Episode 12 Antiques Road Trip

It's the nation's favourite antiques experts.

With £200 each, a classic car,

and a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.

Going, going, gone.

I think I've arrived!

The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction,

but it's no mean feat.

Yes!

There'll be worthy winners, and valiant losers.

Tails.

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

Argh! Argh!

This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah!

It's Scotland versus England on the third leg of the road trip,

with Englishman David Harper and Scots-born Paul Laidlaw.

When negotiating a bargain, savvy southerner David

likes to leave it to Lady Luck to decide.

What do you want? Heads?

Tails.

Whereas canny Caledonian Paul's buying habits

can only be described as, well...

Quirky, and I'm not ashamed.

OK, I feel slightly dirty.

David started the week with £200, but two auctions later

managed to increase his loot to £214.60.

Not much to live on!

Paul started with the same amount

but his pockets have bulged

to an impressive £369.40.

It's another glorious day in the British countryside!

Actually, they're battling the elements

in this red 1968 Triumph Herald.

-A moment ago we were in our sunglasses.

-Yes.

It was OK, sort of warmish, wasn't it?

-Bracing!

-Bracing, but doable.

-Now, suddenly, we've gone to November.

-Indeed!

But this is a time-travelling machine, isn't it?

THEY LAUGH

On this route, our fearless compadres

started in Windermere in the Lake District,

travelling a 600-mile journey to the city of Dundee.

Today they're starting in Hexham in Northumberland,

before heading north-west across the Scottish border

for auction in Dumfries.

Located just a few miles south of Hadrian's Wall,

the charming market town of Hexham was once a key border town.

It has played scene to many battles

between the Scots and the English.

Today it's host to another one,

with auction riches and reputations at stake.

-Oh, here we are, Paul.

-Hexham, I presume?

First day's shopping. THEY LAUGH

-Are you raring to go?

-Good luck, my man.

-I'll see you later.

-Have a good one.

Such good sportsmanship, chaps.

Paul is popping into the family-run Ashbourne House Antiques

to bag the first bargain of the trip.

-I've not introduced myself, I'm Paul.

-Oh, hello, I'm Beryl.

-Good to see you, and this is yours?

-Yes, it is, indeed.

I love this.

This is superb. Look, I've got to say it, a horrible word,

"quirky".

Look, I said it. And I'm not ashamed.

OK, I feel slightly dirty.

That's a Wee Willie Winkie-style chamber stick, is it not?

It's a little portable candlestick to get one from chamber to chamber

in the dark hours of the night.

We have light switches for that sort of thing nowadays!

It's battery-operated and possibly from the 1940s,

made from Bakelite plastic.

It's ticketed at £26.

A bit of a problem,

a little breakage.

Never buy anything you're going to have to apologise for.

Golden rule.

But I'm still tempted.

It's great, isn't it?

I don't know!

It might give me sleepless nights if I had to sell that at auction!

Something a bit more weighty has caught Paul's eye.

It's a late 19th, or early 20th century

marine navigational sextant, or quadrant.

Seafarers would use one

to measure the angle between two objects in the sky

and plot their exact position at sea.

It's a good thing. It's a good thing, look at that.

Mmm, but good enough for its £200 ticket price?

If it's going to be two, I can't buy it.

What about 180?

It's not enough. I'll tell you what I want to do,

I want to try and buy something else from you.

-I've picked that up.

-I know it's damaged.

What a shame, but isn't it just crazy? Love it.

-A straight 20 would be OK.

-Ah, no, no, no.

I want to give you £10 for that and 150 for that,

but we're not striking a deal now.

-That's where I stand, OK?

-Indeed we're not, no.

-Right!

Beryl doesn't seem to be budging.

Paul is wandering around,

but isn't particularly keen on much else.

Is this a tactic to soften Beryl up for his final offer?

It could be a good strategy, this.

Are you going to give me that sexton for 150 quid, then?

160 for the sexton and the Bakelite.

It's a wee candlestick for a bit of frivolity

and the sextant is as it is. I know exactly what we're talking about

and I'm happy to take a punt at it.

160?

-Go on, then.

-Thanks, Beryl!

Loving your work!

The wandering around seems to have worked.

Beryl seems happy with the price and Paul's secured his first piece

and that Wee Willie Winkie for £160.

Marvellous!

Meanwhile, David has arrived at the nearby Malcolm Eglin Antiques.

-Hello, Malcolm, David Harper.

-Nice to see you.

-I love those trousers.

-I borrowed them for this morning.

Did you really?

It would have been ironic if I'd put mine on, wouldn't it?

THEY LAUGH

I brought a change, just in case!

-Did you?

-No, I'm teasing.

Malcolm's a man prepared for any eventuality,

but is he prepared for David's hard bargaining?

His shop is family-owned

and has a nice homely feel to it.

David is £155 behind Paul

so needs something impressive on this trip to bridge the gap.

So, as ever, he has set his eyes to the Orient for inspiration.

This 19th-century Chinese games board

looks like it's made from lacquered wood and papier-mache.

It may have been made for export around the 1880s

and has a ticket price of £165.

But David will want a discount -

of course!

165 on the ticket, how would it be at 110?

-Yeah, I mean, it's nice, it's nice.

-Where do you want to be with it?

Oh, I daren't say.

For me to get out of it...

-90.

-Yeah, it's...

There's got to be a profit in there, David.

It couldn't be 60?

I'll tell you what, shake on 80.

-I'll do it at 70.

-Couldn't.

I'm not going to lose on it, sorry.

I know, I know. I'm being mercenary,

only because I have to be for this one.

Because he's blinking thrashing me, Malcolm,

that's what he's doing, thrashing me.

-MOURNFUL MUSIC

-OK, here we go.

