0:00:02 > 0:00:05- It's the nation's favourite antiques experts.- All right, viewers?
0:00:05 > 0:00:08With £200 each, a classic car and a goal -
0:00:08 > 0:00:10to scour Britain for antiques.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12I'm on fire! Yes!
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Sold! Going, going, gone!
0:00:14 > 0:00:16The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction,
0:00:16 > 0:00:18- but it's no mean feat.- Ow!
0:00:18 > 0:00:22- 50p!- There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Tricep dips...
0:00:24 > 0:00:28So will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?
0:00:28 > 0:00:30- Ooh! Oh!- Ah, it's going to be a good one!
0:00:30 > 0:00:32This is the Antiques Road Trip.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Yeah!
0:00:38 > 0:00:40This week's seen our two cheerful chaps
0:00:40 > 0:00:43hit the road on the quest for antique glory.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46But like all good things, this too must come to an end.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Do you know, it's all extremely sad.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52I won't be able to learn off the Grand Master.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55PAUL LAUGHS
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Sensei, Sensei Laidlaw. PAUL CHORTLES
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Yes, Sensei. You have been a worthwhile student...
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Mr Plant.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05- A delicate flower. - A delicate flower!
0:01:05 > 0:01:07You have been a worthy, a worthy student.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Good, good! You think? THEY LAUGH
0:01:10 > 0:01:11Yes.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Paul Laidlaw is indeed a master auctioneer
0:01:14 > 0:01:18and as a self-confessed antiques geek since childhood
0:01:18 > 0:01:20it's no wonder he's topping the leaderboard.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24Don't occupy me, I'm busy. Can't you see I'm working?
0:01:24 > 0:01:26- Have that, Laidlaw. - What are you doing?
0:01:26 > 0:01:30Hot on his heels is auctioneer and valuer Thomas Plant.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33He has a bit of a penchant for jewellery in silver
0:01:33 > 0:01:35and also dressing up.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Man about town, Tomato Plant.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45Are you at all worried, Laidlaw? You know, I've got half your money.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48I could sink half your money into something amazing.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51It's as easy as that? It ain't over!
0:01:51 > 0:01:55It certainly is not but Thomas has some serious catching up to do.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00After four trips to auction, he's turned an initial budget
0:02:00 > 0:02:06of £200 into a very respectable £423.66.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09But Paul has leapt ahead,
0:02:09 > 0:02:13turning his £200 into a rather enormous budget
0:02:13 > 0:02:16of £955.46.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- We've had a laugh, though.- We have had a laugh, yeah, absolutely.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23And we've seen the country, my God, if you think about it.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25Oh, yes.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28They've certainly been clocking up the miles in the Sunbeam Alpine.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Kicking off in Morecambe, Lancashire,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32this trip has taken them over 600 miles
0:02:32 > 0:02:34towards the county town of Bedford.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36On this last leg, they're starting
0:02:36 > 0:02:38in Wendover, Buckinghamshire,
0:02:38 > 0:02:40and will make their way to their final destination
0:02:40 > 0:02:42at auction in Bedford.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46Nestled in the Chiltern Hills, Wendover has held a Royal Charter
0:02:46 > 0:02:52since 1464, which gives it its official market town status.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Oh, good old market town, really, isn't it?
0:02:54 > 0:02:56I just said that...
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Pretty place, you could come and spend an afternoon here.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Well, I hope a morning in Antiques of Wendover
0:03:01 > 0:03:03will suffice, actually, Thomas.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05- Have a good 'un!- And you! Bye-bye!
0:03:08 > 0:03:12- Hello, I'm Thomas.- Hi. Len.- Len, nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- So this is a big centre?- Yes. - Lots of individual dealers.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- Yep, 32 of us.- All right, well, I'll have a good look around.- OK.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23- Thank you very much.- If you need any help.- Thank you.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30He's already found a distraction.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Magnum PI.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36Oh, look. There's some dressing up.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- Lordy.- No, I don't really want to go in drag today.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40Not in a drag mood.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43No dressing up, eh? Pressure to find profitable purchases
0:03:43 > 0:03:46finally getting to you, Thomas?
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Laidlaw's on the tremendous amount.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52You know, he's got, sort of, another £400 above me.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57Unless I find that real gem, it's a tall order.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01It's just a case of looking and looking and looking.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05And not buying with this, your heart, but buying with this.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10While Thomas hunts to his heart's content in Wendover,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12rival Paul's search is also beginning,
0:04:12 > 0:04:15as he heads towards Waddesdon in the Vale of Aylesbury.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21A small village with a history of silk and lace
0:04:21 > 0:04:27and Paul's first opportunity to part with some of that £955 he's holding.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30- Hello there!- Good morning!- I'm Paul. - Good morning, I'm Roger.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- Good to see you, Roger. - And you.- This is yours?- It is, yes.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35- Great stuff.- Yes.- Have you anything military kicking about?
0:04:35 > 0:04:39No, unfortunately. I did have quite a lot of stuff in for you on Friday,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41and then I had a good weekend, so, uh...
0:04:41 > 0:04:42THEY LAUGH
0:04:42 > 0:04:46That's good news for Roger, but with some great stuff gone
0:04:46 > 0:04:48is Paul going to struggle here?
0:04:56 > 0:05:00It seems all that money isn't helping him in the shop.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- It's been a pleasure.- It's been nice to see you.- I wish you well.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- Good to see you.- Yeah, we'll catch you next time. Bye.- Bye.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09Mm, he's being very careful with his cash today.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15But back in Wendover it looks like Thomas is having more success.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17God, that's a stylish set of chess, isn't it?
