

It's a got 34 pound on it.

Is there wiggle room in this?

It's got to be high 20s.

How high?

28.

Absolute max.

28 quid.

This is food for thought.

All right.

NARRATOR: Still time to keep looking, Paul.

Provided you're not distracted at it.

Paul.

Whee, I'm getting good.

And I'm getting better.

I'm getting better.

She's cracked up.

Have you forgotten to take your medication today?

I'll take it back.

Excuse me.

Oh wait a minute, I've got it.

I'm in a nightmare.

Oh, let's go road tripping with Margie.

NARRATOR: Right, time for Margie to get off the scooter and Paul to get on his bike.

Richard.

Hi, how you doing?

Truth be known, I made a lot of money on one of these.

OK. A last good example a few auctions ago.

Think I'm going to be lucky twice?

Let's hope so.

- We're committing anyway.

- Yeah.

Got 28 pound.

Get it done.

Excellent.

NARRATOR: Hooray!

That's the last buy of this road trip.

Off to auction next if road trips odd couple are still talking, that is.

Get in the car Margie.

I can't.

It won't open.

NARRATOR: And, if they can ever get to auction.

Let me abandon you here.

It won't open.

I've had enough Margie.

I've had enough of this.

You think we're taking this seriously enough Margie?

MARGIE: I'm not so sure we have.

NARRATOR: Time for some shut eye.

We're off to Shrewsbury, in the County of Shropshire, for our final auction.

And Hall's Fine Art is the venue for our last showdown between Paul and Margie.

Oh, no.

This is it, Margie.

I know.

Last.

What have you bought?

Are you going to do this?

Yeah.

Open Sesame.

That's not how it works.

NARRATOR: Margie has spent big with 218 pounds, exactly, on five auction lots.

Whereas parsimonious Paul has only spent 125 pounds, also on five lots.

But are they worried by each other's purchases?

He's done it again, I think.

Eight pounds.

Well, he can't lose, can he?

An old musical instrument with a good makers name on it.

There's only one way, and that's up.

This worries me.

And I think it's going to make eyes at people in the room.

And I think this old chap here could gallop away at north of 120 pounds, and that would be bad news for me at the final hurdle.

NARRATOR: We'll see, shall we?

Jeremy Lamond is our auctioneer.

What does he think might sink or swim in today's sale?

Little continental silver mounted case-- that liqueur glasses.

Nice presentation case, but one glass is cracked and that's going to hold them back, because they're difficult, probably, to sell on in that condition.

I think the riskiest buy might be the Anglo-Indian cup, because it is a white metal one.

And they're not rare particularly so I think that's a pretty tricky buy.

NARRATOR: It's a full house and the online bidders are ready to go.

So for the last time this trip, let's auction.

Shall we?

It's the last time we're going to pack our bags and sit next to one another in an auction room, Margie.

I know.

I hate goodbyes.

I really do.

Can I say goodbye now?

Bye.

NARRATOR: Could this be a goodbye now?

Paul's Elizabethan toy pistol.

Good luck.

Shadows.

30 pounds, 30 is bid down here immediately.

At 30, I'll take 5.

35 internet.

Isn't that something?

40, at 40 pounds.

At 40 it is.

5 Internet.

At 45 pounds, that is online.

Anybody else?

At 45 pounds.

I'm selling it online at 45. Who else then at 45?

Last chance, 45.

Do you know what, that's all right.

You sure?

Could have made 20.

That's all right, it's close enough.

I can stand that.

NARRATOR: That didn't exactly go with a bullet.

Did it?

Oh, Margie that's very keen.

You're loving it.

Aren't you?

No.

NARRATOR: Well, let's see if the Dutch liqueur glasses give Margie anything to celebrate.

At 15, 15, 15, 20, 25, 30, 30 in the room.

At 30, 5 internet, 40 internet, 45 internet, 50 internet.

5 internet.

60, 60 pounds.

The bids online at 60 or out in the back.

That's 60 pounds I'm going to sell online, then.

At 60, last chance.

60 pounds.

How can you be disappointed?

That's on the healthy profit margin?

I was hoping for a teeny bit more.

NARRATOR: You need to be more glass half full Margie.

It's a profit.

I'll swap you my loss for your profit.

NARRATOR: Next, it's Paul's Anglo-Indian white metal mug.

15 pounds.

Who'll start?

10 then.

10 pounds, only 10 is bid at the back.

At 10 pounds now, I'll take 15 if you like.

15, 20, at 20 pounds it is.

At 20 pounds.

At 20.

Bid is in the room now.

20 pounds.

5 if you want.

At 20 pounds.

It's here at the back of the room and selling at 20.

Do surprise me.

NARRATOR: Well, his mug isn't running over, but it is still Paul's first profit.

JEREMY: There is no lot.

77.

Lot 78.

NARRATOR: Well, you can at least laugh.

This is Margie's silver cigarette case.

I don't know why I bought.

I'm just going to be quiet.

Do you know what?

I think maybe you'll make money on this.

20, 20s good online.

I'll take 5.

20 pounds.

Who's got 5?

20 pounds.

At 20 it is then.

Maiden bid of 20 pounds.

All finished at 20 pounds.

Anybody else in the room at 20?

Should I tell you something?

You deserve that.