It looks like he's playing the sympathy card.

-Come on, 75.

-Good man, thank you very much.

-Good man.

-No problem.

It worked! Is this a new negotiation tactic from David?

Another string to his bow?

In the meanwhile, Paul has driven to the seaside town of Whitley Bay

to take in some bracing sea air... Oh, yes!

..and the cold, hard collectibles that lie within

Whitley Jewellery and Antiques, and that's where Paul is now.

It's bright, but it's parky out there, I'll tell you!

-Nice to meet you.

-You are...?

-Philip.

-Good to see you.

-I'm Paul.

-And Linda.

-Linda, how are you?

-I'm fine, thanks, Paul.

Good to see you.

Formalities out of the way,

Paul likes to make his way around each shop clockwise.

Or is that anticlockwise?!

Now I've deviated, haven't I?

I was clockwise and now I've gone there.

That's all wrong.

It's how you miss stuff.

Easy mistake to make, I guess.

Paul's going for a deep rummage.

His eagle eyes have spotted something, though,

shining on the floor.

How bizarre.

I've never seen the likes.

Tweedledum, Tweedledee

and one with the Queen of Hearts' pages.

These brass plaques

feature the characters from the original novel

Alice's Adventures In Wonderland

and are probably late 19th or early 20th century.

They're too far gone, aren't they? Polished to oblivion.

Someone's had a right good go at cleaning these

and it's taken a bit of the shine off them.

Is there any money on the brass plaques? Are they dear

or are they not dear?

Well, we've got them marked up at £25 each.

-So they're dear in my book!

-You think they're dear?

-I do.

See if they were sharp? They're worth a punt.

Paul looks like he's deep in thought about Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

Are they really worth £50?

And can he do a deal?

I do want to buy them, to be honest with you.

I want to buy something,

but I'm not a gambler

-and I'm going to make you a puny wee offer...

-Right.

..of a tenner.

-Each?

-No.

-Oh!

He drives a hard bargain.

-I'll see what I can do for you.

-Look at all that damage.

Shall we go in the middle? 15?

-I'm offering you a tenner.

-Ah, Paul...

Do you know what you need to do next time?

Not have them buried in the corner,

as though you'd given up all hope of getting anything for them!

That is sending me a subliminal message.

That'll be lovely. You can have them for ten.

You, my friend, are a good man.

Thanks very much!

Thank you.

Can there be a better pair of mascots

than Tweedledum and Tweedledee to join our wondrous road trip?

Back together the boys are off

to the historic coastal borough of Tynemouth.

They're heading straight to Tynemouth Market,

a place that's just about big enough for the two of them.

OK, left or right?

There's nothing that way. You go that way!

PAUL LAUGHS

-Oh, David!

-You! You!

It's meant in jest.

Look at all that!

-Good luck!

-See you later.

Our David may have got the quiet end of the market,

but it'll take more than that to stop him!

1959. Paul will remember that. He would have been... How old is he now?

Paul's 75... He would, I suppose, just be getting married in '59(!)

-He looks good, but he's had a few operations.

-Ho-ho-ho!

I didn't think he was as young as that(!)

Speaking of things of a fair age,

David's picked up a silver lady's parasol handle

in the form of a swan.

-It's a novelty thing but missing the eye is a major problem.

-It is.

Gosh, that would have been a very fine piece of kit,

so made for a lady of quite some substance.

It's hallmarked 1901, but has a bit of damage.

Silver can sell quite well

but is it worth the £50 dealer Chris is asking for it?

I can't do it. I'd like to own it

because it's an item of quality.

-It has a little bit of damage.

-It's got damage.

What's the price that you'd like to buy it at?

-I'd love it at a tenner but I'm not going to get it, am I?

-No.

-OK.

Anywhere near?

Um... I think the bottom would have to be 30.

Make it 20 and I'll have it.

Let's do some business.

25.

Spin you for it?

-20 or 25?

-Yeah.

-OK.

Oh, Lordy!

He's not going to try this old trick again, is he?

If he wins, he gets it for 20.

Lose, and it's 25.

-OK, what do you want?

-Heads.

-Heads?

Tails.

Huh! Fluke!

And for just £20, let's hope he's even luckier at the auction.

First purchase, first stall - this is what I like.

Paul, meanwhile, is on the other side of the concourse

and he's being called towards some vintage phones.

I mean, I'm a man for my vintage technology and instruments.

These are style icons, are they not?

A bit like yourself, Paul,

but are they stylish enough

to pay dealer David £48 for them?

They look magic!

They look absolutely spectacular.

Clearly, you have worked on these, these are good to go,

-plug them in and you're away.

-Yes.

Could you sell me one of these at a knock-down price?

It depends on what the knock-down price is.

I don't know. What am I going to buy for 25 quid? Anything?

No, I'm afraid not.

The red and ivory?

I've got that at 48.

And I would take 38.

Is there any way on God's Earth you'd take 30 quid for it?

It's a one-off, so I'd agree to do that.

-You're a good man. I like your style in every regard.

-Thank you.

-Thank you. I'll give you some money.

-OK.

Whilst Paul secures his first item of the day,

David is still struggling to find something he likes.

So much choice - and, potentially, so little time.

Speaking of which,

Paul is eyeing up these watchmaker's glasses, priced at £40.

Now, if you have a broken glass on an old watch,

it's nearly impossible to ever find a replacement.

An interesting thing, innit?

-You got much money on that?

-We try to get about 40 for it.

Have you been trying for long, is the question!

-I've had it about two years.

-No!

HE LAUGHS

Let me have another wee look at it, yeah?

The set comes with several rubber tools

and glasses to repair many different types of watches,

however, there is a part missing.

Could dealer David take another offer?