0:05:17 > 0:05:19They've got lead weights on them.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24I can't tell you what a joy it is to handle a weighted chess piece.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26It really does have a real joy to it.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30These modernist chess pieces are speaking to his heart.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33So with a ticket price of £40, what's his heart saying?
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Mm, a good box. What's the best on those?
0:05:36 > 0:05:38For you, Thomas, 25.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Oh, that's not bad. That's not bad. Let's think about it.
0:05:43 > 0:05:44You should make a profit.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49And now Len's offering up a silver card case. What a helpful chap!
0:05:49 > 0:05:54- It's a pretty little aide-memoire. - Aide-memoire.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Silver hallmarks.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58So you open it up,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00you've got a silk interior
0:06:00 > 0:06:04and you put your calling card case,
0:06:04 > 0:06:05aide-memoire, in there.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10It's quite sweet, really. I quite like the ribbed action to it.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15- That's quite good, isn't it?- Yeah. - Quite nice to be...ribbed.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Another item tickles his fancy,
0:06:18 > 0:06:22but this Victorian aide-memoire
0:06:22 > 0:06:24costs £135.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28Oh, God. Let's not talk about that figure.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32- If you're interested, 60.- OK.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36£15 off the chess set and a £75 reduction on the aide-memoire,
0:06:36 > 0:06:38this is looking good, Thomas!
0:06:38 > 0:06:42I see it at auction at £40-60.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46So if I let you have that for 40, and that for 20...
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- Yep, I'd be...- That would help you? - That would help me dramatically.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- OK, we'll do that.- Will you do that?
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- Yep.- 60 quid, we've got a deal? - Deal.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57That's an absolute dream. Thank you very much.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00I really like the chess set. That's a bit, you know,
0:07:00 > 0:07:05I'm thinking with my head. I've thought with my heart on this.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08So, Thomas leaves with a happy heart and head.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Not to mention, two items with a discount of £115.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Such a great start that he is now intent on taking it easy...
0:07:17 > 0:07:21..and is heading to the village of Quainton to let off some steam.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26He's come to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre to experience
0:07:26 > 0:07:28the heyday of steam travel.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33During the late 19th and early 20th century, train travel,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36for most of us, would involve crowds and cramped seating
0:07:36 > 0:07:39reminiscent of modern Russia.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41But for the more privileged folk,
0:07:41 > 0:07:45carriages were the standard of five-star hotels
0:07:45 > 0:07:48displaying incredible craftsmanship.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51One even became a preferred meeting room
0:07:51 > 0:07:53for two great Second World War commanders.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57And here to give Thomas a taste for the high life is Tony Lister.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- Hi, I'm Thomas. - Good morning and thank you.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Welcome to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07Run by the Quainton Railway Society, a group of railway enthusiasts,
0:08:07 > 0:08:10who have gathered together one of the largest collections
0:08:10 > 0:08:12of its kind in the UK.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17Even this station, dating from 1890, was painstakingly dismantled
0:08:17 > 0:08:22from its home in Oxford and recreated on this site,
0:08:22 > 0:08:24evoking a time when rail travel, for some,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28included dining in opulent carriages.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30This is amazing, it's made to the standard
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- of a sort of gentlemen's club. - Oh, indeed.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37I mean, it is, but that was the standard in 1901.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40That was how they built carriages before the first war,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43when labour was relatively cheap.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46But, you know, no expense is spared. You've got all the inlay work,
0:08:46 > 0:08:50the carvings, the mouldings.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Love these bottle coasters. And very sensible
0:08:52 > 0:08:54because the tables are quite small,
0:08:54 > 0:08:56obviously - we're in a railway carriage,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59so the bottles are out the way, one for wine or water.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- The little menu holder's sweet, isn't it?- Yes.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06And all the extra trimmings. I mean, they lived and ate brilliantly.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Although this carriage was built for first-class dining,
0:09:09 > 0:09:13it was also used by servants as part of the Royal Train.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15And if this is the servants' quarters,
0:09:15 > 0:09:19I can't imagine where the Queen takes her tea!
0:09:19 > 0:09:24It's amazing that the servants would be eating in this sumptuous,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26I suppose, you know, surroundings.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28And the Royals would have exactly the same.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30Almost identical, if better, or...?
0:09:30 > 0:09:33They did to start with. It was two identical vehicles
0:09:33 > 0:09:36which went in the Royal Train. Another one just the same as this.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39So that was modernised in 1941, internally.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Oh, really? And this was always there?
0:09:41 > 0:09:44This is the original 1901 survivor.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47It was only used by the servants, so we didn't need to modernise it.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Another proud part of the centre's collection
0:09:50 > 0:09:53is this special saloon from the 1940s.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57It was built for use by the Royals and VIPs,
0:09:57 > 0:10:01but carriages like this became important mobile offices
0:10:01 > 0:10:06during the war and this one has a very special claim to fame.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11Initially, it was used during the war for meetings with Churchill,
0:10:11 > 0:10:13and between Churchill and Eisenhower,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16planning, who knows, the invasion of Europe?
0:10:16 > 0:10:19So, Tony, what do you think the advantages were
0:10:19 > 0:10:22by using trains and carriages as this in wartime?
