Episode 1 Antiques Road Trip

through Northern Ireland to the north-west of England. The

competition starts at Grey Abbey and their experts are making their way

to auction at Belfast. They are driving this sporty little number.

1977, a year before I was born. was five. Five years more of wearing

flares and stupid tank tops the new! With �200 each, therein picturesque

Co down, heading towards their first shopping stop, Grey Abbey. It is

called Grey Abbey because of this stunning 12th century Cistercian

abbey that it was almost completely destroyed just over a century later

by Edward, the younger and less famous rubber of Robert the Bruce. I

wonder if the village is ready for its next innovation. -- invasion.

Good luck, mate. Take your time, look after your money. Do is stop

jumping everywhere, Jonathan. You must be fit. This is quite an

impressive place you've got, quite a nice collective of staff. Jonathan

is a novice on the show and is also buying for a market he doesn't know.

Nothing like taking a chap out of his comfort zone. This is the first

antique shop I have been in outside England. Outside my neck of the

woods. Charles is fantasising about his perfect purchase. I am hoping to

find something that describes history, full of heritage and age.

That is my gameplan, by a genuine antique. Here is a genuine teapot.

Evocative of the neoclassical movement. Feeling a bit peckish? He

is doing this because porcelain normally has a cold, dense feel to

the tooth but this has a softness and warned that points to

restoration. Still, �78, not bad, but the heart is ruling the

commercial mind. I must put it down and walk away. Jonathan is not quite

ready to walk away from his shop. Bridge on the Logan by George Kirk?

Not quite. The Logan is Belfast's first major river. It supported the

ship holding industry in the village and it is on for a mere �20. Work

involved is the same as an oil painting. And images cut onto a

metal plate, Inc is applied and then wiped off so that it remains only in

the engravings. This will be done around 1900, 1910. This is such a

major part of Belfast. 15? 20. It is worth that all day long. 20 quid,

thank you very much. I have gone for something which is Belfast,

identifiable as a Belfast subject, and not a lot of money. I think it's

perfect. �20? Very happy. Across the courtyard, Charles is trying to

sniff out his first bargain. Very Irish in its inspiration. The way it

falls in is so evocative of high Victorian furniture. This late

19th-century mahogany side table has been made in the manner of a Regency

designer who was determined to reform contemporary taste by

interviewing it with the spirit of classical purity. It is on for about

200. That is the top of Charles's budget. We are missing some of the

moulding. It is a gamble at �200. I would probably say, here is �100.

Done deal. Am I being a bit too keen? Yes, you are. Jonathan is on

the hunt for his next lucky purchase. Any paintings? That is the

toilets! Try spending a penny in an antique shop, Jonathan! Charles,

still in shock number two, is in a quandary over his table. -- shop

number two. I like it because it is decorative. Can I take a closer

look? Good idea. You never know what might be hiding underneath. We have

some woodworm and lost to the veneer. Shall we say �75? Good

work, Charles. Down from �200. you take �50 for it? OK. You really

turned the tables on him there! Impressive. In another antique shop,

Jonathan is distracted by something that ticks. It is just goldplated. I

think it's about 1917. It has been warned by amongst others royal navy

divers, Jack Cousteau and of course James Bond. The auction you are

going to, they have a lot of watch collectors. What is the price? I

think I said 85. I would split it with you, 82. I will take it.

Charles who can't drag himself away from Derek's shop. How early do you

think that is? About 1810, 18 20s. �30 to you. Would you take �20 for

it? I would buy them all day long for �20. �25, I will split it with

you. I want 60 and you are having it at 25. Derek, thanks ever so much, I

will buy it. Thank you. What is that cunning look in Charles' I? -- his

eye. I will have a word shortly with you about what we have got. Charles

looks suspiciously pleased with himself. He sold it as a early 19th

century Chinese but it is probably dated from around 1700, 1720. It is

probably about 180 years from what he thinks. I wonder if your

expertise has helped you choose a cheeky winner. Our two young blades

have already brought two items each, now time to crack onto the next

estimation. Ready? Let's go.They are heading south for the fairy,

crossing to Porter fairy on the banks of Strangford Lough. For our

young road trippers, not even paying for the ferry crossing is as

straightforward as it should be. we get a discount? No. It looks like

Charles has met his match. And we are off. Having left Grey Abbey and

taken the ferry to Strangford, they are heading north to Saint Field,

dating back to the early 18th-century, when it was known for

its cornflour and flax mills. Today it is better known for antiques.