It's like a mandrel that's missing.

Bid you a tenner for it?

Take it off your hands two years later.

-15.

-Take the money and run.

-15.

-Tenner?

-I'll meet you halfway - 12?

-Deal.

Cheers, my man. Thanks for that.

The watch glasses join the phone,

making up a £42 haul for Paul.

David, however, is still wandering around

but can't see anything else he fancies.

But with just two items against Paul's five,

and with one more shop to go,

he really needs to start buying.

But it looks like he's decided it's not to be.

Paul, having completed his shopping, is heading north,

up the coast to the former mining town of Ashington.

Woodhorn Museum records the rich mining history of the town,

but that's not the reason he's here today.

Paul has come to hear about one of the key turning points

of the Second World War -

the capture of the German coding machine, Enigma.

Whilst the Enigma isn't here,

Paul is meeting Charles Baker-Cresswell.

His father captured the first Enigma machines

seized during the war.

-Is it Charles?

-It's Charles.

-Pleased to meet you, I'm Paul.

Great.

Britain required more than a million tonnes of imported material per week

in order to survive the war.

Charles's father, AJ Baker-Cresswell,

was commanding officer of HMS Bulldog.

During the war, he ensured the safe passage of merchant ships

supplying essential materials and food for the war effort.

My word, he cuts quite a fine dash in his naval uniform.

He does. He was a good-looking man.

So this would be, I assume,

-towards the tail end of the First World War?

-Yes, I would think so.

On 9th May 1941,

their convoy was fired upon

by German U-boat 110.

They returned fire,

crippling the German U-boat,

forcing them to abandon ship and surrender.

Crucially, the U-boat stayed afloat,

giving Commander Baker-Cresswell's crew

a rare chance to get their hands on the elusive Enigma machine.

And there is a photograph taken by my father

from the bridge. That is HMS Bulldog,

that's U 110,

those are the British sailors on the U-boat.

She's down at the stern already.

She's down at the stern and a Lieutenant Balme,

who was a young man of 19 then,

he went down the hole in the U-boat

and the whole lot went down and started passing stuff up.

Everything, anything,

-including the encoding machine.

-My word.

-Knowing that at any point this thing could go under.

-Yeah.

-My word, the bravery.

-Yeah.

Once in their hands, though,

code-breakers worked to understand the machine.

Within a few months, they were finally able

to decipher top-secret German military instructions.

By capturing this Enigma machine from 110,

it resulted in the saving of countless lives

-because we had broken the Enigma code.

-Yes.

And we knew what the Germans were up to. Wow.

Historians believe the capture and cracking of the Enigma code

shortened the war by two years,

saving many lives.

Addison Joe Baker-Cresswell

played a pivotal role in turning the war around.

Living well into his 90s, a true British hero.

May I thank you sincerely for treating me to that.

Whilst Paul hears about an amazing piece of history,

David is still hunting for a bargain.

He's popped along to the leafy suburbs of Jesmond,

north of Newcastle city centre.

He's now at the Fern Avenue Antiques Centre,

his final shop of this trip.

But with only £119 left and just two items in the bag,

he really needs to do some buying.

-Hello there.

-Hi.

-David Harper.

-I'm Neil, nice to meet you.

Great to meet you, too.

This shop has a range of goods from around 12 different dealers.

Oh, gosh, there's so much to look at.

What's this?

What is that?

David's picked up a cast-iron figure of a horse-drawn carriage.

So, what we have here, then, is a child's toy

purporting to be from the very late 19th century,

circa 1900, which, if I was really confident it was from that period,

that would be the cheapest thing I've bought on this road trip so far,

at 20 quid, but it's a funky, funky monkey.

They're not monkeys, they're horses.

Funky perhaps, but tricky to date precisely.

Can you make a call and bid them a tenner? Just for a bit of fun?

I'll go and see.

If I could own that for a tenner...

It's really chancy.

It's the kind of thing, in auction, that could surprise you.

Good fun it may be,

but can you get a few pounds off?

Neil has called the dealer to find out.

-Come on, Neil.

-Very best he can do would be £15, David.

-£15? I've got to buy something, Neil. Thank you very much.

-Good.

That's good. OK.

A nice addition to David's collection,

but let's hope he won't be flogging a dead horse with this at auction.

Whilst he ponders that, he's spotted a large brass bowl,

possibly 19th century, North African, for burning charcoal.

It has a ticket price of £75.

What can that be?

Um...£40 would be the best we could do on that.

40 quid?

Neil's offering him a whopping £35 discount on that.

It's got the exotic, hasn't it? It's got the exotic feel,

which is fantastic. I think I'm going to have to have it.

-I've got to have it. £40.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Purchase number two.

Two purchases in the bag. He's not stopping there, though.

DISCO MUSIC PLAYS

-I quite like that.

-Really?

I'm sure somewhere there's a disco missing its table.

This one has a ticket price of £40.

-It's a bit greasy.

-Well, they do say GREASE is the word!

God only knows what this thing's seen!

Lots of flared trousers and cravats, I guess.

See, this is a 20th-century thing, obviously.

But it's got that kind of bejazzled look, hasn't it?

Bejazzled?! That sounds expensive. What's your offer going to be, then?

Bid him 20 quid, please.

-I'm sorry.

-No...

-First of all, say I'm very sorry.

-Yeah.

-For being...horrible.

-No, no, no, don't worry.

-All right. Bid him 20.

DAVID LAUGHS

That'll be bonkers if I buy that!

-He won't come down below 40.

-Seriously?

-Yeah.

All right. If you were in my shoes, Neil,

would you take a chance?

I would take a chance.

-Shall I take a chance?

-Yes.

-Neil, I'm going to take a chance.

