0:00:02 > 0:00:07It's the nation's favourite antiques experts with £200 each, a classic car and a goal -
0:00:07 > 0:00:10- to scour Britain for antiques. - That hurts.
0:00:12 > 0:00:17- I'm going to go for it. - The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22- There will be worthy winners and valiant losers. - Goodness gracious me.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27So will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Not nice to gloat. There we are.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32This is the Antiques Road Trip!
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Yeah!
0:00:35 > 0:00:40All this week, we've been on the highways and byways of southern England with our experts,
0:00:40 > 0:00:47Catherine Southon and Charlie Ross, making steady and sometimes not-so-steady progress.
0:00:47 > 0:00:53- It's just the gears.- If we could have another week or two together, you'd be driving like Stirling Moss.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57Charlie ran his own auction house for 25 years,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00but his passion for antiques is as fresh as ever.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06- You've got an old man quite excited here.- Catherine's an expert on scientific instruments
0:01:06 > 0:01:10and is blessed with unique haggling skills.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Charlie and Catherine began their trip with £200 each,
0:01:15 > 0:01:20but after four auctions their finances look decidedly depleted.
0:01:20 > 0:01:26I'm not buying antiques any more. I'm not buying classic antiques. I'm buying tat.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31Charlie's had hefty losses and only two modest gains,
0:01:31 > 0:01:36leaving him just £110.06 to spend today.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42Catherine has yet to make her fortune, but she does have a slightly healthier balance
0:01:42 > 0:01:46with £183.74 to play with.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51Their travelling companion is this 1966 Austin Healey frog-eyed Sprite,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54but perhaps not for much longer.
0:01:54 > 0:01:59- My car's packing up!- Charlie... - My cars packing up!
0:01:59 > 0:02:06- Are you all right, darling? I'm just going to find the bonnet catch! - You're very close to my legs!
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- Argh!- Charlie! What are you doing?!
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Don't get oil on your shirt, darling.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17- Do you know what you're doing? - I bet we've run out of petrol. There's a garage!
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- Has he gone?- Crisis averted, the team effort saves the day.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27Our experts began the week at Corsham in Wiltshire
0:02:27 > 0:02:32and are meandering over 200 miles through some beautiful parts of southern England
0:02:32 > 0:02:36en route to their final destination, Rye in East Sussex.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41Today they've just lurched into Rochester in Kent on the final leg of their journey,
0:02:41 > 0:02:46passing through the garden of England, bound for the auction in Rye.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51Rochester is one of the Medway towns on the north Kent coast.
0:02:51 > 0:02:57It's home to England's second-oldest cathedral, founded in 604AD.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00The cathedral is gorgeous.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- Fantastic.- There's a rather splendid Norman castle, too,
0:03:04 > 0:03:08despite the siege of 1215 when the fat of forty pigs
0:03:08 > 0:03:14was used to burn the props under the south-east tower, which promptly collapsed.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Keep your eyes peeled. Oh, look!
0:03:17 > 0:03:22- Ha ha ha! Now shall I leave the engine running for you?- Yes.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- I'm going to jump in.- Good luck. - Happy shopping.- Have a lovely time.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29I will. Adios, amigos.
0:03:29 > 0:03:35In need of a quick buck, canny Charlie's after some intelligence from the auctioneer in Rye.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40Charlie Ross here. What are you selling like hot cakes?
0:03:40 > 0:03:46Yes. Little silver items always do well. I'll see what I can find. Bye bye.
0:03:46 > 0:03:53Memories is home to more than 10 dealers with stock ranging from china to furniture and silver.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57- And it has a Gallic surprise for Charlie.- Aha!
0:03:57 > 0:04:02- Are you the boss?- Yes, I'm Martine. - French!- Yes.- Ca va!
0:04:02 > 0:04:05I need to rely on you to get me out of a hole.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08J'ai un petit peu de monnaie.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Charlie's nearly remembered the French for, "I'm almost skint."
0:04:11 > 0:04:18His entente cordiale with Martine produces something frightfully British, but not silver.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20I love that tin.
0:04:20 > 0:04:26It's a tea caddy, but it's got Lord Roberts, Lord Kitchener, of course,
0:04:26 > 0:04:31and Major General Baden-Powell, who founded the Scout movement.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- It just seems quite a lot of money to me. It's £35.- Yes.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39That will make at auction £20 or £25, you see.
0:04:39 > 0:04:45- If it could be bought for 15 quid, I might make a bit of profit. Do you mind?- No.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Martine checks with the dealer.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53He wants to know what would be your very best on your tin.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58Yeah, he wants to pay a pound! Yes, yes.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Really, Martine. Is Charlie's reputation that bad?
0:05:02 > 0:05:09Bob said to me he wants it for £1. I said yes. So he said... No, £15.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14A pound! No, I'm not so cruel, not so cruel.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- So he said 15. - I could have that for 15.
0:05:17 > 0:05:23What a result. One tea caddy and Charlie's off, but ignoring the auctioneer's advice.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28- Not far away, Catherine's going upmarket.- Posh junk!
0:05:28 > 0:05:35- I like that.- Cottage Style Antiques stocks everything from upmarket bits to architectural salvage
0:05:35 > 0:05:40- and Bill is in charge.- What I'm trying to look for is something
0:05:40 > 0:05:43wild, wacky and worth lots of money.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- Nothing wacky so far, but hang on a minute.- What's that?