With two shops to choose from, our guys decide who goes where. One two,

three. Thank you very much. This might look nice but the prices are a

bit rich for Jonathan. I have just under �100 left and I think, that

looks sweet, but he is asking �248. Not worth looking at. Those prices

do seems steep and it seems like Charles is not having much luck

either. These look to be worst first period, around 1775, that they were

make by -- made by any Tate or a forger based in Paris in the 1880s.

-- made by an imitator. You only know by the feel of the body.

would need �180 for them. If they were real, �3000, �4000, but they

are not. They have not exactly had the luck of the Irish. Time to speed

off to bustling, busy Belfast. Belfast, as I'm sure you know, is

the capital of Northern Ireland. A city which once had the UK's biggest

thread and tobacco factories and home to the historic ship lands

where the last century's most iconic ship was built, the Titanic. While

Charles Swans after see the sights, Jonathan hits the shops. -- swans

off to see the sights. Jonathan is keen to find out items of local

interest with the shopkeeper's help. From a local aspect, there are a

couple of options. Thank you, but I don't want to buy a map. A whole

souvenir industry grew up around Killarney in south-west Ireland.

is a real touristy thing, early 19th century. This is bog oak. Entire

forests lay preserved under Ireland's's many bogs. The lack of

oxygen in waterlogged Pete prevents the natural decay. This gives the

characteristic black colour. Right. Well, that's got a harp on as well.

This is the sort of thing that would sell? I think they would fly out,

yes. Would you do it for �65?What about �68 and we'll have a deal?

that's mine. The luck of the Irish. While Jonathan is on a mission to

spend, spend, Charles is seeing the sights of Belfast. Belfast City Hall

is the city's most iconic building. It was planned when Queen Victoria

gave Belfast city status in 1888. And finally opened in 1906. Today,

it is the civic building of the City council, if you want a register a

birth or death, apply for a wedding licence or even get married, the

City Hall is where you do it. The grandeur. The opulence and we

look around and we can see the ornate plaster work, the wonderful

marble slabs mounted on every wall. It goes up so many tiers. It is like

a big icing cake. Good morning. Good morning.What a

grand staircase you have. Cindy. Welcome to Belfast City Hall.

What do you think of the wonderful building? I think it is incredible.

Cindy, to me, it is so classic of the great Roman past.

The rooms are full of precious antiques and one piece in particular

catches Charles' eye. So this over here to me looks a very, very nice

early 20th century Edwardian come George V mahogany sideboard, but we

all know in the business where it came from, who it belonged to is

everything. It is actually walnut. Right, sorry.

A walnut sideboard, specially commissioned to go on to the

Titanic, to the captain of the Titanic's quarters. It wasn't

finished in time. The ship had sailed. This ought to be resting on

the seabed. Can we value it, Cindy? Well, we have had it valued and over

�100,000. Yeah because of the pedigree, the romance, the drama.

Don't get too carried away by the sideboard, Charles. Remember, there

is still shopping to be done! Jonathan is remaining -- John's

remaining �30 is burning a hole in his pocket. What are these? They are

spirit measures. They would be given out for music festivals.

Londonderry. They are like trophies. Let's hope these juniors were old

enough to drink the shots! They are Birmingham hallmarked. It is a

capital D. 1924 and there is an element of the art decor about it.

This is the rocket sort of thing. sale for �50 for the pair. They are

quite sweet. Early, nice design, and made of silver. Local interest. Url

let me have these for -- you will let me have these for... �30.It is

what I have got left. OK, I will take it. Thank you very much. Job

done. I'm now broke! Asset rich and cash poor.

On the other side of town, the time is running out for Charles. He only

has two items for auction and still has �135 to spend. The pressure is

on. Good afternoon to you, sir. are you? That's pretty, isn't it? I

like that. It is a nice silver bonbon dish. And it is �48. Can

Charles sweet-talk him into a deal? Well, would you take �30 for this?

And that will give me a chance? and I will do you a deal.

between friends. That will give me a great start. You are a good sport.

As Charles wheels and deals, Jonathan spent all his money and is

in the pub enjoying a pint. Lucky blighter!