-Thanks a lot.

-Thank you.

-That's a quirky bunch of purchases!

Quirky bunch. Thank you very much indeed.

It certainly is, and that's the end of their shopping.

David started this leg with £214.16

and has gone on to spend £190 on five auction lots -

a Chinese chess and backgammon set,

a silver swan parasol handle,

an African copper and brass bowl,

a cast-iron horse and carriage

and a mirrored centre table.

Paul, meanwhile, kicked off with £369.40

and has parted with £212,

also for five lots.

A marine quadrant in its mahogany case,

a lamp modelled as a chamber stick,

two brass plaques embossed with characters

from Alice's Adventures In Wonderland,

a 1960s telephone and a 1920s watchmaker's kit.

I want to hear what they think about each other's lots.

Biggest scary number has got to be the sextant.

That could be very meaty.

And it's quite worrying.

The two things I preferred the most

were the Alice In Wonderland plates. In terrible condition,

but pretty rare too, so they may be a surprise.

For me, it's all about the table.

HE CHUCKLES

The table is a hole in his fortunes,

no two ways about it.

The silver parasol handle -

it's a smart thing, it's silver.

It could make him a decent profit.

I personally like the Chinese games box.

You can't call this one. It's a good offering.

It's going to be an interesting sale.

You're right. So let's get on with it.

After shopping in England, the boys are heading across the Pennines

and up to Scotland and Dumfries

for today's auction.

Located near the mouth of the River Nith

into the Solway Firth,

Dumfries has a strong connection with Robert Burns.

It's where the Scots poet spent the final years of his life.

Our very own wee, sleekit cow'rin tim'rous beasties

have finally arrived at Thomson Roddick Scottish Auctions.

It's the scene of today's auction showdown.

Oh, he's going to take the sign out!

-Thank you very much.

-I expect nothing less, Driver.

-We have landed.

This family-owned auction house

was founded in 1880

and fifth-generation auctioneer Sybil Thomson

will be at the podium today.

First up, it's game on for David's Chinese games board.

-Give me a starter at £32. 32.

-Off and running.

35. 38.

40. 42. 45.

-Oh, David Harper.

-48. 50. 55.

60. 65. 70.

-75. Any advance?

-Come on.

£75. 914.

That's exactly what he paid for it.

But after costs, it works out at a loss for David.

That's what I'm here for - to make you look good.

You're my fall guy.

Next, it's high time for Paul's watch glasses.

Start straight in at 10 bid. 10 bid, 10 bid. 12.

-15. 18.

-Oh, more than that.

-22. 25.

-No, no more.

-28. 30.

-£30.

-It's horrible.

-Any advance on £30?

A great result for Paul's watch glasses -

more than doubling his money.

Not bad, that, Paul. Well done.

Next, will Paul's slightly damaged Bakelite lamp

hold its own in the cold light of day?

£10? 10 bid. 10 bid.

-Damn.

-12.

15. 18. 20.

22. 25.

25. Any advance on 25?

25!

The Bakelite has done incredibly well,

delivering £15 profit.

Seriously, well done.

It's time for Paul's retro telephone.

Start at 18 bid. 18.

20. 22. 25. 28.

30. £30.

-Gentleman on my left. At 32.

-No!

-32. 35.

That is insane.

£35...

A profit, but after costs there won't be much left for Paul.

-Just get out of that.

-You've gone red.

David's second item for auction

is the copper and brass charcoal-burner.

10 bid. 12. 12.

15. 18. 20.

22. 25. 28.

-30.

-Bobbing along. Bobbing along.

-32.

35. 38. 40.

-42.

-Yes.

-At 45.

At £45...

Again, after costs,

David's just about broken even.

I made a fiver, didn't I?

-On paper.

-Before charges.

Horrible Paul.

PAUL CHUCKLES

Will Paul's Alice In Wonderland brass plaques

work wonders for his profits?

20 bid. 20 bid. 22.

-Come on, then.

-Oh!

-25. 28.

30. 32.

35. 38. 40.

42. 45. 48.

50. 55. The bid's with the lady at 55.

£55... And your number is...?

An incredible profit for Paul.

-Unbelievable!

-What?!

-Unbelievable.

-Another discerning purchase.

I know.

So far, David has started with a canter.

Could his toy carriage gallop into the lead?

Give me a starter at £45.

48. 50.

55. 60. 65.

70. 75.

75. It's on commission.

-Come on, Dobbs.

-You're all at 75.

Anyone else going on? At £75...

A triumph for David,

who's been just about breaking even thus far.

-Well done, man. Well done.

-Get in there.

-Good buy.

-Thank you.

-15 to 75?!

-Lovely.

-Get in.

-I need that so badly.

It's time for Paul's sextant.

Or is that a quadrant?

Starter at £100. 100.

110. 120.

130. 140.

-150. 160.

-Well done.

170. 180. 190.

200. New bidder. 210.

220. 230.

-It's made its money now.

-Any advance on £230...?

With £80 profit, Paul will be very happy with that.

-It feels good.

-Seriously.

-Cheers, man.

-Seriously.

Get in!

Agh! Agh!

Next up is David's swan parasol handle.

-20 bid everywhere.

-Everywhere. Sea of hands.

30. 32. 35. 38. 40.

-Come on.

-42.

-Come on, baby.

-45. 45. 48.

-Go on.

50. 55. 60. 65.

-She's getting there.

-On my left at £65...

A very nice £45 profit for David.

-Last one to go.

-You're up.

-I'm up.

I could go down.

-You could.

-I could.

-Could? Will!

It's all down to that final lot -

David's mirrored table.

20 bid. 22.

-25.

-What's happening?

-28. 30.

-This can't be your lot.

-35. 38. 40.