0:10:22 > 0:10:26It's a self-contained vehicle. It's harder to hit, to bomb,
0:10:26 > 0:10:28strafe, whatever, a moving train
0:10:28 > 0:10:30than it is to hit a stationary building.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32It's absolute opulence.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35There's space,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38there's a boardroom, there's a sitting room,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41your own private compartment, etc.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Well, Thomas, you do seem very much at home
0:10:44 > 0:10:47amongst Churchill's soft furnishings,
0:10:47 > 0:10:49but Tony has one more thing to show you
0:10:49 > 0:10:51and it looks a little less comfortable.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- Who would have used this?- The single seater was for the inspector
0:10:55 > 0:10:58to go out and see how his men were getting on down the line.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02So he, poor chap, didn't have to walk all the way.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Known as a velocipede tricycle,
0:11:04 > 0:11:08this was made in America, around 1889.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11And, incredibly, 120 years later, it still works.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14So with a tendency to give everything a go,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16I can only guess what's coming next.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23Just as I suspected.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- Let me give you a push. - Right, so...
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- That'll set you off.- Here I go.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35Oh! I'll tell you what, it's hard work, this.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41But, Laidlaw, I've got it. And I'm coming for you.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Ha-ha-ha, that's fighting talk, Thomas.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48But on the open road, rival Paul is unaware of this impending doom
0:11:48 > 0:11:52and is powering towards the once-Roman settlement
0:11:52 > 0:11:53of Fenny Stratford.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58A busy market town until the 17th century, Fenny Stratford
0:11:58 > 0:12:03has now been part of Milton Keynes for almost 40 years.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06And without a lot to his name, Paul's got high hopes
0:12:06 > 0:12:10for his second shopping adventure in Fenny Antiques Centre,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13under the watchful eyes of Mags.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16I've bought nothing thus far, today.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19And here's me with it all to do.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23So don't occupy me, I'm busy. Can't you see I'm working?
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Oh, my. All that money's gone to his head.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29That's some pair of shears, is it not?
0:12:29 > 0:12:32These Victorian, Baroque-style scissors have Paul's attention
0:12:32 > 0:12:36and a ticket price of £32.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38What are you telling us? Cased ceremonial scissors.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40I dare say if you were going to...
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- POSH VOICE:- I open this supermarket...
0:12:43 > 0:12:46..they would fit the bill.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49How interesting. Good stuff. Great.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51If you know what you're looking for,
0:12:51 > 0:12:54it's no surprise that there's a Stanhope
0:12:54 > 0:12:56at the heart of this little card.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01Bone...or composition cross, that remains to be seen.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06But what draws me is the fact that the label tells me
0:13:06 > 0:13:10that this Stanhope has images of the 1418 War in it.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15That's what I am interested in. There you go.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18A Stanhope is a system for viewing pictures in miniature,
0:13:18 > 0:13:20and with a connection to the First World War,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23military-mad Paul's taken with this little piece.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26I like the subject matter. Not bad.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29This is...I'm certainly in the zone.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32We've by no means broken the back of this exercise,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35I doubt we're a third of the way through it.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39And look at the cracking, interesting little objects we're finding.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Between you and me, very viable and the prices are all right.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47This place is getting him all fired up.
0:13:48 > 0:13:55That is a little bit of early Cold War decadence.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57I think it taps into this '40s chic.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00On the front, a map. It's a map of Germany,
0:14:00 > 0:14:04but it's a divided Germany.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07The third object of his affections is this 1940s
0:14:07 > 0:14:10nickel-plated cigarette case and lighter.
0:14:10 > 0:14:15There's another military connection and a pretty small price tag of £10.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19And the items keep coming.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21A lovely, lovely pot.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27The world's full of good Doulton stoneware pots,
0:14:27 > 0:14:31which is a problem but that, I think, is utterly divine.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34And yours for £35.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41I am spoiled for choice, Mags.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43He's like the cat that's got the cream.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Have a look at this black cat.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Crazy, terrified look about him,
0:14:48 > 0:14:50which I find really charming.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54What I find more charming is the little stud in the ear.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56And you don't have to tell me
0:14:56 > 0:15:01which prestigious firm manufacturing bears,
0:15:01 > 0:15:06uses as its trademark device, a little stud in the ear.
0:15:06 > 0:15:07It is, of course, Stieff.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11This German company started trading in 1880
0:15:11 > 0:15:14with many products now highly prized.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18So with a price of only £45, this one is worth considering. Meow.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24For something of age, and that's now, what, 60 years old?
0:15:24 > 0:15:28I suspect uncommon because I've not encountered one before.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Stieff cat, not a bear, a cat.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35I think we're ticking a lot of strong boxes here
0:15:35 > 0:15:37and I'm liking that. Right...
0:15:37 > 0:15:40It seems you're liking quite a lot here, Paul.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45The Victorian scissors, the First World War period rosary Stanhope,
0:15:45 > 0:15:47the 1940s cigarette case and lighter,
0:15:47 > 0:15:51the early-20th-century Royal Doulton vase
0:15:51 > 0:15:54and the 1950s black cat.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58So with five items now on his short list
0:15:58 > 0:16:00and a total value of £160,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03it's time to talk money with Mags.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06I...am...
0:16:06 > 0:16:08going to offer you...
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- ..£100 the lot.- 110.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16- No, I'm digging my heels in. - Oh, come on! - HE LAUGHS
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- So am I!- You're good.- 110.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- Are we shaking hands at 105?- OK.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26- Wonderful, Mags.- No problem.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30You sold me five things! Oh, what am I going to do now?