NARRATOR: Oh, don't be so hard on yourself, Margie.

Where was I?

Where is my brain?

JEREMY: As you like it.

Did you leave it in the little glass beside in your bed and forget to-- No, that's me teeth.

NARRATOR: Now, it's the Benson jug.

20, 15 pounds.

He's not making any more, you know.

15, 15 I've got on the internet already.

20, at 20 pounds.

I'll take 5.

At 20 pounds.

At 20 it is.

Going to sell then at 20 pounds.

Quite sure it's 20.

It's not your day, is it?

NARRATOR: Proof that lightning never strikes in the same place twice.

But it makes people realize it's very hard, this day.

NARRATOR: Hopefully, that's not going to be the case with your miniature shoes, Margie.

I'm dying to know what they fetch.

20 pounds for the kid leather shoes.

20 is bid.

At 20 pounds.

Bids online at 20, 5.

At 25 pounds.

25 pounds online.

At 25, 30 in the room.

At 30 pounds it is.

30 pounds against you online.

At 35, 40, at 40 pounds in the room.

5, Internet bid at 45.

I'll take 50 anywhere.

At 45 pounds.

All finished at 45.

NARRATOR: Another profit for Margie.

But they were lovely, weren't they.

No, they were horrible.

NARRATOR: Let's see if Paul's luck changes with the cigar lighter.

And I can start here at 20 pounds.

At 20, 20, 5, 30.

At 30 pounds I've got already.

30 pounds it is.

At 30.

At 30 pounds.

5, just in time internet.

40 with me.

At 40 pounds.

Go again if you like.

At 40 pounds.

Selling to a commissioned bid at 40 pounds.

NARRATOR: Well, that's turned your frown upside down, Paul.

A Tidy profit.

This is close, this, wasn't it, this auction.

NARRATOR: It's close, but no cigars.

Just a cigar mold.

10, down here.

10 pounds.

10, 15 where?

At 10 pounds for the Cuban cigar old.

Maiden bid then.

1 and only bid, in fact, at 10 pounds.

Bombed, I've bombed.

You're pleased, aren't you?

I am, but you know what, I couldn't be happier.

NARRATOR: You cad, Paul.

Unlucky, Margie.

Thank goodness it was sold.

NARRATOR: Next, Paul's French oboe.

Will it go for a song?

Ask me how much I'd like it to make.

Go on then.

A gazillion.

Start me at 20 pounds then.

20 to go for the oboe.

20 pounds, the Buffet, 20 is bid.

Internet bidder.

20-- Blow it all the way up-- 5 if you like.

At 20 pounds I've got.

20.

This was my bacon.

Anybody else then?

Quite sure.

20 pounds.

Selling at 20.

Do we know what we're doing?

NARRATOR: I do sometimes wonder.

It's not been a great day for Paul.

I would have liked a little bit more.

Did I say I would like a little bit-- I would like a little bit more?

NARRATOR: It's the final furlough of the road trip.

Will the Victorian toy zebra bring a grandstand finish?

It's a huge gamble for me.

And it's the end.

It's our last item.

So here we have 15 pounds.

Bid at 15.

At 15 it is.

At 15, 15 pounds.

15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40.

Commissioned bids are out.

40 pounds is bid.

At 40 over here.

Selling then at 40 pounds.

All done at 40 in the room.

Anymore?

- Took a gamble.

- Wait a minute.

Wait a minute.

I'm not good at acting.

Oh, Margie.

Oh, no.

NARRATOR: Well, it was fun while it lasted.

Hey, come on, though.

What has this trip been like?

It's been super.

Oh, come on, it's been.

It has.

Who's buying the tea?

You.

Oh.

NARRATOR: I'd wait to hear how much money you've got first, Paul.

Margie began with 410 pounds and 62 pence.

And after salesroom costs, she's made a lot of 74 pounds and 50 pence.

Meaning, she finishes with 336 pounds and 12 pence.

598 pounds and 74 pence was the starting figure for Paul.

After all auction costs, he made a loss too of 6 pounds and 10 pence.

Meaning, he ends up with 592 pounds and 64 pence, making him the winner of this road trip.

Congratulations, Paul, and commiserations, Margie.

All profits go to children in need.

Here we go.

It's over.

Ah, Margie.

Plus, the fat lady sung.

No, I don't hear her sing.

Because this-- but I want to keep going, Margie.

You're my, my best companion.

We're going home.

We're going home.

Let's find the car.

- Can we have a nice tea?

- Yeah.

Curry?

Yeah.

What a week it's been.

From North to South-- So how far is Rotherham from here?

If I knew where here was, I'd tell you, Margie.

NARRATOR: -- there's been a lot of love-- See you, Darling.

See you later.

Lots of little man date nights.

NARRATOR: -- or a lot of rivalry.

Shops.

I'll race you.

NARRATOR: Paul scooped the best moneymakers early in the week.

Profit, and that's what I want.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Until a tunic turned out to be a turkey.

Hey, it's looking good.

NARRATOR: But although Margie won that battle, Paul won the week.

I mean, is that not tremendous?

NARRATOR: But they're still great friends.

You know, I wouldn't have another compadre over yourself.

Well, that's very nice to hear.

NARRATOR: Until next time then, thank you, Margie and Paul.

It's been great.

[MUSIC PLAYING]