-Oh!

-Go on!

42. Can I tempt anybody else?

42. At £42...

Everyone thought it would bomb and although, after costs, it's a loss,

it's a lot less than they had thought.

Pass me a piece of that humble pie!

Well... No, you were right, because I've made a slight loss.

You got out of it!

Unbelievable.

David started this leg with £214.60.

After auction costs,

he made a profit of £57.64,

ending the leg with a total of £272.24.

Paul, meanwhile, started with £369.40

but after costs made a profit of £95.50,

thereby winning this leg of the road trip

with £464.90.

Which way are you going? That's the way out.

Onwards and upwards, chaps.

Path of least resistance.

This leg is going to be mine!

On this leg, the boys are starting

in New Abbey in Dumfries and Galloway

before heading north for auction in Paisley in Renfrewshire.

Our experts have their hearts set on one thing - finding a bargain.

Next stop is Admirable Antiques,

where both of our experts will be shopping.

-Dingle-dangle. Hello. Paul.

-I'm Dougie. Good to meet you.

-David.

-Pleased to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

With our duo of wheeler dealers shopping in the same place,

they'll need to get moving to find a bargain first.

David in particular has quite a bit catching up to do.

That's quite interesting.

Oh, OK, so we've got a set of graduating ladles.

Have we got the full set?

This is a set of six,

early 20th century brass kitchen measuring ladles.

They're marked to measure decilitres and are continental in origin.

-I think they're more novelty kitchenware, do you agree?

-Yeah.

-How much could they be?

-£15.

-Yeah.

I think, maybe, would they make one auction lot?

I mean, they're not getting me. They're not making me think,

"God, they are gorgeous, I've got to have them."

But I think there might be a profit in them if I paid a tenner.

-12.50.

-Oh, Dougie.

-Come on.

-Do it for a tenner, Dougie, I'll have them.

-Right, OK.

-Are you going to do it for a tenner?

Good man, thank you very much indeed.

First lot secured for just a tenner.

Paul's eye has been caught by this Orkney chair.

It's quite small so probably made for a child.

The label says, "In need of some restoration."

This, I suspect,

is probably 90 year old.

An interwar period piece.

It has some age.

It's not ancient but it's not new.

And it's also got a ticket price of £295.

That would be more than half of his budget blown on a single item.

Shopping around, Paul has taken a shine to some silverware.

He's picked up a silver preserve spoon -

that's a jam spoon to you and me.

It's late 19th century and is priced at £14.99.

On my money, there's a bit of substance to that.

At rather a charming price.

-I'm going to hang on to that.

-One to think about, Paul,

and so is this - a copper jug and kettle.

It's from the second quarter of the 19th century

and has a ticket price of £25.

He's also happened upon a copper water jug by WAS Benson.

Benson was one of the most influential

Arts and Crafts designers of the late 19th century.

That could be a real find.

Now, together with the spoon, will Dougie do him a deal for the lot?

Let me go in at 30 quid.

You're going to say...

"Thanks, Paul."

Since it's you.

Got a deal, my man.

Gosh, that was easy enough. First three items of the trip secured.

Paul seems particularly happy with that.

I was like, "Yeah, yeah, yeah.

"Oh, I see a WAS Benson copper jug over there.

"Wonder if everyone else knows that."

Paul's eagle eye strikes again.

But before he goes, he's still got an eye on that Orkney chair.

It was originally priced at £295

but stand by.

Dougie, thank you very much indeed.

As a parting shot, 175 quid for the Scottish chair.

So, he's looking for £120 discount. It's a big ask.

Will the dealer take it?

Cos it's...eh...needs repaired.

Make it 180.

Thank you, my friend. The man from Del Monte, he say, "Yes."

That's a nice first haul for Paul,

spending £210 on the Orkney chair,

silver spoon and copper jug and kettle.

David, meanwhile, is still looking for a way to sail into the lead,

although I don't know if this is going to be his answer.

It's a handmade model of a 1930s yacht on a mahogany stand.

It's called a pond yacht and it's ticketed at £75.

Dougie, I'm just going to throw something at you.

As I'm looking round, there's a yacht there.

If it's 20 quid, it might be something.

But you just have a look at it and come back to me.

And if it's anywhere near there, I'll have a better look. Is that OK?

That was an interesting way of offering £20 for it.

Is this a new negotiating tactic from David?

He's planting the seed into dealer Dougie's mind but will he go for it?

I know it's been really hard but I've got a major amount

of catching up to do. Major amount.

Could it possibly be that £20?

-I know it's horrible, it's a horrible bid.

-25.

Shall we go for a spin? 20 or 25? Shall we?

Here we go - David's old negotiating tactic's back again.

You want heads? OK.

Huh, is this going to be another lucky coin toss?

25, thank you.

Lady Luck seems to have been otherwise engaged for David

but he is considering one final purchase at this shop -

an eye-catching clay bust of Scotland's most famous poet,

Robert Burns. It says Burns, but I don't see it myself.

I'd love to reveal Robbie Burns.

I'd love to make a bit of money out of Robbie Burns.

It would be fantastic.

He doesn't look much like Burns to me. What do you think?

And is it worth the £120 asking price?

Can it be horribly cheap?

-How horrible?

-20 quid.

-30.

-Oh, come on, Dougie.

-30.

-I'm going to spin you. I'm going to spin you.

-Oh, lordy, he's not really going to do this again, is he?

-Are you ready?

Yeah.

David pays £20 for heads but £25 if it's tails.

-You want tails, do you?

-Yeah.

-How about heads?

-OK.

-Marvellous, thank you very much.

It looks like his luck has changed.

And with that, David's first shop is complete, a total of £55 spent

on the measuring ladles, the model yacht, and that bust.