0:05:47 > 0:05:52I could torture Charlie Ross with this. Hee hee hee.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56Wacky, but possibly not worth lots of money, so the search goes on.
0:05:56 > 0:06:03- I like your jars. - They're damaged.- All of them? - They're nice, but...
0:06:03 > 0:06:06Little ceramic pharmaceutical jars, aren't they?
0:06:06 > 0:06:13These jars probably date from the late-19th century and would have stored medicinal compounds,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17long before drugs had to be kept in tamper-proof bottles.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22I like the little one because that's got a really nice label on it.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26- A price label on it! - £25. I like that.
0:06:26 > 0:06:32I like that one because it's got the original gilt label on, a painted label,
0:06:32 > 0:06:38and it's in rather nice condition. They just look so attractive. As a decorative item they're nice.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42I wouldn't mind perhaps buying a couple of those.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47- How much can that one be? - It's cheap now.- At 25?- Yeah.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51It could be cheaper!
0:06:52 > 0:06:54- It could be 20.- Could be 20, right.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57That is almost a gift.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59So that's the small one.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03This is the medium-sized one. That's nice.
0:07:03 > 0:07:10- The label's all there. Lovely. And that's 30. How much could you do for the two?- 40 for the two.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- 40 for the two. - And you're going to hit me with...
0:07:14 > 0:07:17I wasn't really going to, but as you've asked!
0:07:17 > 0:07:23Shall we say 35, then, as you assumed I was going to come down?
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- 38. - Have you had them a long time? 38?
0:07:27 > 0:07:31That's nothing. Well, 35 would... No, go on. 38.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Bill, thank you very much indeed. I'm happy to buy those.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39So after one charm offensive from Miss Southon
0:07:39 > 0:07:43and one tactical error from Bill, her first purchase is in the bag.
0:07:43 > 0:07:49- That was a record. That was one purchase in about 1½ minutes. - It's the quality of the gear.
0:07:49 > 0:07:54Well, the sign did say posh junk, Bill. There's lots of interest,
0:07:54 > 0:08:00- but what will sell best at an auction by the sea? - They'd go mad for that at Rye.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05- Right on the coast?- It is lovely. How much is that?- £100.
0:08:05 > 0:08:11- Oh, Bill! We're talking big money. I can't do big money.- Negotiable.
0:08:11 > 0:08:17- Would you like to look at it in the sun? You might be persuaded. - He's a devil, isn't he?
0:08:17 > 0:08:21You are a devil, Bill! It is lovely.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25With the sun shining through it, it does look spectacular.
0:08:25 > 0:08:32This lovely turquoise blue colour on... Is that the sea? Yeah, that's the sea.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36One would hope. And this lovely vibrant red on the sun.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40It's absolutely beautiful. Really beautiful.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43Seeing as you've done a good deal on them jars,
0:08:43 > 0:08:49- you could go to about 60 on that. - I'm not sure. I do love it.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- 60's too much?- 60's too much. What is your best, then?
0:08:53 > 0:08:59- 55.- Oh, really? Is that really the best you can do on that?
0:08:59 > 0:09:05- I'm not sure I want to take a gamble at 55.- 50 quid or we put it back in the workshop. How's that?
0:09:06 > 0:09:12Catherine isn't familiar with the market for stained-glass. Will she gamble at £50?
0:09:12 > 0:09:19I'm going to be bold and brave and shake your hand if I may at £50. The deal is done.
0:09:19 > 0:09:26Happy and brave, but £88 poorer, Catherine gets reassurance from Bill.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30- Thank you very much. I'm sure you'll do very well.- Do you think?- Yeah.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- Thanks, Bill.- Bye.
0:09:32 > 0:09:39Just down the road, Charlie's back on track, looking for silver as the auctioneer in Rye suggested.
0:09:39 > 0:09:45- There's a bit of English silver. - Yes, that would be Georgian. - Sugar tongs.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- Sugar nips.- Sugar nips.
0:09:47 > 0:09:54- Yes, they're lovely. - There's no label. They must be free. Are they free?- No!
0:09:54 > 0:09:57No, no, sorry. Even to you they wouldn't be free.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02- Oh, and nice, crisp marks. - Yes, it's quite clear.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07Sugar nips have a scissor action to pick up sugar cubes,
0:10:07 > 0:10:12unlike sugar tongs which use a pinching action. These are Georgian.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- I expect these are horrible expensive, aren't they?- Yes, yes.
0:10:16 > 0:10:22- You're not supposed to say yes! - They're not a pound.- You say, "For you, Charlee,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25"une livre."
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- No.- No.- Never mind. How much are they?- What about £50?
0:10:30 > 0:10:35You couldn't do those for £40, could you? If I went on my knees...
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- 45.- 45?- 45. There you are.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Martine...
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- mwah!- 45.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48So with the tea caddy at £15 and the sugar nips at £45,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51the Francophile has blown.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- Soixante.- Soixante. Merci beaucoup.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58Martine, thank you so much. May I do it the French way?
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- Wonderful!- Three!- Mwah! Trois!
0:11:03 > 0:11:07Ooh, la la! That was a good matin's work.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13The sun's out, temperatures are rising and Miss Southon has taken to the road again.
0:11:13 > 0:11:20She's making the short trip from Rochester to Chatham, another of the Medway towns,
0:11:20 > 0:11:25and a visit to the historic dockyard there. Does a tot of rum await?