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Wonderful, that's a great little haul.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35So that's five items for £105.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Great for Paul but Thomas needs his rival to take more of a risk
0:16:38 > 0:16:42with his money, if he stands a chance of catching up with him.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46Maybe tomorrow Paul won't play it so safe. Sleep well, chaps.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50It's a new day on the road
0:16:50 > 0:16:52and our boys are battling through the morning fog.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57We're pretty cool, driving around in a car,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00open top, in the fog.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02We have not seen a drop of rain.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- Oh, come on!- We have no roof. We require no roof.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Blessed, this is another facet to our idyllic lives.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- Well, act naturally.- We don't see rain.- We don't see - we're too cool!
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- They're drenched. Us? - We're too cool for rain! THEY LAUGH
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Not exactly how I'd describe you, chaps...
0:17:20 > 0:17:25but at least they're still making each other laugh.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28And they do have quite a bit to show for their exploits on this trip
0:17:28 > 0:17:31as yesterday Paul picked up five items
0:17:31 > 0:17:34in that last shop for only £105.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39He still has a grand total of £850.46 to spend today,
0:17:39 > 0:17:42if he can be persuaded to part with it.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44But with it all to do,
0:17:44 > 0:17:48Thomas spent £60 on the modernist chess set
0:17:48 > 0:17:50and Victorian aide-memoire.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55So he's got £363.66 to challenge his rival's lead.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00This morning, they're starting in Bletchley, which like
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Fenny Stratford, is now part of Milton Keynes.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08The town grew with the arrival of the railways in the 19th century.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10It's now synonymous with code-breaking
0:18:10 > 0:18:13during the Second World War at Bletchley Park.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19It's also recognised as the place where some of the earliest computers
0:18:19 > 0:18:23were used to break encrypted messages of the Hitler regime.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29These revolutionary devices have now grown to dominate
0:18:29 > 0:18:31almost every aspect of our modern lives.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34They've changed the way we communicate, move around the planet
0:18:34 > 0:18:37and played a major role in globalisation.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41In fact, life without them is almost unimaginable.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47But back in Bletchley, in the 1940s, they only did one thing.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51Paul's come to the National Museum of Computing to find out
0:18:51 > 0:18:55how these machines went from top-secret code-breakers
0:18:55 > 0:18:58to one of the world's most used objects,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01with the help of museum curator Kevin Murrell.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- Hello! Is it Kevin?- Hello, Paul.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- Good to see you.- How are you doing?
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- That's a toy.- It is. This is the Colossus computer.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11This is the machine that was developed in the middle
0:19:11 > 0:19:17of the Second World War to decrypt the most secure transmissions
0:19:17 > 0:19:20from the, sort of, Berlin headquarters
0:19:20 > 0:19:22- of the Nazi regime.- Right.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Previously, people had been able to decrypt messages slowly by hand,
0:19:25 > 0:19:29but this level of messages required automation.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32So this is the first electronic computer
0:19:32 > 0:19:34that was built to solve that problem.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Colossus was designed by telephone engineer Tommy Flowers
0:19:39 > 0:19:42who had the idea of using electronics
0:19:42 > 0:19:44to power an automated machine.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46This allowed workers at Bletchley Park
0:19:46 > 0:19:49to decode each message in about six hours.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Something that had previously taken six weeks.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59We're doing this here at Bletchley, during the war
0:19:59 > 0:20:01and it's top-secret.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06Is there anything comparable going on, albeit in isolation, elsewhere?
0:20:06 > 0:20:10Not quite to the same degree. The Americans were here as well.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13There was quite a team of Americans working here.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15No-one could take one of these with them.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17No-one could take the circuit diagrams.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20But everyone left with the knowledge of the fact that
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- you could build a machine on this scale to do that job.- Yeah.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Although cutting edge for its time,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Colossus was designed to perform one task.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30But a major breakthrough came a few years later
0:20:30 > 0:20:35when engineers at the Harwell Atomic Energy Research Establishment,
0:20:35 > 0:20:37in nearby Oxfordshire, designed a machine
0:20:37 > 0:20:40that could be programmed for multiple uses.
0:20:40 > 0:20:46And this 2.5 tonne Harwell Dekatron computer was the result.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48This is a general purpose computer,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- so, in principle, it can do anything we want.- Yeah.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- Unlike Colossus, which is very much tailored to that one job.- I see.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59Originally designed to do mathematical calculations,
0:20:59 > 0:21:02programs punched into paper tape could be loaded
0:21:02 > 0:21:05into the machine's memory to tell the computer what to do.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08In this case, it's the two times table.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Whoa, what a noise!
0:21:11 > 0:21:14You know what that noise is? That's Robbie the Robot thinking, isn't it?
0:21:14 > 0:21:17Well, it hasn't even begun... to the thinking stage yet.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20What it's doing, it's reading that program into these,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23into the memory of the computer,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25and this is the memory of the computer.
0:21:25 > 0:21:31This is the oldest original, working electronic-stored program computer in the world.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35It only has the memory to store the equivalent of a few lines
0:21:35 > 0:21:39of e-mail, but its significance cannot be underestimated.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43It's functionally - it's identical to every modern computer.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45- Just a bit bigger. - Just a lot bigger.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47And you should see the size of the batteries!
0:21:49 > 0:21:53I've loved this. I'm never going to forget these beasts or you.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- Thank you very much for coming. - Thank you very much.- Cheers. - All the best.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01It's incredible to think that work by engineers and mathematicians
0:22:01 > 0:22:04only 70 years ago has led to these devices
0:22:04 > 0:22:07becoming part of our everyday lives.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08And back in the Sunbeam,
0:22:08 > 0:22:12Thomas is calculating his own life-changing victory.