Charles still has �105 to spend and is following in his old friend's

footsteps. So what we have got here... The province of Ulster.It

is a map of Ulster. Thanks, Charles. Jonathan has told us that. 1676. We

are talking ten years after the Great Fire of London. I like it very

much, Donald. It is the sort of thing much, Donald. It is the sort

of thing that could make �150 or �30. If I bought this, I would have

to spend about �50. To buy it from you? Unfortunately that wouldn't

happen. �90 would be the price on that. I just think it tells a great

story about my journey I have had so far. It is lovely to roll back time

and be adventurous with objects. Could it be that Charles is letting

his heart rule his head again? your hand out and clinch the deal. I

just know that will sell. I really, really know that will sell. I am so

confident. I like it because it tells a story of my trip so far so

I'll buy it. I've only got �15 left, but it doesn't matter. There is a

No point having second thoughts now, Carlos. The buying is over. But have

they bought wisely? With his �200 starter pack, Jonathan blew it all

on two items. He bought a painting of a bridge. He bought an omega

wristwatch and a trinket box and a pair of spirit measures. Charles

only spent �180 of his allowance of �200, but bought four items. The

regency-style mahogany table, a Chinese porcelain mug, possibly from

the early 18 century, a silver bonbon dish and an engraved map of

17th century Ulster. But what do they make of each other's purchases?

I think his biggest loss out of that lot is the map.

The cover at �68. It was a lot of money. If it was �48 I wouldn't have

bought. It. �28, I wouldn't have bought it. �10 maybe. It is boring.

Again he hasn't paid a lot of money for it it is because there is not

many people wanting to buy it. has been a fabulous road trip. Our

two chaps started off in Greyabbey and stopped off in Saintfield before

arriving in Belfast and once again our two experts rolled back into the

city for auction day. Best of luck, Charlie.

You might need it. No, ladies first. After you.

Well, charming. Belfast Auctions first opened its

doors 25 years ago and it sells everything from antiques to

jewellery, furniture and household goods. Perfect therefore for our

boys varied collection. I have been dreading this moment sclament

up is the Owe ming Omega SeaMaster �140. �150. $160. -- �160. Beginners

luck pushes Jonathan into the lead with �78 profit. But how long can it

last? Welcome to the Road Trip. That's a cracking start. Next up is

Charles' it map of Ulster. A gamble at �90. There is a nice map for sale

next. An interesting lot. 20. on, let's go. At �30. A it cheap lot

now at �35. That's one gamble that didn't pay

off and an unwelcome loss to kick-start Charles' auction. Will

Jonathan hold on to his lead with the lucky bog oak trinket box at

�68. I have set the ball rolling t and. Hey guys.I am going to be

complacent from now on? Shouldn't you be paying attention? For

goodness sakes stop talking! You are a fighter, are you? I am a

fighter. At �30. That will teach you two to chat!

Has the Irish bog oak box been sold? It has been sold. How much for,

please, sir? �30. Thank you. But the not so lucky Irish tink et

box made Jonathan a loss of �38 and decimated his lead. Charles is

hoping to redeem himself with his silver bonbon dish. A snip at �30.

need this to pay dividends. Come on! Come on! Let's keep going. �65. �70.

The silver bonbon dish, �70. �40 on that, baby. I'm delighted.

So you should be. That's a �40 profit.

Jonathan is hoping to reclaim his winning streak with these silver

glasses. �30 for the pair. �30. �40. �45. �47. 50. Jonathan is streaking

ahead with another cheeky little profit. Next up Charles' porcelain

mug. A bargain at �25 and more so because Charles was right in dating

it to the early 18th rather than the early 19th century. Come on. Around

1720. An early piece. �30. �40. �45. �47. Another profit, but Charles is

still struggling to claw his way back into the race after such a

heavy loss on the map. It is time for Jonathan's final lot. The

engaving of the Lagan. Has Jonathan been sold down the river? �25. The

bid is at the back at �27. 50. Are we all finished at �27. 50? But it

is enough of a profit to maintain a convincing lead over Charles. Who

made �2. 50 profit. A massive loss, but he is back. He

is bigger. He is better and he won't escape!

Charms a is banking -- Charles is banking everything on his

regency-style table to stay in the race. A steal at �40. �40. �50. �50.

�60. Back now at �70. All finished at �701234 That's -- $70. That's OK.

After my disaster, I proved a point. We are back in business. . It is the

end of the first auction and Jonathan goes into the lead. He

started off with �200 and offering paying it the commission he made a

profit of �18. 29. After commission t Charles has gone

from �200 down to �194. 16, but it is early days yet and anything could

happen. Well 1-0 to me.

It was quite close. It was.And that's how it is going to be

throughout the journey. Ah, fighting talk.