0:11:25 > 0:11:29- Ahoy, sailor, I should say. - Welcome to the dockyard at Chatham.
0:11:29 > 0:11:36Naval historian Richard Holdsworth is aboard HMS Gannet, poised to be Catherine's guide.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41It's 80 acres, 100 buildings and structures, 47 monuments
0:11:41 > 0:11:46and it's the complete dockyard of the Age of Sail.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51The origins of the dockyard are in Tudor times. Most of the fleet that fought the Armada
0:11:51 > 0:11:55left from Chatham in the months leading up to its attack.
0:11:55 > 0:12:01In the 17th century, it moved to this site and was established here from 1613.
0:12:01 > 0:12:08It was a site where they could build dry docks and slipways to build ships. It was the Royal Navy base.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12The dockyard closed as an operational naval base in 1984,
0:12:12 > 0:12:19but it has three vessels on display. The newest is the submarine HMS Ocelot,
0:12:19 > 0:12:24built at Chatham in 1962, and the oldest is HMS Gannet,
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- built nearby at Sheerness in 1878. - Tell me about HMS Gannet.
0:12:28 > 0:12:34Gannet is the archetypal gunboat, the sort of ship when politicians stood up in Victorian days
0:12:34 > 0:12:39and yelled, "Send a gunboat!" this is what the navy would send.
0:12:39 > 0:12:45She epitomises everything this yard was about in the transition from sail to steam
0:12:45 > 0:12:49and she puts masts on the horizon and is a great flagship for us.
0:12:49 > 0:12:55In the Age of Sail, rope making was one of the many vital trades at the dockyard.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59This is the place that we still make rope today on equipment from 1811.
0:12:59 > 0:13:05- It's too difficult to talk about. Shall we go and have a look? - Let's go.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09The present ropehouse was built in the 1780s and '90s,
0:13:09 > 0:13:17just in time to supply the 20 or so miles of rope needed for each ship during the Napoleonic Wars. Gosh.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20It's an amazing building and structure.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25- But you haven't seen anything yet. - I've never seen anything like this.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30At its peak, the ropery was producing enough rope each year to reach to Istanbul.
0:13:30 > 0:13:36When it was built, it was the longest brick building in Europe at 1,135 feet.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41The navy needed rope at 120 fathoms in length.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46That would be 700 feet. They needed that to moor ships in 30 metres of water
0:13:46 > 0:13:52and because of the process when you twist the rope together they contract,
0:13:52 > 0:13:54you needed a building that's longer.
0:13:54 > 0:14:00Rope making here is still on a commercial basis, as well as keeping the craft alive.
0:14:00 > 0:14:07Master ropemaker Fred Cordyer and his team are in the final two stages of finishing a rope.
0:14:07 > 0:14:13First, they take three strands and twist each one individually to make it tougher,
0:14:13 > 0:14:18then they take the three toughened strands and turn them into a finished rope,
0:14:18 > 0:14:24- using a lot of skill and a wooden cone with three grooves. - The rope's put into those grooves.
0:14:24 > 0:14:29When they start the machine again, they twist together
0:14:29 > 0:14:34and it pushes the top cart, with Fred on board, right the way down the floor.
0:14:34 > 0:14:42And this is a sort of skill that's been handed down, man and boy, since the mid-18th century.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45That is astonishing.
0:14:45 > 0:14:51- Now, of course, you can answer the question when you're asked - how long is a piece of string?- Yes!
0:14:51 > 0:14:57What did he say again? 700 feet?! That's enough string to tie up Catherine's visit rather neatly.
0:14:57 > 0:15:05Charlie's made his way from the Medway to the pretty Kent market town of Faversham.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09He's still got £50.06 burning a hole in his pocket.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- Hello!- Hello.- Are you Anne?- I am. - I'm Charlie!
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- Nice to meet you.- Lovely to see you.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21Anne Squires has lots of beautiful antiques for sale,
0:15:21 > 0:15:25but that still leaves the old codger with a weight on his shoulders.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29I'll admit it now. I'm not the richest man in the world.
0:15:29 > 0:15:35And if I make you an offer, I'm not being mean. I simply haven't got any more money!
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Come on, Charlie. You could still do a lot with £50.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44- Not to mention the 6p. - What a splendid shooting stick!
0:15:44 > 0:15:48Isn't that lovely? That's a Rolls Royce model!
0:15:48 > 0:15:54That's what old Churchill used to sit on when he was painting. Lovely. Probably about my height, too.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59- But will it take my weight? - You'll find out in a minute!- Yes!
0:15:59 > 0:16:05Don't break it if you can't afford to pay for it. Why don't you find yourself a proper seat?
0:16:05 > 0:16:10- That's better.- I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders.
0:16:10 > 0:16:18On the other hand, there's furniture here. It's a Victorian walnut centre table
0:16:18 > 0:16:23that very sensibly somebody has cut down to be a coffee table.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27There isn't such a thing as a Victorian or Georgian coffee table.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32It's got lovely walnut. It's got ebony stringing here
0:16:32 > 0:16:36and I think ebonised cross-banding round the outside.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- It's £180. - More than three times your budget!
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Thankfully, Anne has a bright idea.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47Oh, a Chinese blue and white vase. How old is that? 18th century?