0:22:12 > 0:22:18So this is it, it's the last day. My final chance,
0:22:18 > 0:22:22in two shops, to find the grail
0:22:22 > 0:22:27to beat the Laidlaw which will change our trip
0:22:27 > 0:22:29and maybe the course of history.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Eh! Steady on there, Thomas!
0:22:31 > 0:22:33So, apparently, great things await
0:22:33 > 0:22:35in the next destination of Ampthill.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42This popular historic town has held a weekly market for over 750 years.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47But Thomas has come for a snoop around Ampthill Antiques Centre,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49with the help of Libby.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Libby. So are you the...in charge? - I'm the manager.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54- You're the aficionado?- Yes.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Do you keep them all under control? - Well, I'm supposed to.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- How many dealers have you got? - 56.- 56?- Yeah.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04You must have a long stick to poke them with sometimes?
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Well, yeah, you have to lose your cool now and again.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Oh, I wouldn't get on the wrong side of her, mate.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12This is what it's like to have long legs. It's extraordinary.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14Very fetching.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18The last and final day
0:23:18 > 0:23:22of this leg of the road trip and it's been fabulous.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24I've loved it.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29I've enjoyed it so much I'm going to put another helmet on.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37I'm getting armed up and ready to fight the Laidlaw.
0:23:37 > 0:23:42Last day or not, he'll never pass up an opportunity to try things on.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45What am I doing? I'm meant to be shopping for antiques,
0:23:45 > 0:23:48not for shirts for myself. Do you know, that's my size.
0:23:48 > 0:23:49Ooh-rah!
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Come on, Thomas! Oh, what's he found now?
0:23:52 > 0:23:56Kingfisher. Kingfisher waders.
0:23:56 > 0:23:57Are you going fishing for antiques?
0:24:00 > 0:24:05What do you think? If I turned up to the reveal with waders,
0:24:05 > 0:24:07do you think Paul would notice?
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Man about town, Tomato Plant.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16To stand a chance of winning, Thomas, you'd better get shopping.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21That's a bit more like it.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24There's this very cool lighter.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28It's in Perspex, inset with shells, here,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30and looking like an aquarium or the sea bed.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Copying, you know, the Dunhill ones.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36- That's right.- But, you know, certainly, in that Sputnik form.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38And there are collectors for lighters out there.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41- He's got 40...- 44 on the ticket. - ..44 on it. Yeah.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45OK, well that's something one can think about.
0:24:45 > 0:24:46Ah, what a bright spark, eh?
0:24:46 > 0:24:50He's found a 1960s aquarium-style table lighter
0:24:50 > 0:24:52with a price tag of £44.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54And I think there's a theme developing here.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Cigar stationery set.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02- So, all intents and purposes, this is your cigar.- Mm-hmm.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Then you pull it off at the end,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08and you've got a bookmark,
0:25:08 > 0:25:12bone handle pencil, dip pen and paper knife.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17- And are they nibs? - Nibs. Oh, yeah, nibs.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Well, that's quite fun, isn't it?
0:25:19 > 0:25:22So that's at 55 and that's at 44.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24- That makes, sort of, 90.- Yeah.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29At the moment, 10% - £5 and £4, but I can ring Alex...
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- Could you ring Alex?- ..and see if he'd be prepared to do a better deal.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34That would be really helpful.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Two objects from one cabinet, but will owner Alex cut him
0:25:37 > 0:25:40a good deal over the phone?
0:25:40 > 0:25:43One is 55 and one is 44.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48If you clump them together, maybe we can get a good price.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52I think the cigar's great fun. With all the little bits in there.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58It's a sort of unusual object and the unusual sells.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01OK, thank you, Alex. Bye-bye.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04So has she whipped that price into shape?
0:26:04 > 0:26:09- Well, Thomas, we've got them for £70 for the two.- 70 for the two?- Yeah.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12That's awesome. That's very good of him, isn't it?
0:26:12 > 0:26:15- Yes, that is very kind. - That is very, very kind.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- Yeah, we'll have those for £70 for the two.- OK, thank you.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22Well, thank you very much. That's an absolute dream, you know. Awesome.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Even after all that mucking about, he's on fire
0:26:25 > 0:26:28with these two unusual pieces for £70.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32And back on the road with Paul, they head to the market town
0:26:32 > 0:26:35of Olney in the borough of Milton Keynes.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40The town's fame, in part, coming from the annual pancake race,
0:26:40 > 0:26:42held here since the 15th century.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Annual race! I want to get in there.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50This is our last chance to dazzle.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Your last hurrah.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56The last shop of the trip is a whopper, where manager Nick
0:26:56 > 0:26:59and some 50 dealers-worth of antiques await.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Going to get hot. Oh, look at this.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12- Here he goes again. - I feel like Shaft. It's cool.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18I can't express how much stuff there is.
0:27:18 > 0:27:23So, really, it's a good idea to have a good look round then focus in.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27- And get fit at the same time. - Oh, my...
0:27:29 > 0:27:33How much have I got left? £800-and-odd left.
0:27:33 > 0:27:38And five purchases in hand. Yeah. How badly wrong can it go?
0:27:38 > 0:27:43Touch wood, though. If Thomas finds that diamond solitaire for a fiver...
0:27:43 > 0:27:46- Plant, come here.- Laidlaw, what are you doing?- Come here.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Described as brass for a fiver.