Next up the boys are hitting the antiques trail in Londonderry and

heading off for auction in Omagh. The names of these cities are

familiar because of the troubles, but Northern Ireland has put its

unhappy past behind it. Derry is the country's second biggest city and

the only walled city in the country to survive intact. As a result, it

is known as the Maiden City because its walls were never breached, but

more later. I wonder if the city is ready for its next assault?

That way? That way? That way. Jonathan has �218 to spend. Perhaps

he can pass some of it to Simon. are you? Very good, thank you.

You have got pretty much anything and everything in here.

When a shop is as stuffed as that, where does a chap start? If you look

at the table tops, you don't see above your head. You are not

necessarily looking in the cabinets because there is something in every

single place. Ah, finally something does catch his

eye? It is a pocket watch stand. style is pretty.

Dating from around 1890, the pocket watch stand is a splendid example of

arts and crafts. So you stand this on your mantelpiece and you hang

your pocket watch from the back and the little dial appears and then you

have got a mantle clock and when you go out, take it off, put it your

pocket and put it on the end tft chain.

Just the -- of the chain. Just the job for the man about town.

What is your best on on that? might make you an offer in a minute.

An offer I can't refuse? You probably will!

There are only a few antique shops in this part of Ireland so Charles

is heading south to Derry, towards the village of Lack. Good luck,

Charles. Hello. Nice to see. Good to see you. Welcome to Lack.

I am looking for a bargain. We are going to go upstairs.

I have an interesting piece here. That's a regency. Isn't that nice?I

can do a deal on that one. Paul, is that a face screen? Well, I call it

a fire screen. A fire screen made out of glass may not seem the most

obvious way of protecting ladies from the glare of the fire, but

that's what they were used for in the early 19 th seN th centre

century. This screen would protect the lady's face. Make-up was used to

hide all those imperfections. Steady, Charles. Although make-up

then made of bees backs was prone to running in the heat -- bees wax was

prone to running in the heat. your best price? Rock bottom.

Between friends? �120. Back in Derry, a modest little job, catches

Jonathan's eye. Ladies in the 19th century were too delicate to leave

through books so to protect their gloved hands from becoming soiled by

printing ink they used page turners like these. Suddenly Jonathan spots

something shiny. P- pewter.WM F. They were the world's largest

producer of metal ware in the early 1900s. How much is that chap?

bother looking at the bottom. best price is? �27 and clean it

yourself. �25. You call that haggling, Jonathan? OK, I can do

that. Thank you very much. Just because it

has age and it is a novelty. �4. OK. Two things. There we go.

Thank you very much. Give it some elbow grease. Isn't

that lovely? It scrubbed up nicely Jonathan, like you!

So 2-0 to Jonathan. Down the road in Lack, Charles is stick lacking!

have a delightful gentleman's hat box. It is leather and tooled inside

and here is your hat. Isn't that nice? If you are a gentleman, I

suppose from this period, you would not be seen without a fine top hat

in a wonderful Morocco box like this. How lucky can I be on this,

Paul? 6 65.What I might do, what I might do, I like the hat box very

much and the screen over there. I will buy them both probably with

your blessing for around �120. OK. It doesn't matter. I only ask

the question, you never know. What's the best price if I bought

them both together? �150. I will think about it for a second. Do you

mind? I will think about it. A good dealer buys right away.

Sometimes life is a bit pressurised. 140? As Charles feels the strain,

Paul offers to throw in money given back when the price is agreed on.

will give you �123. Have �3 back. thought Jonathan had finished

shopping in Derry but it seems the rivalry with his old chum is rather

getting to him. I am so competitive with Charlie. Let me see if I can

find what he might buy as well. I will be surprised if he didn't buy

something like this, little silver clock with orange enamel. A portable

timepiece with a struct that hinges out to supported. It dates from

1936. Completely silver apart from the base, ticking away beautifully.

A bit of damage on the top. I think that is rather sweet. I might have

to beat him to it. It was 85.Would you take a little bit on that?

do a fiver less. So it would be 80. Indeed! I can't go around buying

everything that he would buy! But I really like it. Go on, then. That is

it full . . I will leave and never come back. Still in the grip of

competition fever, Jonathan is heading south in search of more

booty. Having three items under his belt is not doing much for his

concentration. Didgeridoos. Never even been to Australia, it just

comes naturally for people like me. After a brief flirtation with a

silver plate, something else catches his eye. Quite a modern glass vase

and I was thinking, there are lots of modern factories that are quite

sellable now. Modern glass is attractive. When it is handmade and

fashionable like this bars it is eminently sellable. This is

something somebody would walk into a department store and buy. It looks

like they did just that! But it should be at least 30 years old.

have got �30 on it. Yes!Would you consider �15? We will go for 15.