0:16:47 > 0:16:51The glazing, to me, looks almost 20th century,
0:16:51 > 0:16:55but actually looking at the bottom, the glazing here,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57I would say it's 18th century.
0:16:57 > 0:17:04Is it damaged? To be honest, it's only a nick that's been rather badly glued back in.
0:17:04 > 0:17:09You could get that out and re-restore it. I would say if that was perfect
0:17:09 > 0:17:13it would be worth £100-£150 at auction.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18The price tag says £85. Cheap, but not cheap enough.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22Where would be the sort of swimming pool bottom level on that?
0:17:23 > 0:17:28- Well, can you afford £60? - Do you know, it sounds pathetic, but I haven't even got £60.
0:17:28 > 0:17:33Ah. I like it, actually. I love the colours.
0:17:33 > 0:17:38Love the patterns. Love the little dogs down the side.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42- Tell me what your budget is. - Could I buy it for £40?- Ooh!
0:17:42 > 0:17:49- That's a little bit...- Is it?- ..low. - It's a pathetic offer, but I am short of cash.- You are.
0:17:49 > 0:17:55- It would leave me a tenner for tomorrow.- Could you do £50? It wouldn't leave you anything.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59It would. It would leave me 6p to play with tomorrow.
0:17:59 > 0:18:05And I really don't want to walk into a shop with 6p in my pocket!
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Even an old cheapskate like me.
0:18:08 > 0:18:14I could walk into a shop with £5 and 6p tomorrow. Could you do 45?
0:18:14 > 0:18:20Does that get you out of trouble? I can see you visibly wilting and sagging!
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- Well, why not? - Well, because you might be unhappy.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31- And sad.- I won't be unhappy at all. - And call me horrible names when I go out of the door!
0:18:31 > 0:18:37- It's my vase and I can let you have it for 45 if I want to. - Chinese. Anything can happen!
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Put it there! Thank you. Mwah!
0:18:39 > 0:18:44It's another triumph for that old snogger, Charlie.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49Time to rejoin Catherine and take a well-earned break. Night-night.
0:18:50 > 0:18:58A new day dawns, beautiful and sunny, but our experts have different ideas on how to spend it.
0:18:58 > 0:19:04- I think we're going shopping together.- I'm just going to sit in the hedgerows.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Would you like that? Don't make a face like that!
0:19:07 > 0:19:14So far, Catherine's spent £88 on two ceramic pharmaceutical jars and a stained glass window,
0:19:14 > 0:19:18leaving a generous £95.74 for today's purchases.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21I'm worried now. It's a big gamble.
0:19:21 > 0:19:26Charlie started with less and he's already spent £105 on a tea caddy,
0:19:26 > 0:19:32some silver sugar nips and a Chinese vase. That leaves him with a miserly £5.06.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Martine...mwah!
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Which could be a bit of a challenge.
0:19:38 > 0:19:44Catherine and Charlie are now heading to the village of Bethersden in Kent
0:19:44 > 0:19:48before their auction at the historic port of Rye in East Sussex.
0:19:48 > 0:19:54The typically Kentish village lies about five miles west of Ashford.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59In days gone by, so-called Bethersden marble was quarried here.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03It isn't actually marble, but looks similar when polished.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08- Also in Bethersden is the opportunity for a very bad joke. - Look!
0:20:08 > 0:20:14Get inside. I'll give you a ride with your old friend Mr Shaw and his son Rick.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19- Rickshaw! Are you happy? - I don't know about happy...
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Me take you on buying trip, madam!
0:20:24 > 0:20:27This is more fun than buying antiques.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Come on, darling. Let's go shopping.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34Well, if the car breaks down again, that's Plan B sorted.
0:20:34 > 0:20:41The Antiques Barn has 3,000 square feet of diverse delights, courtesy of 18 dealers.
0:20:41 > 0:20:42Groovy!
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- Charlie could really rock'n'roll in these.- Crikey!
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Rock'n'roll Rossco!
0:20:50 > 0:20:55Now I'm drawn to this. This is charming.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59This is Napoleonic. Prisoner of war.
0:20:59 > 0:21:05It's made with tiny little strands of straw that have been woven in to make this lovely mosaic pattern.
0:21:05 > 0:21:12I'm thinking it was a needle case, but actually it could be a vesta with a striker on the bottom.
0:21:12 > 0:21:19This looks like it's been made from bone. These were made using whatever materials prisoners found.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24Straw, bone, mutton bone. Whatever they could use, really.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27It's just such a neat little thing.
0:21:28 > 0:21:34Catherine's quite taken with the vesta case, but at £65 it seems she's not ready to commit.
0:21:34 > 0:21:40There are plenty of other temptations and Linda Coleman is on hand to throw them in her path.
0:21:40 > 0:21:46I like that. A propeller barometer.
0:21:46 > 0:21:52- When you say propeller barometer... - Yes, possibly from the centrepiece of an old propeller.
0:21:52 > 0:21:58- So you think this has come... and then been made into a barometer.- Yes, yes.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02- It's lovely.- Beautiful. - Does it work?- Oh, yes.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05The frame is beech and mahogany,
0:22:05 > 0:22:09but it's hard to identify the exact origins of this piece.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14Catherine wants to know more and she'd like a reduction on the £120 price tag.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- How much can you do on that?- 90.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- I still can't stretch that far. - I'm afraid that would have to be...