Paul has made his way to the town of Lockerbie on the search

for more bargains.

He's visiting Cobwebs of Lockerbie,

a dealership specialising in second-hand and antique furniture.

There's a lot to choose from here

and Paul is taking his usual systematic approach to browsing.

I can't possibly go around clockwise but anti-clockwise...

oh, no, dearie me.

No, no, no, start here.

How OCD am I becoming?

Paul's looking for something that will make a big auction impact.

Full of nice things but it's finding the nice thing that's...wow.

I see an awful lot of browsing but no buying.

These books seem to have caught his attention.

It's three volumes of Robert Freke Gould's

History Of Freemasonry, priced at £75.

They look well presented and date from around 1910.

They look splendid.

Might be the only books in the sale.

And they look like they should be worth £200 or £300.

They're not uncommon.

Anyone of any status at all in the Masons is at some stage

going to buy or be bought that standard history.

Paul has left the books for the moment and is continuing to browse.

There's no sign yet that he's about to buy.

That's charming, isn't it?

It's a child's toy horse from around 1900, priced at £48.

David Harper would buy that, wouldn't he?

I think many of my compadres would buy that.

-Oh, would I buy that?

-Probably, if the price was right.

I guess it's down to whether you can get a decent discount from Irene.

Give you 20 quid for the horse. In a bit of a state.

-Unfortunately, I've paid a good bit more than that for it.

-OK.

I understand that. If it's not 20, what is it?

-Is it much more than that?

-30.

30 quid?

And what's your last offer?

See, the books - don't peg me as a Mason, by the way -

-can I just seal that one right now?

-That's fine.

Are they 30 quid as well?

You're chancing it.

Irene's certainly got the measure of Paul but is she feeling generous?

-Go on, I'll do it at 30.

-Excellent!

Another decisive shop for Paul.

£60 spent on a child's wooden horse and the three books.

David has left New Abbey and is on his way to Eskdalemuir.

He's visiting an extraordinary temple that seems at odds

with its surroundings, and thousands of miles from its homeland.

Samye Ling was the first Tibetan Buddhist Centre

to be established in the West.

Today, David's meeting nun Annie.

-Hello.

-Hello. I'm Annie, you're David.

-David Harper.

Fantastic. I mean, what a place to find in Scotland.

Yes, it is a bit surprising, isn't it? Maybe you should see around it.

-Can I show you the temple?

-Yes, will you?

Samye Ling is home to around 16 monks, nuns and volunteers.

It gets its name from Samye, the first monastery to open in Tibet

and "ling" meaning "place."

In the late '60s, two Tibetan monks came to the site to study English

and began building Samye Ling into what it is today.

I don't know about you but David Harper looks quite at home.

This grand victory stupa is a shrine dedicated to honouring the dead.

It's quite a dramatic building, isn't it?

I mean, it really is a great symbol. Noticeable.

It's certainly noticeable. You'll find stupas in many Buddhist places.

On a visit to Scotland in 1993, the Dalai Lama came to Samye Ling.

It was he who chose the specific site for the stupa's construction.

It's quite something to have the Dalai Lama visit your monastery.

Yes, it was wonderful. Very nice.

But the most visually arresting part of Samye Ling

is the magnificent shrine room.

-Oh, my goodness gracious.

-So, here we are.

I have got to say, I love colour.

Yes, you've definitely come to the right place.

What would this part of the temple be?

This is our main shrine room where we do prayers and meditation.

Tibetan Buddhism's very rich, as you can see by the colours.

But also in the rituals,

so there's a great abundance of different things that we do here.

Buddhism began over 2,500 years ago

when Prince Siddhartha Gautama believed he'd found

spiritual enlightenment through a profound

understanding of the causes of human suffering.

Upon this realisation he became known as Buddha - the awakened one.

-And this is he.

-This is how he's usually depicted.

-OK.

So there's Buddha himself in the centre and behind there's

a kind of frieze and that shows what we call the 12 deeds of the Buddha.

So, events from his life.

Meditation is a key part of Buddhist life.

Could you prepare me for meditation?

I could explain one of two things, according to my understanding

-and then you could try them.

-I would love to.

The nuns and monks have two meditation sessions per day,

each lasting one hour.

-So...

-Yes, you sit down. We cross our legs.

-Usually, we sit with our palms one on top of the other.

-OK.

The back straight.

But quite relaxed.

And then gradually, when you're ready,

just follow the movement of the breath, in and out.

David looks quite the part sitting there, just like Buddha!

But there's no time for meditation. There's shopping to be done!

Together again, the boys are heading

just outside the historic market town of Biggar in South Lanarkshire.

They're starting in the same shop together - Sunnyside Antiques.

-Are you in a hurry?

-Of course I'm in a hurry!

-It's cold. It's wet. Why don't we get in?

-You're panicking, admit it.

Where do we go?

Someone's keen to get in first.

Where...? That's somebody's house!

-There's a shed!

-I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm doing.

Ha! I hope you do! You need to get your mind on your big comeback,

ensuring every purchase makes a profit.

Any age to that?

I wouldn't say so. Again, probably...

-Yeah, it's pretty fresh, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It's nice, though.

It's a silver-plated wine bottle pourer.

Is it cheap, cheap, Mark?

Er...it's 25.

-Lots of work in it.

-Yeah.

-It's silver wire.

Erm... I do like that.

And may be difficult to age precisely

as there are no marks on it.

It's very cleverly made, isn't it? It's wicker, isn't it?

It is. But in a white metal.

Gosh. If that was silver, that's several hundreds of pounds' worth.

What's the absolute, absolute depth on that for me?

Bear in mind Laidlaw is all ears.

BOTH LAUGH

Have you got a pen?