0:27:48 > 0:27:49HE LAUGHS
0:27:49 > 0:27:52That's your wedding band.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55- Right.- It looks like Paul's not risking any more of his cash,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58so the pressure's on Thomas to find that last lot
0:27:58 > 0:28:01that can challenge his rival's lead.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05Rare octagonal, silver-plated, decorated Masonic snuffbox
0:28:05 > 0:28:10with a verse stating the oak came from the 600-year Glasgow Cathedral in 1870.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14Looks, it says here: "I am an outcast from the house of God
0:28:14 > 0:28:17"and I have become a casing stock in the hands of a man.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21"And part of my remains made this snuffbox."
0:28:22 > 0:28:26Ah, there we are, look, there's snuff in there. Look at that.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29A bit of snuff.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32What a fabulous thing.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35There's snuff in there!
0:28:35 > 0:28:36- Isn't that exciting?- Wow.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42His heart's fallen for the £155 snuffbox,
0:28:42 > 0:28:44so Nick gets on the phone to the dealer.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47This could really help me against Paul
0:28:47 > 0:28:51in the quest of thrashing him
0:28:51 > 0:28:55and nip it at the last with the help, with the help of the Masons.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00- It was 155.- Yes. - Trade of 15 makes 140.- Yeah, yeah.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04- And she says she can go down to 120. - 120. She couldn't do 100?
0:29:04 > 0:29:08- No.- A neat £100?- She can't. Unfortunately.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10- 10?- All right, 110.
0:29:10 > 0:29:15- Why not 100 now?- I can't! I can't! I really, really, really can't.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17- 110?- 110.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19- We've got a deal, that's it. - Fantastic.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23For the first time on the trip, Thomas spends big
0:29:23 > 0:29:27and Paul's bought small, but how will they fancy each other's lots?
0:29:27 > 0:29:29It's time to gather for the big reveal.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33I want to see, I want to see.
0:29:33 > 0:29:38- Laidlaw. Well, what have you been buying?- Don't you be surprised!
0:29:38 > 0:29:41What have you been buying? Laidlaw, this is so un-you.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44You've bought a black cat for good luck. HE LAUGHS
0:29:44 > 0:29:48- You madman.- I won't need it. - A rosary.- Yep.- Because you need...
0:29:48 > 0:29:51And I won't need that either.
0:29:51 > 0:29:57- If I touch it, my skin will burn. - Right. A Stanhope. Great War.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00The ruins of Albert, 1916.
0:30:01 > 0:30:07- Yeah, OK, OK. My fingers are slightly singed.- So double your quote.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09- £20.- That's amazing.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13- But I really love that... - I like that. It's a good thing.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17- Lighters are popular at the moment. - Yep. I think it gets me...
0:30:17 > 0:30:20- What do you mean, it gets you? - Over a grand.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23You think this will get you over a grand? Is that what you've done?
0:30:24 > 0:30:29You've not risked it because you want to get over a grand.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31What about this?
0:30:31 > 0:30:36- Should I be worried?- Can I just do one or two things?
0:30:36 > 0:30:38Yeah, OK, reveal.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- What?- Come on.- A fiver.- 15 quid.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45- Shut up. What did you pay for them? - 20 quid.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48- Behave yourself!- No, no, I did!- That was an aberration, Thomas.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50- No, it wasn't. - The rest I'm intrigued by.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55- This Sputnik...- Yes.- Your fruits of the seas...- Yes.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58- '50s, kitsch...- '60s, yeah. - ..love it to bits.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00Penguin lighter.
0:31:00 > 0:31:01- I'm going to handle this.- Go on.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- Oh, that's nicely done. How much did you pay for it?- 110.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11I think it's a shrewd, speculative purchase.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15- I can't believe you've done that... - What?- Just to make over that grand,
0:31:15 > 0:31:18- that's so...- No, I didn't! They were the best things I could buy!
0:31:18 > 0:31:23Stieff and Stanhopes and victory!
0:31:23 > 0:31:24- Come on.- Come on.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28Can Paul nudge it over £1,000?
0:31:28 > 0:31:32And will Thomas' big-spending prove profitable?
0:31:32 > 0:31:33Give us the lowdown then, chaps.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36He thinks I'm being strategic in my buying.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39I'm really gutted because I genuinely did not.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42I went out to buy the best things I could
0:31:42 > 0:31:46with the most likelihood of making some profit.
0:31:46 > 0:31:51Laidlaw has only spent £105 on mediocre items.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54Does Tom think he could win this auction?
0:31:54 > 0:31:55Nah!
0:31:57 > 0:32:01I hope he does it, but I hope my Masonic piece sails!
0:32:01 > 0:32:03So, they've returned to the comforts of the Sunbeam
0:32:03 > 0:32:07and for this last journey to auction the rain appears
0:32:07 > 0:32:10and the roof goes on for the first time.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13How are you going to cope without me?
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Are you going to wake up in the morning and go, "Oh, no!
0:32:16 > 0:32:19"I miss him so much!" PAUL LAUGHS
0:32:20 > 0:32:22Their final destination of this trip is Bedford,
0:32:22 > 0:32:24the county town of Bedfordshire.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30With the River Great Ouse running through its centre,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33the town was once a centre of the lace industry,
0:32:33 > 0:32:38something that's reflected in this abstract statue erected in 2009.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41But we're here for some antiques action,
0:32:41 > 0:32:44at W&H Peacock Auctioneers and Valuers,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47who've been in Bedford for over 100 years.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54No, no, no, no! Laidlaw! Watch your head.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56So, who's got the upper hand in this final showdown?