0:22:23 > 0:22:27Unless I can find out a better price. I'll give the seller a nudge.
0:22:27 > 0:22:34While Linda checks whether the seller is prepared to be nudged, Catherine's eye roams.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39Aren't these gorgeous? Can you ever believe that a lady would be able to get
0:22:39 > 0:22:45her slender arm in one of these kid leather gloves? Look how tight that is.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47They've probably never been worn.
0:22:47 > 0:22:53They look to be in perfect condition. Absolutely delightful.
0:22:54 > 0:23:00Well, the gentleman can't tell you much more about it, apart from he thinks it's a First World War
0:23:00 > 0:23:06- aeroplane propeller, and that's it. But he will squeeze down to 75. - Right, OK.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11- Very kind.- That's the absolute. - I need to do some thinking, if that's all right.- No problem.
0:23:11 > 0:23:17Meanwhile, Charlie's struggling to get started on today's shopping spree.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21Not going to be easy shopping with a fiver. Actually, I'm lying.
0:23:21 > 0:23:27- Five pounds 6p. - Think positive, Charlie. 6p could make all the difference.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31I've seen something round here, I think. Oh, my goodness, me.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36CLINK Breakages must be paid for, so just break a fiver!
0:23:38 > 0:23:44- I can see you've got a sense of humour. ..Now that I like.- It's really sweet, that little frame.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49- Did it cost lots of money? - It could be a fiver. It could be.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53You've got an old man excited here. That looks really sweet.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56It is a beautiful little frame.
0:23:56 > 0:24:02- It would look lovely with a little portrait in there.- It would. - In fact...that would look gorgeous!
0:24:02 > 0:24:07Look, she's already agreed a fiver, Charlie. You don't need to flirt.
0:24:07 > 0:24:15Catherine's had a breakthrough. A camera-shy dealer has agreed to sell the vesta case for just £25,
0:24:15 > 0:24:17a reduction of £40.
0:24:17 > 0:24:22- But she has a new problem. - I've been slightly foolish.
0:24:22 > 0:24:28I've bought my vesta case, but it doesn't leave me with as much money as I thought.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32I haven't got my sums correct. I now have just over £70 and a few pence.
0:24:32 > 0:24:38The lady that owns the barometer, she said 75 was her absolute bottom.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42So I'm going to try her at 70. See what happens.
0:24:42 > 0:24:50Hi, there. I've been terribly foolish because I've spent some money and I know you said £75
0:24:50 > 0:24:54- was your best. - Absolutely. That would be.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58- There's no way I could go any further.- We couldn't pinch it to 70?
0:25:00 > 0:25:02And a few pence.
0:25:04 > 0:25:10- For you, yes. Go on, then. - You could pinch it to 70? - I'll pinch it to 70 just for you.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- That's really sweet of you. - Not a problem.
0:25:13 > 0:25:19- Because I think that might be all right. Incidentally, how much are they?- The little gloves?
0:25:19 > 0:25:24- A fiver to you? - I have 74p!
0:25:24 > 0:25:27- 74p?- Mmm.- Cheeky!
0:25:27 > 0:25:32- You've got to try. - Go on, then.- Can I?!
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Yes, go on.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37You are absolutely wonderful!
0:25:37 > 0:25:43And with that, Catherine's spent every penny of her £183.74,
0:25:43 > 0:25:46making that last 74p really count.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51- Is that all right?- Wonderful. Thank you.- Absolute pleasure. Thank you.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54- Farewell!- Bye-bye!- Wish me luck.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57I think Charlie is more in need of luck.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02May I reiterate it's not easy with a fiver?
0:26:02 > 0:26:09- Come, come. Look what can be done with 74p.- I just need something to jump out at me,
0:26:09 > 0:26:15- then try the old Rossco negotiating skills. I don't suppose this will be a fiver?- No.- Fair enough.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20I thought that had a pound sign and a fiver after it.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- It's actually 65!- It's 65, that one!
0:26:23 > 0:26:30Time is short, money is short and Charlie's feeling the heat in more ways than one.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35While Charlie flaps, Catherine's chilled out and as cool as a...
0:26:35 > 0:26:39chocolate ice cream. Has she got him licked?
0:26:41 > 0:26:43Perhaps not.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Oh, I like that. Silver, Birmingham.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51Probably 19... About 1930, I should think.
0:26:51 > 0:26:531920s, 1930.
0:26:53 > 0:26:59It's got damage, but it is hallmarked silver, tortoiseshell bottom. It's a little coaster.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04It's a genuine antique. It really is a bit bashed,
0:27:04 > 0:27:08but "So what?" is what I say if they take a fiver.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11It's priced at £12.
0:27:12 > 0:27:18Selling tortoiseshell is restricted by international law, but as this coaster was made before 1947,
0:27:18 > 0:27:24- it's still legal to sell it. - Louise! I've found a very pretty silver little...
0:27:24 > 0:27:30- Have you not seen that?- No. - Isn't it fun?- You can have it for a fiver.- That's fantastic!
0:27:30 > 0:27:36- You've a good chance with that. - A silver coaster and a smile. All for a fiver.- Thank you for that!
0:27:36 > 0:27:39- You're welcome.- Wonderful!
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Lucky Charlie.
0:27:42 > 0:27:47Next he makes his way 12 miles down the road to the village of Northiam in East Sussex
0:27:47 > 0:27:53to meet a man called Phil Collins. Not that one. They're going to talk about cars.