A pen? What's he up to now?

Secret negotiations, Paul Laidlaw.

Well, at least he's not flipping a coin again.

And remember, you can't pay for things with an IOU.

"Please help me. I'm in big trouble. Will you take £10?" The chancer.

And Mark's taking it.

Mark, you are an absolute gentleman. Thank you very much indeed.

-Good luck.

-HE LAUGHS

Just destroy that evidence.

That worked a treat, then. And he's managed to knock another £8

off Mark's best price.

That is an absolute stonker. It's gorgeous quality. Love it.

Let's hope the buyers at auction love it just as much.

Paul is looking at some costume jewellery.

-Is that a job lot...?

-I can do as a job lot, if you'd like. Erm...

-25.

-25 quid the lot. How much are they?

I'll do those for ten.

-Good man.

-Good.

-No harm done. Good job.

£10 for a silver brooch and bangle,

which will make up a nice silvery lot with the spoon from yesterday.

I'll just shove them in my pocket.

Meanwhile, David has made his way to Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway.

He's checking out the family-run Lothlorien Emporium,

owned by Linda and Derek.

As it's his final shop,

David really needs to find something that will put him in the lead.

This is like...

last chance saloon again, isn't it?

The final opportunity to buy something really...powerful.

David's big comeback continues as he looks for something to deliver

that knockout blow.

Could these early 20th century hickory Shafter golf clubs

get him out of the bunker and back on to the green?

They're priced at £5 each.

I'm no expert in golf clubs,

but I would think they must be...

oh, 1930s. Would you...? Would you think, Linda?

-1910.

-You think 1910? A bit earlier?

It's Linda's husband Derek.

He seems to know a little bit about them.

Hi, Derek. Well, you might know more about these golf clubs than me.

Talk to me about them.

Not too much, but I know that, usually in Scotland,

most of the time, it's the names on the clubs that they look for.

Carnoustie. That one's Carnoustie.

-Oh, that one's Glasgow.

-Glasgow, yes.

I tell you what, the guy that buys these, or the woman who buys these,

they're not going to use them.

They're not going to go and play golf with them

cos they're probably not going to do very well.

Derek is offering something additional that may

complement the golf clubs and create an interesting little golfing lot.

OK. So, that is something...

Do we have a brand on there?

Just says golfing lighter.

-It's pretty new. It's maybe 1980s, isn't it?

-It doesn't say.

1980S? Hardly an antique.

I'm losing the plot here in a big way. In a big way.

You certainly are.

I'm going to be very cheeky and offer you 20 quid...

for the lot...as a cheeky little lot number.

-Do you reckon?

-I think that would be all right.

-Should we say yes...without even asking him?

-No.

Perfect. Sorry, Derek, the deal's been done.

The deal might be done, but Derek is back with two other items

to throw in as part of the lot.

Oh, look at that.

And we have the golf Go For The Green authentic golf action game.

It's a 1,500-piece golf jigsaw and a board game from the 1970s.

-Thank you, you two.

-You're welcome.

-Linda, you've been absolutely gorgeous.

-And Derek, thank you very much. Very helpful.

-You're welcome.

-Really appreciate it, thank you.

What a very funky auction lot, eh?

Funky?! What is he talking about?

That's probably my biggest earner!

-I bet you that's the biggest earner.

-Well, we shall soon see.

Four early 19th century golf clubs,

a novelty golf lighter, a jigsaw and a board game, all for just £20.

A fabulous shot, and I think you will find

that was almost professional.

Our experts are now all done shopping.

Paul began this leg with £464.90

and has parted with a laudable £280 for five lots -

an Orkney chair,

a copper pot and kettle,

a preserve spoon combined with jewellery,

a wooden toy horse

and three volumes on the history of Freemasonry.

David started this leg with £272.24

and has gone on to spend a paltry £85, also on five lots -

kitchen measuring scales, a model yacht,

a clay model of Rabbie Burns...supposedly,

a wine bottle stand

and a collection of golf clubs and novelty golf items,

but what do they really think of each other's items?

The chair, that's a very, very good chair.

It could sell for 120, it really could.

However, knowing Paul Laidlaw, it may well make 280. Who knows?

That's the danger one, but it could make him £100.

I wouldnae have bought anything Mr Harper bought!

However, the only one that's really guaranteed to do him quite well

is the yacht, that's a smart thing, very decorative, a good thing

and a hell of a price. So, yeah, he'll do all right.

Look, we just don't know. It'll be a nail-biter. Magic.

After shopping in the Southern Lowlands, it's up to the

Central Belt of Scotland for auction in Paisley in Renfrewshire.

Paisley is the largest town in Scotland.

The Abbey has been a place of worship since the 12th century

and it's believed William Wallace was educated here as a boy.

Whilst our Bravehearts have made it to Paisley,

the red Triumph hasn't. It broke down en route,

so we've given them a new one.

This time, a 1965 MG Midget.

-The old car has gone to classic car heaven.

-Seriously?

-Or at least part of it has.

-What part of it?

The important bit - the bit that makes it go!

It was probably the weight of Paul's gold.

The auctioneers are a merger of two family-run firms who have

been in the business since 1848.

Auctioneer Stephen Maxwell is on the podium today.

First up are Paul's silver spoon, brooch and bangle.

-Can we say £20 for the lot?

-No, let's say a fiver.

All silver, start me at ten then.

Nice and cheap. Thank you, ten I'm bid.

-£12. 15, 18.

-No, no!

-20, and two. 25, 28.

The bid's with the gentleman, £30.

You're out. The bid's now at the back with the gentleman,

selling at £30.

A few pounds' profit, but after costs, there won't be much left.

It would be fabulous if it had made a tenner.