Thanks very much. �9 off? Not bad at all. Is he learning the dark art of

haggling? In Derry, Charles is... Hello, haven't we been here before?

I am Charles Hanson, it is great to be here. Are you open to

negotiation? A little bit. You seem like a nice chap. You will only be

able to negotiate if Jonathan has left you anything to buy. This seems

to be some kind of lot. Be in bossing work is very good. Hopefully

it has hallmarks. There they are. Beautifully embossed, heavy. Is that

your price? 345. A little out of your price range, seeing as you only

have �66 to spend! Jonathan is racing off towards an antique shop

in drum Duff. It is a little village in deepest County Fermanagh. Yet it

is proving very hard for him to find. Where exactly are these roads

leading? Are you sure there's an antique shop around here? How are

you? I did not believe my satellite navigation when it sent me here. You

have the most amazing stock. People are pleasantly surprised when they

come in. We'll Jonathan, with only �94 left, find anything he can

afford? Within my budget will I be unlikely to find anything? We will

always try to get into your budget. I will show you a definite bargain.

Within your budget. Where is he taking you, Jonathan? Beautiful,

untouched walnut, Victorian. Would you believe it? A fire screen, just

like Charles court earlier. It looks like a dressing mirror but it has

two sheets of clear glass instead. would be inclined to say it was for

two little stuffed birds. Back then all forms of taxidermy were wildly

fashionable. There is half a moth in here. You won't charge me for that,

will you? We never charge for extras. �80. Where do I get my heart

tablets? Where it -- we shall see at the auction. I wish you luck.

Reunited, the chaps are back on the road and heading south to

Enniskillen, a town whose name is familiar because of its recent

troubled past. These days, though, this picturesque town is better

known for more tranquil pursuits, such as hosting the water ski World.

-- World Cup. What makes this antique shop so special is that it

is also the owner's home. Good morning. Good morning, nice to meet

you. It looks like a home rather than a shop, because it is. David

and Eva Lind actually live here, although they are quite happy to let

people come in for a few hours a day and let people buy their furniture.

I can't afford to hang around because I need to be quick. He will

honour those star treasures. -- on earth. Focus, Jonathan, please.

is rather groovy. People aren't really lying decanters any more but

you have Lou glass over white glass, �69, much less than it would

cost in a department store. I think Charles has spotted something.

like the objects inside. Jonathan, stop looking. Close that door. I

can't go anywhere and there he is. That is a nice little information

box. This soft white stone looks like seafoam, soft when first

exposed but hardened when heat is applied. You would smoke it like

so. What I like so much is the fact that this face is so well carved.

Late Victorian. Look at that skull. Aren't they sweet? Imagine smoking

him. I think they might do quite well at auction. But Jonathan

doesn't see anything in his budget so he is leaving Charles to get on

with it. This is very traditional, nice tray which I hope is 19th

century. It has applied crust border, the whole story and the

etiquette of tea drinking or dining. Back in the late 18th century, all

tea was a treat. It was exotic and expensive, the preserve of the upper

classes, and tea trays were all the rage. It is a snip at �70. My budget

is �66 and my tactics is to buy two items. If I was to give you the

collection of pipes and the tray for �60. David, you are a good man and,

I will think about it for the time being, but that's a really good

offer. Thanks. Thank you David. I will have a think. The fascination

with history, do I or don't I? knows, Charles, will you or won't

you? As Charles delib rates, Jonathan is offer off to visit a

very big house in the country. Welcome to Florence court. Thank you

very much. Jonathan's guide for the day is Martin Story. Florencecourt

House was the seat of the Cole family. I am glad you didn't unleash

one of these on me. Some people suggested an aggressive pointing

towards the driveway. They were won in a bet from a local familiar over

100 years -- family over 100 years ago.

Goodness me. It is an impressive sight, isn't it in William Cole a

peer and politician was given the title earl of Enniskillen in 1889.

Five generations of the family would live here until falling agriculture

prices and falling wage costs made it too expensive to run. It was

given to the National Trust in 1953. This is the library. Isn't this

lovely? It is not unlike mine at home.

It is like a man's room. The family gathered in the library. This would

be a perfect setting for a murder! Even in a grand room, there are

still traces of the cloel family. Such as this -- Cole family such as

this measuring stick in the family. Childrens names, dates and heights

recorded. What is mine? I have got my heels

on. I am about six foot. Well, I like to think anyway.

There is time for a squint upstairs. And this is the countess's bedroom.

The last thing is the chamber pot. Ah-ha. Oh crikey. Who is this chap

then? Gladstone. William Gladstone Prime Minister of

Britain had antagonised many families over his support for Irish

home rule. It threatened their supremacy and this was certainly one

of the more imaginative ways they could express their disapproval, by

urinating on him! That will wipe the smile of his face, won't it? That's

a rare object. Enough of chamber pots, Jonathan has

something more pressing to do!ing Well, this is why on a nice sunny

day you want to have bought all your stuff early! I guess Charlie is not

a bargain. Hello Charles. Welcome back.

The tray I like. I also like on my tray to take away... A nice little

collection of pipes. My offer is �50. I would be very sad

if I turned you away without a deal because you might not make any money

at the auction. So I'm going to deal with you and hope... Are you sure,

David? Yes.It is a very good... is a very good deal.

I really appreciate it. Now, the buying is over, but have they spent

wisely? Charles started this leg down with

�1294. 16 and spent -- �194. 16. A top hat, complete with leather box.

A collection of pipes and a ma mog knee table. -- mahogany table.

Jonathan blew it all on five items. A decorated page turner. A silver

jar. A sweet little enamel clock and filmily, another fire screen. --

finally, another fire screen. But what do the chaps think about each

other's items? There is twoe items I would not touch. -- two items, I

would not touch. One is the glass vase. It is non descript. A mahogany

tray, 19th century made. I didn't like it at all. The fire screen

also, it is really crisp and well carved, but it wouldn't be to my

liking. I hate saying it. I think I'm going

to win! Brave words. But has he spoken too soon?

It has been a fabulous road trip. Our two chaps started off in

Londonderry and stopped off in Lack. Ballinamallard and finally

Enniskillen and now it is time for Charles and Jonathan to roll into

Omagh for auction day. S Viewback Antiques sell everything.

As the nervous hush descends, our two chaps can barely contain

themselves. Ah, here we go. I will start doing the jig by the end of

the night. Can we have at bit of hush, please?

Too bad, boys. First up is the decorated page turner which Jonathan

bought for �4. Keep going. Keep going. �20 once.

�20 twice. Well done, Jonathan, the first profit of the day, but can it

last? Next is Jonathan's WMS silver jar

which cost him �25. At �25. At �30. At �30. At �35. Down the back at

�35. At �40. At �45. Who will give me �50? Come on, someone.

Sold at �45. Are you starting to worry t Charles?

? Will Jonathan's tray help stay in the race? At �35. At #40e. At �45.

It is a lady's bid at �45. �45, Charlie boy.

Not bad. Now for Jonathan's enamel time piece which cost �80.

At �60. At �60. �65. �75. All finished. At �75. Sold at �75.

Jonathan, is it time up for your profits?

Jonathan is hoping to reclaim his winning streak with this Italian

vase which he hopes was a bargain at �15. �20. At �35. At �30. At �35. At

�40. At �40. �45. �45. �45. All finished. A good price. Next up,

Charles' job lot of pipes which he bought for �20. �40. �30. Start me

at �20. �20 bid. At �20. At �25. At �30. �35. At �35. At �30. At �40. At

�40, it is a lady's bid. At �40. Another profit for Charles, but it

is too close to call. Now it is time for the battle of the fire screens

to begin. Jonathan's walnut fire screen cost a tidy �80 and it needs

to do well if he is to stay in the race. Start me at �50. At �50. At

�60 down the back. At �70 here at the front. �80. �9 o at the front.

At �100. At �100. It is not enough. It is not enough.

I cannot get more money. �100. Is there another bid? All finished and

done at �100. A �20 profit, but Jonathan hoped for more. Next up,

the rose wood fire screen which Charles bought for �85. This is the

moment when the second auction will be decided. It is that simple

simple. �100 instantly. At �120. Any advance on �120? Charlie, Charlie,

�130. You jammy so and so.

Sold. Upz That car is cruising into fifth gear

As Charles surges ahead, next up is his hat and box. A snip at �43 and

there is a sudden change of auctioneer too.

It sounds like you are at the races, Charlie.

I'm praying. I'm praying. �40. �50. �508 -- �50. No. No. �70.

That's a handsome profit of �37 for Mr Hansen. A triumphant Charles

steals the lead from Jonathan. After paying the auction costs he made a

profit of �65 and takes �259. 17 to the next leg. Jonathan did not do

quite as well. He began this part of the road trip with 218. . 29 and