0:27:53 > 0:27:59Charlie's auctioned hundreds of millions of pounds of vintage cars so he'll like this place.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- Oh, I'm in seventh heaven here! - Told you.
0:28:02 > 0:28:03Phil?
0:28:03 > 0:28:06- Charlie.- Pleased to meet you.
0:28:08 > 0:28:15Phil used to be a jockey, but after a serious injury left him unable to drive real cars for nine months,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18a friend introduced him to the world of pedal cars.
0:28:18 > 0:28:24His collection started with one and it's grown into a full-scale museum.
0:28:24 > 0:28:30- How many do you have? - 580 altogether.- 580?!- Yes.
0:28:30 > 0:28:36- Is this the biggest collection in the world?- No, it isn't. I think we're sitting in third.
0:28:36 > 0:28:42- Who are your rivals?- George W Bush has got a collection. It's a private one.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46- He's into the 600-mark.- Gosh! Phil's competing in the major league.
0:28:46 > 0:28:51I wonder if the former President buys his cars in the same places.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54- Where did you find that? - In a junk shop.- Really?
0:28:54 > 0:28:57I think it was £17 10 shillings.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01- Not 50p. 10 shillings. - 10 shillings!
0:29:01 > 0:29:08The oldest car in Phil's collection is a De Dion, dating from around 1905.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12We found this in a barn in Salisbury and we had to scrape the tyres off the floor.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17But the upholstery, paintwork, lamps were all as.
0:29:17 > 0:29:23- It looks as if it would almost go without pedalling. It's got a radiator.- Only a dummy one!
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Something to put your whisky in!
0:29:26 > 0:29:31Charlie's tour includes a privileged peek at Phil's workshop
0:29:31 > 0:29:37where he restores old cars and has just started making new ones.
0:29:37 > 0:29:42- I recognise that chap! Jaguar.- XK.- XK-120?
0:29:42 > 0:29:46- 120.- How long will it take to make that?
0:29:46 > 0:29:53- It takes me roughly 20-30 hours from start to finish. - That's pretty speedy work, I reckon.
0:29:53 > 0:29:59- You just keep them? - This is built for a customer. - Right.- To their specifications.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01Red carpet, blue seat.
0:30:01 > 0:30:07Phil's cars range from around £1,300 for a fibreglass self-build kit
0:30:07 > 0:30:13to £6,000 for an exquisite and unique alloy model like this one.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17I think that's just wonderful. I'm going to put my order in!
0:30:17 > 0:30:21- It's been a real delight. - A pleasure.- Thank you so much.
0:30:21 > 0:30:27Better start saving, Charlie. For now it's back to reality. The plan is to meet with Catherine
0:30:27 > 0:30:32in a Kentish vineyard so that they can reveal their purchases
0:30:32 > 0:30:39- and then drown their sorrows or toast their success with some tasty local tipple.- Ready?
0:30:39 > 0:30:40Yeah.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43These items here,
0:30:43 > 0:30:47we have a price range from 74p up to £70.
0:30:47 > 0:30:53Right. I'm going to say you wouldn't have paid £74 for anything other than the barometer.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55- Wrong?- £70. You're right.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59- A bit chancy on that. - Was it a silly thing to buy?
0:30:59 > 0:31:04Yes, very silly. If you bought any of those things for 74p,
0:31:04 > 0:31:08- you did unusually well. Which was it?- Gloves.
0:31:08 > 0:31:15- 74p?!- Yeah. Aren't they lovely? - They're 30 quid's worth. 40 quid. - They're beautiful.- Are they kid?
0:31:15 > 0:31:20- Kid leather gloves. Immaculate. - You stole those.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22- And these?- Little medical jars.
0:31:22 > 0:31:28They're lovely. 19th century. And they cost... You didn't spend all your money, did you?
0:31:28 > 0:31:34- £38. I did spend all my money! - 70, 80, 90, 110, 120...
0:31:34 > 0:31:38- I thought you had... - Forgotten something crucial?
0:31:38 > 0:31:44- Blimey! It's Tiffany! - Not quite!- It's a Tiffany window!
0:31:44 > 0:31:50That's glorious. It's not quite Tiffany, but isn't that fun?
0:31:50 > 0:31:56- And such amazing condition! - Don't look too closely! - I like that. I love leaded glass.
0:31:56 > 0:32:01That's fab. That's worth...£120.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04- I love you, Charlie! - Do you?- I do!
0:32:04 > 0:32:09- What did you pay?- 50 quid. - Then you are a creep! Fabulous.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12Are Charlie's buys fabulous, too?
0:32:12 > 0:32:13Argh!
0:32:13 > 0:32:14Right.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19Catherine sees potential in the Chinese vase.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22- This to me looks very attractive. - I would agree with that.
0:32:22 > 0:32:27I was thinking for a moment it might be 18th century, but it's 19th.
0:32:27 > 0:32:32- But I just had to take a gamble. - It's got a big chunk out of it. - A little, tiny chunk.
0:32:32 > 0:32:38- But that's my gamble. I bought some very, very lovely 18th century...- Sugar nips.
0:32:38 > 0:32:43..silver sugar nips. They're crisply marked, got to be London.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47And I haven't looked at the maker yet. What are they worth?
0:32:47 > 0:32:52- 40? 50?- That's not what the man wants to hear.- How much did you pay?