0:32:56 > 0:33:01We asked auctioneer Lindsay Vintiner for her thoughts.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05My favourite is the aquarium lighter. It's not a Dunhill.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08If it was, we'd be talking thousands of pounds.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10That sort of 1970s legs,
0:33:10 > 0:33:13that'll appeal to the younger buyers amongst us.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17I think the Masonic snuffbox will make the most money,
0:33:17 > 0:33:19if the buyers are here today.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22She's got her eyes on two of Thomas' lots,
0:33:22 > 0:33:27which, together with the other three, cost him a total of £240.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31Despite his massive budget, Paul only parted with £105
0:33:31 > 0:33:33and is also presenting five lots.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35And so with the end in sight,
0:33:35 > 0:33:37the auction begins.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41Oh, man, it's going to be hard. I know, is it getting to you too?
0:33:41 > 0:33:43Yeah, hugely.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45And Paul's praying he can edge it
0:33:45 > 0:33:46over the £1,000 mark
0:33:46 > 0:33:47with his offerings.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54OK, Lot 60 now then, is the Stanhope viewer. £20, starting me, surely?
0:33:54 > 0:34:00I've got £10 only bid now, 10, £10 now. 12 anywhere else? 12? 14?
0:34:00 > 0:34:02At £14 now, the bid's on commission this time.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04She's going to sell it for £14!
0:34:04 > 0:34:09- 16, lady's bid now, 16. 18. - This is hard work, is it not?
0:34:09 > 0:34:15Another bid's on £18 only. 20, at 20 now. 22. £22 now.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19- It's washed its face. - On commission, £22.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21I'm afraid, after costs are deducted,
0:34:21 > 0:34:23this first lot's fallen from grace.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26- Ah, 22 quid.- Paul, that was a roller coaster.
0:34:27 > 0:34:32Now for the chess set that confused Paul but captured Thomas' heart.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34Here we go. I'm loving this.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38Commission bids, start me at £20 for the set now.
0:34:38 > 0:34:3920, at £20 now.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42The bid's on commission at £20. I need two in the room.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44You're all out. On commission, at just £20 only.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49One lonely bid - stalemate.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52- That's a total result. What's the face for?- I paid 20 for it.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55- 18 quid more than it should've been! - Shut up!
0:34:55 > 0:34:57Ooh-err! Tensions are rising.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Can Paul's lighter and cigarette case
0:34:59 > 0:35:02do any better than his last lot?
0:35:02 > 0:35:07- £50 for it.- Oh, I like her style. I like her optimism.- Deary me.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- £20, thank you, sir.- Oh, 20!- At £20 now. That's a start, I suppose.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14£20 now, bids here. 22, 22, 24, 24,
0:35:14 > 0:35:2026, 28, at 28. 30, 32, £32 now.
0:35:20 > 0:35:21The bid's to my left at £32.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26Things are picking up with that respectable profit.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30What did that make? 24 quid, 26 quid?
0:35:30 > 0:35:33- No, 34!- It did! It didn't, did it? - Yes.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37- Oh, I'll take that. - Maybe 34, 32, maybe.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39You won't be so cheeky now your silver case
0:35:39 > 0:35:42is going under the hammer, Thomas.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44It's going to make £100. Less charges, 80.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47- You're going to make 40 quid profit here.- £50, start me.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51Must be 50, nice silver lot, this. 30 to get going.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55- Get started.- Two ladies bidding now, 32. 34.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58Lady's bid. Private interest would do you.
0:35:58 > 0:36:0340, Madame. 40. At 40, 45. 45, 50.
0:36:03 > 0:36:0650, 55. 60, 65. At 60.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10- Oh, look at this.- That's it. I told you.- No.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14A new bidder here now, 70. Gentleman here at £70.
0:36:14 > 0:36:15That's a decent profit
0:36:15 > 0:36:19but he's still got a mountain to climb to reach Paul's heady heights.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23- That was a bargain.- Well, it's a profit.- 30, call it a 30 quid profit.
0:36:24 > 0:36:29Paul's got high hopes for his next lot, but can the Stieff cat deliver?
0:36:30 > 0:36:34I love its pose. It looks like me in the morning. There we go.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38£20, start me for it. 20. Must be a tenner, surely, then?
0:36:38 > 0:36:4210, lady's bid, thank you now. 12 online now. At 14, 14.
0:36:42 > 0:36:48- I am going down in flames today. - At £14 now. 16 behind now, 16. 18.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52At £18 now. It's the lady in the front. 20. At 20. At 20 now.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55It's behind now. It's a lady's bid, at £20.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01They just don't see it for what it is. It's another loss.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03Aw. I'm not having a good day.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07Now Thomas needs some big profits from his lighter.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Interesting lot, this. Had a fair bit of interest, this.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12I have got loads of bids here.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17- Start this at £1,100.- How much?!
0:37:17 > 0:37:22- She's joking.- 1,100. I'm just joking, actually.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24I'm just joking, I'm sorry.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26Just trying to wind you all up.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29Auctioneers aren't normally known for playing tricks,
0:37:29 > 0:37:31just as well Thomas is such a good sport.
0:37:32 > 0:37:38- I have got just a fiver start here now.- Ah, that's more realistic.
0:37:38 > 0:37:43- At 5, 6, 8. - What a cheeky soul!
0:37:43 > 0:37:50Now 8. At £8 now. I've got a commission bid. 10, 12, at £12 now.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54- 14.- Did you ask her to do that? - Yeah.- Good man. That was hilarious.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58Online at £22.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02What fun. It's not £1,100, it's not even a profit.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07For that fleeting moment, you thought you'd turned it there.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09I thought to myself, "Poor Paul."
0:38:09 > 0:38:12- That's what went into my mind, was poor Paul.- And now I feel terrible.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16Will dirty trickster Paul's fortunes turn around now?
0:38:16 > 0:38:20Every home should have a pair of these. £20 for the scissors.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Tenner then, surely, for these?
0:38:22 > 0:38:25Ten, lady's bid, thank you.
0:38:25 > 0:38:2912, online now. At 12, 14. At 14, 16.
0:38:29 > 0:38:3118. At £18.
0:38:33 > 0:38:38You know, I don't think Paul's experienced loss like this before.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41This is not a good sale for you, is it? Oh, Laidlaw.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45Well, Thomas, you're winning this auction so can you widen your lead?
0:38:45 > 0:38:48£20 for it, surely?
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Tenner then, anyone? Cigar?
0:38:50 > 0:38:51- Come on, it's worth...- Come on.
0:38:51 > 0:38:5510, thank you, online now. 10. 12. At £12 now.
0:38:55 > 0:38:5714. At £14 now,
0:38:57 > 0:39:0116, 18, 18 now, 20, at £20 now.
0:39:01 > 0:39:02In the room here.
0:39:02 > 0:39:0722, 22, at 22, 24.
0:39:07 > 0:39:08Two people online now.
0:39:08 > 0:39:1224, bid's online. 26. Room bid now, 28.
0:39:12 > 0:39:1530. 32, 34, 36.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17At £36 now.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Ooh, yes. I can't believe it.
0:39:19 > 0:39:20£38 now, online.
0:39:20 > 0:39:2540, £40, 45 online at £45.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32It's profit but not enough to worry rival Paul.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34- I thought the aquarium lighter was going to do really well.- Yeah.
0:39:34 > 0:39:39And then that, that horror thing, the thing I say is terrible makes 45.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43Basically, it shows us up for the complete fools that we are.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48- Paul's last lot is his 20th-century vase.- Here we go.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Lots of internet interest and I'm forced to start the bidding at...
0:39:51 > 0:39:54- £10 for this only now. - Wishful thinking, perhaps.
0:39:54 > 0:39:5812, 14, 16, 18,
0:39:58 > 0:39:5920, 22,
0:39:59 > 0:40:0224. It's a gentleman's bid.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04Just £24.
0:40:05 > 0:40:10He didn't gamble with his cash and what he did part with he's lost.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12The last lot is Thomas' big hope.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17He needs this snuffbox to make over £633 to win this road trip.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21- It is a big ask.- It's going to bomb. - Good luck.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24£50 starting now. 50.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26£50 now is that all you've got?
0:40:26 > 0:40:2855, 60, at 60,
0:40:28 > 0:40:3170, 75 online now, 75.
0:40:31 > 0:40:3580, 85, 90 on commission now.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39The snuffbox now, 95,
0:40:39 > 0:40:44£100 now, 110, 120, 130, 130, 140.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47- It's looking good, Thomas.- Yes!
0:40:47 > 0:40:49150, 150. There's two bidders online now.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52150, 160. 170, 180,
0:40:52 > 0:40:56- 190, 200, 210.- Hats off, man. It's still going, 220!
0:40:56 > 0:41:01At 210 now, 220, it's online at £220.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05Well, he's doubled his money
0:41:05 > 0:41:08and that profit means Thomas is today's auction champion.
0:41:08 > 0:41:13- Yes!- Thomas, hats off, man. - Yes!- Well done!
0:41:13 > 0:41:18Thomas is taking victory on this last leg, starting with £423.66,
0:41:18 > 0:41:23he's made profits of £69.14 after auction house costs,
0:41:23 > 0:41:27so ends the trip with £492.80.
0:41:28 > 0:41:33Paul began with £955.46. Despite a loss of £9.88
0:41:33 > 0:41:36and not quite reaching the thousand pound mark,
0:41:36 > 0:41:42Paul has won this road trip with a total of £945.58.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45All profits are donated to Children In Need.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48So good work, chaps.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50You stole it there, man!
0:41:50 > 0:41:52What a way to go out.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56That joke you played! That was fabulous.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58I took it - hook, line and sinker.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- I would say sorry but I'm not! - No, don't be.
0:42:01 > 0:42:06- It was magic. Absolutely magic. - Way to go, taking the last one.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- Aw, it was fun.- Good result, man. - Yeah, good result.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13- Are you driving?- Yeah, I want to drive! I'm feeling good.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17And so you should because what a week it's been.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19From Morecambe to Bedford,
0:42:19 > 0:42:23we've been witness to a boisterous battle for antiques glory.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26- Have that, Laidlaw! - Ah, I'm in the void!
0:42:26 > 0:42:29While one expert hasn't taken his eye off the ball.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Spotted because of my antiques sixth sense.
0:42:32 > 0:42:33Of course I'm going to put it on.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37The other has tried on everything he can find.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39I fancy being a fireman today.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41I'll be back.
0:42:41 > 0:42:42Ooh-rah!
0:42:42 > 0:42:46- There's been some big risks. - It's just fantastic.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50- And even bigger rewards. - Man, what a sale!
0:42:50 > 0:42:54But through it all, they've remained the best of friends.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56- You are magic.- Don't hug me, don't hug me.
0:42:56 > 0:42:57You are magic.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08Next time on the Antiques Road Trip, old friends are reunited.
0:43:08 > 0:43:12The cool, calm and collected Mark Stacey.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14- We're going to have fun.- Yes.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18- And the hot, hot, hot Catherine Southon.- Ooh!
0:43:18 > 0:43:20I'm on fire! Yes!