Next, will David's wine bottle pourer deliver him profits?

-Straight in, £20 there for the wine bottle holder.

-Come on!

-£22 with the lady. 25.

-Come on!

-28.

It's with the lady, in the room at 28.

-Come on!

-Any advance, all done? We're selling then, at £28.

David more than doubled his money on that. He's off to a great start.

-It's all right, it's all right.

-It's a good result.

-It's all right.

David was very impressed earlier by Paul's copper Benson jug,

but will it and the kettle impress the Paisley bidders?

-Ten to get started. Thank you, sir. £10, I have.

-£10, ridiculous.

To my left. Do we have 12? 12 bid.

-15?

-No.

-18?

-No!

-No? With the gent at the back, 18 has it.

Are we all done at £18?

Paul had hoped for a big profit from that, but after costs,

he breaks even again.

That was Benson. I love Benson's stuff.

I used to. He's dead to me now.

Next, it's time to measure up David's brass kitchen ladles.

-Can we say £30?

-Oh, yeah.

-Don't say £30.

-I think 30 would be good.

So, start me at £20. Your measures at £20.

-£20, take them.

-It's not happening.

-They're worth that, aren't they?

-£15, then, to get me started.

-No, it's wishful thinking.

-£15, seven of them, £10, then.

Ten, thank you, I'm bid ten there. 12 at the door.

-No, the gent at the door has it. 12, 15?

-Fabulous. That's it!

-You're out. The gent to my right has it.

-Come on.

-Come on!

-Are we all done at £18?

A good result for David.

His brass ladles have outshone Paul's Benson jug.

Benson - Smenson! Rubbish!

So far, Paul isn't making much headway.

Could he get ahead with the Freemasonry books?

£20, then. Come on, for three.

20, thank you, madam. 20 I'm bid with the lady.

22 with the gentleman, and five, 28, 30, and two, 35.

-No, no, no!

-38, 40, and two.

You're out. With the gentleman at £42.

-Are we all done at 42?

-It's not enough.

-45, new bidder. 48.

-No, no.

-Madam?

-Keep going.

-With the gentleman to my left here at £50.

-Don't weaken.

-Five?

-No.

-You're out. With the gentleman. We're selling at £55.

-Wasn't it worth it?

-No!

A great result for Paul.

After a lacklustre start, he's beginning to catch up.

-The Laidlaw is coming back.

-Oooh!

Next, it's time to find out what the bidders think

of David's clay model of Robbie Burns.

£20, then? £20, thank you, sir. I have £20.

-Good taste.

-Any advance at 20? Do we have 22?

-It's with the gentleman at 22.

-Come on.

-Are we all done?

-No!

-22, thank you, sir at the back.

-Yes!

-25?

You're out? That was very quick.

Still the same gentleman, then, at £25.

David had high hopes for that,

but high hopes haven't led to high profits.

A fiver profit on our Robbie Burns. It's ridiculous!

Will David's pond yacht sail him into the lead?

Start me at 20, then? At £20? £20 bid. And two, 25, 28? You're out.

The bid's to my left at £28. At £30, and two.

-35. 38.

-Come on. Come on.

-No, the bid's to my left at 30.

-Come on, no.

-Are you bidding, sir?

£40, new bidder.

-42.

-Everybody'll have a bite of that.

-45?

-Come on.

-48, 50, and five.

-Yes.

-I told you.

-60, and five?

-Yes.

-No, the bid's to my left with the gentleman at £65.

That is a remarkable £40 profit. Well, he did well there.

I've got one more item.

Yeah, and you're not going to do very well with that!

You've had your moment of glory there, mate!

Next, Paul's toy horse is under starter's orders.

Starting on commission at £30, and two.

-35, 38, 40, and two.

-No.

-45. It's your bid, sir, to my left.

48, it's a lady, £50, and five.

-60, and five.

-No.

No, it's now with the lady, we're selling to the room at £65?

Gone.

The horse has bolted,

and significantly boosted Paul's profits.

I have to say, this is neck and neck.

And my big spend's still to come.

Ready to tee off is David's final lot - the golfing set.

-£20, then, to get me started at 20? £20 I'm bid.

-Come on.

-With the gentleman here at 20, I have 22 at the back.

-How dare you!

-25, 28, £30. 32?

-Come on.

-You're out?

-At the very back.

-Come on.

-What is happening here?

-Are we all done at £32? Gone.

-More than enough, drop that hammer.

It's another little profit, it's another little profit.

A proverbial hole-in-one for David, collecting a tidy £12 profit.

It all comes down to the last lot - Paul's Orkney chair.

It was a big purchase, but can it deliver an even bigger profit?

£55, I have here, £60. 65, 70, and five.

£80, and five, at 90.

It's now with the gentleman here, 95.

-It's going to go up from here.

-£100, and ten.

120, 130, 140, 150, 160.

-170, 180.

-Stop, stop!

-You're out, the same gent has it.

-Stop, stop, stop.

-Oh!

-Are we all done?

We're selling, fair warning, £180...

It was a big buy and it hasn't paid off for Paul.

After costs, he'll make a loss on it.

-Big brave man, I like you.

-Come on, let's go.

Auction over, it's time to do the sums.

Paul started with £464.90 and after costs,

made a lamentable profit of just £5.36,

ending the leg with £470.26.

David, however, started with £272.24

and after auction costs,

he made an impressive profit of £52.76,

winning the auction and the leg.

His total now stands at £325.

-You smug boy!

-Do winners drive? Do winners...?

On this trip,

David managed to pull the rug out from his opponent

by shortening the gap and taking the auction glory,

but Paul's still in the overall lead

so it will all come down to the final auction.

How exciting!

Oh, she feels good.

Oh, everything feels good for you right now!