0:32:52 > 0:32:5340, 50.
0:32:53 > 0:33:01Finally, I had a fiver left today and I bought a hallmarked silver and tortoiseshell coaster.
0:33:01 > 0:33:06- I saw that in the cabinet.- I know. - I didn't pick it up. - You wouldn't.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11- No ringing endorsement, then. - Shall we say cheers to our success
0:33:11 > 0:33:15- and bonne chance?- I've just enjoyed the time. It's been fabulous.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18Fabulous is all very well, but what did they really think?
0:33:18 > 0:33:25Catherine's bought rather a mixed bag. I'm not wildly impressed by the barometer in the propeller.
0:33:25 > 0:33:30I think the sugar nips were very clever. He paid £40
0:33:30 > 0:33:33and I said they were worth £40, £50.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36I think they'll probably make £80.
0:33:36 > 0:33:41My vase, frankly, has got to make a couple of hundred quid. Or I've lost!
0:33:41 > 0:33:46It's OK. It's got a great look to it. I think it'll make about £60.
0:33:46 > 0:33:53So it's been an eventful final leg, lurching into Rochester in Kent and heading through the countryside
0:33:53 > 0:33:57into East Sussex and today's auction in Rye.
0:33:57 > 0:34:02- And the events just keep coming. - What have you done?!
0:34:02 > 0:34:06I fell down some stairs and I've hurt my leg.
0:34:06 > 0:34:11- I fell down the stairs and I pulled a ligament.- In your knee?- Mm.
0:34:11 > 0:34:17- Put your bottom in.- Right. - Hang on. One at a time, darling. Oh, dear.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Hang on. I can't get in now.
0:34:23 > 0:34:24Aargh!
0:34:25 > 0:34:29Charlie, it's our last auction. That's sad.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33Come with me, Miss Southon, with your wonky leg.
0:34:33 > 0:34:38Wonky leg or not, our catastrophe-prone couple have a date at Rye Auction Galleries
0:34:38 > 0:34:43which holds regular antique, collectable and general sales.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50So what does auctioneer Kevin Wall make of our experts' choices?
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Some items will do rather well. Some not so well.
0:34:53 > 0:35:00I am worried about the Napoleonic vesta case. I do believe it to be more 1930s reproduction.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04The Chinese vase would have been nice without the nibble to the top.
0:35:04 > 0:35:09The restoration is not very good. It's let the price down quite a bit.
0:35:09 > 0:35:14The estimate has come down to about £20-£40 for that vase.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18Charlie started this leg with £110.06
0:35:18 > 0:35:21and blew all but 6p on four lots.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25Thank you for that. Mwah!
0:35:25 > 0:35:28Catherine began with £183.74
0:35:28 > 0:35:32and spent every single penny to buy five lots for the auction.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37- Go on.- You are wonderful!
0:35:37 > 0:35:42The moment of truth is imminent, but first Charlie has a question.
0:35:42 > 0:35:48- Are you comfortable?- I'm all right. - Will you last long enough? - I'm fine. I'm really excited.
0:35:48 > 0:35:53First up are Catherine's two ceramic pharmaceutical jars.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57Who's going to start me at £40? 20, then.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01- 10, then.- Oh, come on!- 10. 12.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05- 15. 15's with the gentleman. - Still going.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Do I see 18 now? They've got to go. At £15.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12I'm heartbroken for you(!)
0:36:12 > 0:36:16Ha! Bitter medicine for Catherine, but a spoonful of sugar for Charlie.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18There's hope for the old dog yet.
0:36:18 > 0:36:24- Next up, Catherine's bargain buy. The kid leather gloves. - £40 for them?
0:36:24 > 0:36:27- Kid leather.- That's a bit steep!
0:36:27 > 0:36:30At £10 I'm bid. At £10 only.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33- Do I see 12 for these? - Come on!
0:36:33 > 0:36:35She's begging you!
0:36:35 > 0:36:3812 I've got here. At £12 only.
0:36:38 > 0:36:43- That's a hell of a return on 74p! - We're off. 18. 20.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48- They're well worth it, sir. 20. 2?- Good man!
0:36:48 > 0:36:51At £20. At 20 only. At £20, then.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Disaster! They only cost 74p.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59A deal beautifully handled ends in a whopping profit for Catherine.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02In percentage terms, the best we've had.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06Now it's Charlie's silver and tortoiseshell coaster.
0:37:06 > 0:37:12- I've got to start it at 25. 28 I'm bid. At £28.- What?!- At 28.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17- At £28. All done here, then? 30 on the net now!- Ooh!
0:37:17 > 0:37:22- They've woken up!- Oh, I say! - All done? Going to go.
0:37:22 > 0:37:23At £30.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27- Well done.- Thank you.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31Charlie leaps into the lead, but Catherine's not giving up.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34I think we'll be even Stevens.
0:37:34 > 0:37:41- Catherine's straw work vesta case is next.- At £30 I'm bid. £30.
0:37:41 > 0:37:4430. Is it 2? 32 on the net. 35.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48- I told you this would go on the net! - 35. 38. 40.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52- Keep going!- 42. 45.
0:37:52 > 0:37:5448.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56- Come on.- 50.
0:37:56 > 0:37:575.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59- 60.- Oh.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03- Well worth it, sir.- It is. - She's begging you.
0:38:03 > 0:38:0660 there. At 60, sir. 60.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10- Is it 5? 65. 70, sir? - Oh, it's worth it.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Don't lose it for a fiver, sir. At £65. 70!
0:38:14 > 0:38:18At £70. In the room now at £70.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21With you, sir, at £70, then.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24- Well done.- Thank you.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28That's ignited things for Catherine. She's in the lead.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30That could be the nail in my coffin.
0:38:30 > 0:38:35Don't give up. The auctioneer thought silver could do well here.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39- I've got a couple of bids here. - A couple of bids!- 22. 25. 28.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43- 30's here. At 30. - That's a bit cheap.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47- 5.- On the internet. - The internet's on fire now.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50- 40 on the net.- Less than I paid!
0:38:50 > 0:38:55- 42, sir.- Thank you. Come on, team. - They need to be 80.- 50.
0:38:55 > 0:39:00- Get going!- At £50 on the net. Looking very sad again.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03At £50.
0:39:03 > 0:39:08Well, he's smiling through the tears, but he's done the maths.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11That's another famous C Ross loss.
0:39:11 > 0:39:17Now will Catherine's First World War propeller barometer take off?
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Got to start in at £25. 28.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24- 30. 32. 35. 38. - Going like the clappers.
0:39:24 > 0:39:29- 40 is it now?- Keep going!- At £38. - She's bidding over there.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33- Stop it!- 42. 45. - She's bidding.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35- 55. 60.- Go on, Southon, go on!
0:39:35 > 0:39:41- Go on, Southon!- 80. 5. - Cor, I don't believe this! - Keep going.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43At £80.
0:39:43 > 0:39:49Hmm. After commission, that barely reached cruising altitude.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53- It is a marginal loss. - I know.- After commission.
0:39:53 > 0:39:58- Next up, Charlie's patriotic tea caddy.- £20.
0:39:58 > 0:40:0010, then? 10. 12. 15.
0:40:00 > 0:40:0218. 20. 2.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06- 25. 28?- Come on.- 25's still here.
0:40:06 > 0:40:0828? Still with you at 25.
0:40:08 > 0:40:14- Any downstairs? 28. 30. - A gentleman with impeccable taste in the front row.- 38.
0:40:14 > 0:40:1838 is here. At £38.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Yours, Thrilled of Rye.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25That's a tidy profit and puts the two neck and neck.
0:40:25 > 0:40:32The stained glass window is Catherine's final lot, her make-or-break purchase.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36- It's worth a lot more than £50. - I can't bear this.- 50 I've got.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39- Here we go.- 5. 60. 5.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43- The buyer of the tea caddy is going like the clappers.- 90. 5.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- 100. 110.- Keep going.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48120?
0:40:48 > 0:40:51110 I have here. £110.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53- All done, then?- Come on!- 110.
0:40:53 > 0:41:00- That's put a smile back on my face. - It's a hefty profit and Charlie knows it.- Well done.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02That, I think, seals your victory.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Short of a miracle.
0:41:05 > 0:41:11- So could the Chinese vase produce a miracle?- 35. 38, do I see?
0:41:11 > 0:41:16- 40. 2.- Come on, come on. We've got a long way to go here.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18- Add 100, come on.- 48.
0:41:18 > 0:41:2148. 48. Do I see 50?
0:41:21 > 0:41:24- At £48.- He did his best.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28Best, yes, but miracle? No. With a loss after costs.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31Thank you, sir. You've done your best.
0:41:31 > 0:41:37Well, it's been quite a journey, but have Catherine or Charlie gone from rags to riches?
0:41:37 > 0:41:41Charlie started the final leg with £110.06
0:41:41 > 0:41:46and made a petite profit of £26.12 after auction costs,
0:41:46 > 0:41:51leaving him with just £136.18 at the end of the trip.
0:41:51 > 0:41:56Catherine, on the other hand, kicked off with £183.74
0:41:56 > 0:42:02and earned a healthy £58.16, making her not only today's winner,
0:42:02 > 0:42:07but champion of this week's Road Trip with £241.90.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11All the money our experts make will go to Children In Need.
0:42:11 > 0:42:16- Come on, dear.- You don't have to call me "dear", Charlie.
0:42:16 > 0:42:22- Just because I'm hobbling, I'm not old.- These prima donnas when they've won a competition...
0:42:22 > 0:42:29Not very gallant, Charlie, considering you've been trying to impress the girls all week.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Melt into my arms...!
0:42:33 > 0:42:36Blimey! My glasses are steaming up!
0:42:36 > 0:42:38You're gorgeous.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41I can't see that myself.
0:42:41 > 0:42:46Catherine's been no slouch on the flirting front, either.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Oh, move out the way. I'm moving in.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51You've got lovely eyes.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55I like you stroking my hand.
0:42:55 > 0:43:01# The female of the species is more deadly than the male... #
0:43:01 > 0:43:03Lovely man.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Thank you!
0:43:05 > 0:43:10But we all know that really they only have eyes for each other.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14- Thank you.- You look gorgeous.
0:43:14 > 0:43:21# Going to the chapel and we're gonna get married... #
0:43:21 > 0:43:25By the end of this trip, I could be in love with you.
0:43:25 > 0:43:30- I thought we already were in love? - Aha-ha!
0:43:31 > 0:43:33Settle down.
0:43:50 > 0:43:52Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd