NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antique experts.

Yeah.

Super cool.

How about that?

NARRATOR: Behind the wheel of a classic car.

[LAUGHTER] And a goal to scar Britain for antiques.

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

But it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners.

Yes.

NARRATOR: And valiant losers.

You lost it.

NARRATOR: Will it be the high road to glory, or a slow road to disaster?

Oh my god!

Something's wrong with the car!

NARRATOR: This is the "Antique Road Trip."

Yeah, baby.

Welcome to the further adventures of super experts in a super minx.

Well, it's that a bird of prey over there?

Or is it just a pigeon?

Oh, it is.

It's an eagle.

NARRATOR: It's a drone, actually.

Well, they may not be ornithologists, but dealer Stephanie Connell and auctioneer Charlie Ross do know awful lot about stuff.

CHARLIE ROSS: Do you want a really random fact?

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Yes.

Vincent van Gogh lived in Ramsgate in 1876.

Did he?

Very, very much.

NARRATOR: But he didn't live that long.

Super impressed, you should be.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: [LAUGHTER] Super relevant too because they're currently pointed towards that very destination in their early 1960s Hillman.

CHARLIE ROSS: I can remember driving around in cars like this.

I was 14.

You were 14?

The Beatles were number one.

Yeah?

Wacky times the '60s.

NARRATOR: Far out, man.

Part time cultural historian and road trip regular, Ross.

Left, right.

Left, right.

Left, right.

NARRATOR: Has a soft spot for a proper antique.

Victorian will do, but Georgian would be better.

While NARRATOR: Debutant Steph, film aficionado and former Bonhams auctioneer.

Antiques.

NARRATOR: She's a specialist in entertainment memorabilia, which is handy on this program.

They're stylish and they're fun.

So in your vast experience, what is the most exciting thing you've ever sold?

In New York, we sold the Maltese Falcon, the original prop from the film.

And it was-- I think it was $3.5 million.

It is the most expensive movie prop that had ever been sold.

NARRATOR: True.

She does know a bit about birds, Falcon, get it?

But what about the cane from "Citizen Kane"?

Just kidding.

But I think you're settling into it very nicely.

Oh, thank you, Charlie.

Four auctions to go.

If I can lose it the rate that I'm losing, I have about three quid less by the end.

NARRATOR: Yes.

Stephanie started out with 100 pounds, has just 157 pounds and 68 p right now.

Though Charlie, who [INAUDIBLE] son is sitting on 268 pounds and 26 pence.

I'm wondering whether to give you advice, but you never want to take advice from a man with a track record like Marcus.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Do you know, he's got a point.

I think the football term is [INAUDIBLE] Oh, past solid fourth from Sevenoaks with an awful lot of Kent on their itinerary.

Then they take the route both North and West, journeying through the Cotswolds and visiting Wales before heading back East to reach their final destination in Leicestershire at Market Harborough.

Today, they'll be taking their words to an auction in Greenwich, but they do have to buy them first, which is where Ramsgate comes in out on the Isle of Thanet, on Kent's Northeast tip, an immortalized Ian Dories song, (SINGING) I'll rendezvous with Janet, quite near the Isle of Thanet.

CHARLIE ROSS: Look!

That must be the shop.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: It must be the shop.

CHARLIE ROSS: He's got-- he's got a mandolin or something.

We need someone to-- Hello.

I'll see you in a minute, sir.

NARRATOR: No setting down here.

He'll be back.

Arch 16 looks hard to resist, doesn't it?

Put that down.

You must be Oliver.

Are you Oliver?

- Yes.

Lovely to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

You're going to serenade me?

No, I'm a piano player, so-- Well anybody that's musical could play one of those.

It's a brilliant guitar, and we got-- we got nice string here.

- Who is this this?

- And this Thomas.

Hello, lad.

- Thomas, lovely to meet you.

- Charlie?

And you too.

NARRATOR: Enough of that sincere chat.

You'll have your work cut out in this place.

It's on my shop.

It's one of those shops that if you haven't got something you need, you'd find it here.

NARRATOR: Over 268 pounds in his wallet.

(SINGING) Ele nening, nening, nening, nening, nening, nening.

NARRATOR: Earth Pounds, that is.

He's got his hoover thing missing there-- Oh, dear.

--which can get on the internet, and his lights missing there.

But yours, for fiver.

I've the fiver.

NARRATOR: I think Charlie likes it here.

There is a stage light up there.

Yes, there's two of those.

CHARLIE ROSS: How much are they?

I've got 80 pounds each on them.

However-- CHARLIE ROSS: Oh, crumbs.

--I could do the pair for 50.

80 pounds.

NARRATOR: Lights, camera, action.

Just light like that.

NARRATOR: Magic.

[LAUGHTER] Now, what about elsewhere on planet Thanet.

[ENGINE CRANKING] Oh, ho, ho, ho, ho, oh, and again.

NARRATOR: Uh-oh.

Steph and her minks are about to bowl up at Birchington-on-Sea, with 157 pounds and 68p to spend.

Come on in.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Hi there.

Hi, I'm Steph.

Hi, I'm Kate.

Nice to meet you, Kate.

This is Jack, my son.

Nice to meet you, Jack.

Nice to meet you.

What a fantastic shop you have here, so many toys and games.

It's amazing.

NARRATOR: Yeah, I think this place could suit our entertainment memorabilia expert down to the ground.

Oh, poolette.

I like games.

Who doesn't like games?

So let's see what it's got inside.

So you've got the board, then you've got the wheel.

Unfortunately, in this case, someone's written in [INAUDIBLE] Now that's we played with.

NARRATOR: You could always have a game with Charlie.

Try to win some of his filthy lucre.

I probably won't buy it just because of the writing and everything on it, but it's really sweet.

NARRATOR: Power to poolette.

Keep looking.

Oh, what's this?

Oh, that's nice.

So this looks to be a 1950s topographical map of London, would be great for our next auction, got all the major sites on it and then all these nice historic figures around the edge.

Good thing to start with maps and posters is if you have a look at the printer credit on the bottom right-hand side, this will often tell you where it was printed.

It gives you a good indication of age.

In this case, it was drawn by somebody called EW Fenton.

It really is jolly nice and in a nice vintage frame.

And I think in Greenwich, it would probably do great.

NARRATOR: Plus, it's priced at 15 pounds.

A bit of a no-brainer, I'd say.

What about our man in Ramsgate?

Uh-oh.

(SINGING) Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket.

Never let it fade away.

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket.

Save it for a rainy day.

For love may come and tap you on the shoulder-- wait, hang on.

The other I've got a number on you.

We'll leave it at the first verse, so that was wonderful.

Did you enjoy that?

Yes, very much.

I enjoyed that.

NARRATOR: Well, Iver did say he could play a bit.

Remember, Charlie already has his eye on a couple of stage lamps at 80 for the two.

Anything else?

I ever come forth immediately.

Sounds like there may well be.

I was looking at your stepladder, Iver Right, lovely.

Beautiful.

It is.

It was far too expensive, but it-- it seems to work.

30 pounds for-- to get to the up-- up of story of a building.

NARRATOR: He's quite a salesman, Ive.

Now I'd say they're very comfortable.

Is it a fiver, Iver It's a bargain at 30.

I can't say-- - No, no.

Come on, Iver.

That's the ticket price.

I think we can go to 15 on this.

Oh.

Iver, you're talking my language.

But really Iver, what I want to pay, Iver, is a fiver.

[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: What did he have for breakfast?

[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Now, back to Washington on scene, where Steph has a 15pound map of London reserved.

Any of these toys appealed to you?

Hornby.

An old gauge railway.

Let's see if it is complete.

NARRATOR: Oh, it looks very likely.

Always good to get things in their original box.

The old clockwork, the condition looks reasonable.

Let's go and see what Kate says.

Hi, Kate.

I'm definitely going to protect the map.

So I've seen this fab, an old-age Hornby train set.

What can you tell me about it?

It's brilliant.

Late 1950s.

It's absolutely beautiful set.

It also includes only curves and straights.

NARRATOR: Frank Hornby also gave us [INAUDIBLE] and dinky toys, of course.

There we are.

It should get him going.

NARRATOR: She's a windup merchant, all right?

That's it.

Where you go?

Oh, great.

It's in working condition.

And he is 80 pounds.

80 pounds is, unfortunately, way out of my price range.

What's the absolute best you could do on it?

I'll do 45.

Yeah, that's great.

Then it's a deal.

Thanks very much.

20, 40, 60.

There you are.

NARRATOR: Thanks, Kate.

Full steam ahead.

Take care.

Take my items and get them out of your way.

NARRATOR: Safe hands, hey?

She was once a porter, you know?

Before she was an expert.

Bye-bye, Birchington.

[CAR HONK] Give my regards to Ramsgate, where it looks like we might be getting somewhere.

Thomas?

Yeah.

The two stage lights are yours, aren't they?

They are.

CHARLIE ROSS: And the ladder upstairs?

It's mine as well.

CHARLIE ROSS: Oh.

How much is your beaten copper mirror?

45 pounds, but we're open to slight negotiation, of course.

It's quite stylish, actually.

I like it.

Yes.

So I like two stage lights.

I like your mirror, and I like your ladder upstairs.

No, we-- oh, we can go 50% probably on that.

NARRATOR: Making it 22.50.

Plus 15 for the ladder, but the lamps are still 80.

I was thinking really that's about 100 quid for the package there.

- Come and take a seat Charlie.

- Yeah, yeah.

Lovely.

So we're 20 on the mirror So that leaves me 80 for my ladders and my two lights Yes, that's not bad, is it?

Come on.

Shake my hand, a 100 quid?

OK. Oh, you're a top man.

Just wish you're not going to sing me again.

Oh, no.

I promise not to sing again.

But can we listen to him play?

Of course NARRATOR: Good deal.

Now, talk us through all of that again, please, Charlie.

Three items, one of which I love, one of which is cheap, and one of which is a complete gamble.

So 70 pounds for the lights, and 20 pounds for the mirror, and 10 pounds for ladder, done and dusted.

NARRATOR: So now we know.

[SPEAKING FRENCH] I'll leave you two arguing.

NARRATOR: And with that, he's off to past his new.

But with a Steph, and the super minx.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Oh wow, an amazing beach, and so many lovely beach hooks.

NARRATOR: Yes.

She's just arriving at yet another part of the Kent Coast, Herne Bay.

Achoo.

Saluté.

That delightful resort where PG Wodehouse's Jeeves character used to spend his fictional holidays.

[LAUGHS] Here she is.

Parking-- Whoops.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Stalled it.

NARRATOR: Never mind.

Just leave it there.

Let's look inside.

- Hi, Andy.

- Hello.

- I am Steph.

- Steph, Steph.

Nice to meet you.

And Andy, don't forget to get those loins girded, because with less than 100 pounds, left she'll be looking for bargains.

And that will take loin gurgling.

Oh, London things.

Nice little trunk.

Because we're going to London, it's covered in labels that relate to London.

So this one says back to London via Basel.

It's got the name of the person who owned it originally, and that they lived in SW5, so Southwest London.

NARRATOR: Oh, court to be precise.

I used to live there.

- It's nice.

It's quite stylish.

People use trunks for coffee tables.

You can use them for storage if you want something a bit funkier than just a normal storage box.

And I quite like them.

It has no price on it, so I will have to ask Andy.

NARRATOR: Now, hanging about then.

Oh my, shiny stuff.

So this cabinet has some mouth-watering things in it.

There's a lot of Russian enamel work, faberge, gold, silver-gilt.

And the market for Russian items is really hot right now, especially if they have good, strong names attached to like faberge.

NARRATOR: In your dreams.

The original St. Petersburg firm founded in 1842 was famous for its jewel-encrusted eggs, although most of these items seem to be a bit modern to me.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: One of them is in the form of a Russian flag.

What more could you want if you're a collector of Russian gold and silver?

There's items in here all the way up to 3 and 1/2 thousand pounds.

So at that kind of level, it's not really for me, but fantastic and really beautiful to see.

NARRATOR: Yeah, that's the vignette of that lot.

What about a good old British name, though?

More trunks, different kind of trunk this time.

Hunt me in Palmer's biscuit tin.

Great biscuit makers.

Tins can be very collectible.

I have once seen a one of a bus in very good condition sell for several thousand pounds.

NARRATOR: From Russia to Redington, [LAUGHS] famous for the three B's-- Booze, Bulbs, and Biscuits.

This one's nice.

I like the shape.

Wow, 70 pounds.

We'll take it upstairs, see what Andy can do.

NARRATOR: Yeah, good idea.

Here we go.

Upstairs with Andy.

OK, so I've noticed two trunks.

OK.

But this one is the biscuit in one.

But the first one that I'll ask you about is the trunk downstairs with all the London labels.

Can you tell me how much it is?

It doesn't have a price on it.

It's 65.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: OK.

I'll have to think about that one.

The [INAUDIBLE] biscuit tin, it says it's 70.

What would be your absolute best, best price on that?

OK, we could come down to 30.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: 30?

Then it's a deal.

Then I'll take that from you.

Lovely.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: So coming back to the trunk, it's 65.

Bear in mind you know I'm on a limited budget.

What's the absolute best you can do on it?

I'll-- I'll help you out.

We can do that for 35.

Amazing.

So yeah, that's great.

I'll take the two trunks, perfect.

- Lovely.

- Deal on both?

Deal.

And five.

NARRATOR: Thanks, Andy.

That's great.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Lovely.

NARRATOR: Now, back to the minx, still slumped on the pavement.

And we'll catch up with Charlie at the Golden Lion.

It's all right.

He's actually working, having traveled to the village of broad oak to play a game that's a sort of distant cousin to his beloved cricket.

- Good afternoon.

- Hi, Charlie.

- You must be Jake.

- Yes.

Lovely to meet you.

And you.

What have I come to see?

Back in track.

Lovely, lead on.

NARRATOR: Every summer and pubs around the county, folk gather to play a sport that the rest of us have barely heard of, leave alone have a fine appreciation of the rules.

Stand by.

So tell me how you play it.

You've got two teams.

Two teams, you toss a coin.

One-- one bats, one bowl.

CHARLIE ROSS: But you don't run, do you?

You don't run at all.

No.

CHARLIE ROSS: So you hit the trap, and then what happens?

The batsman knocks the ball between the two post.

CHARLIE ROSS: Yeah.

And then the bowlers take it in turns to bowl the underarm-- CHARLIE ROSS: Yes.

- --at the trap.

CHARLIE ROSS: I see.

And if they hit the trap?

You-- you're out.

CHARLIE ROSS: And the next person comes in.

Is it compulsory to hold a pint?

Yes, very much so.

CHARLIE ROSS: [LAUGHS] So when did it all start?

Well, it started with the monks in the 14th century.

CHARLIE ROSS: Really?

Monks played it.

Where the old Beverly is-- CHARLIE ROSS: The old Beverley is a pub, is it?

Yes.

CHARLIE ROSS: Yeah?

Continue playing from there on.

NARRATOR: These routes in a Canterbury Boozer, also associated with the county's early cricket history, have led some to claim.

Bat and track is one of the game's forebears.

But unlike cricket, the game went into decline in the 19th century before revival came from an unlikely source.

In the first World War, soldiers were coming back injured and maimed, and obviously, sports like cricket and football you couldn't do.

But bat and trap, they could play along as got one arm.

CHARLIE ROSS: They're-- of course, you didn't have to be fit and healthy to play the game.

No.

And slowly, from there, it became more popular?

Yes, it started off with one division with six teams in 1922.

By 1957, there was four divisions.

CHARLIE ROSS: Really?

Well, I'm ready for it.

I can't wait to give it a try.

I've got my bat.

Exactly, let's go.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: The battle of the sexes, ey?

Good luck, Charlie.

I'm not sure the MCC tie will be much help.

Two hands or one?

Two?

Two, yeah.

There you are.

Straight in.

Well done.

Played this before-- Oh, thank you.

Come on, girls.

[LAUGHS] Oh, Oh!

NARRATOR: Debutante, off the mark.

He's got it definitely got a future.

We've got to see how he bows first.

I have to do this with one hand.

NARRATOR: Well played.

Watch out, though.

She's good.

CHARLIE ROSS: Oh, look at that.

That-- us coming.

Oh!

CROWD: Yay!

I can see why this was popular with the soldiers when they came back from the war.

Oh, definitely.

It's great for morale, isn't it?

Much better than sitting in a soggy old trench.

NARRATOR: OK. Change ends.

How about a bit of bowling, Charlie?

Yes, [INAUDIBLE] Yeah, keep the [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Good directing, fellas.

Hang on.

Looks like we have a late substitute and designated driver.

Stop!

Stop!

Here comes Steph!

Hello, everyone!

Yay!

This is amazing.

Ready-- CHARLIE ROSS: Yeah!

Oh.

Little lease.

[INAUDIBLE] She gets a practice.

CHARLIE ROSS: Yeah!

She's good.

She's a natural.

Yeah.

All right!

[INAUDIBLE] Oh yeah.

NARRATOR: Oh, lordy, that's a short innings.

I mean, lovely nose, but-- Come on.

Steph, this is how it's not done.

All right.

You got last track Come, Roscoe.

CHARLIE ROSS: Ah-- [CHEERING] Let's go!

Five!

Five!

Five!

NARRATOR: Calm down, Charlie.

You'll have an attack.

Well, the winning team today, just was the men's.

Yeah!

Ha!

My goodness.

Oh, it's very heavy.

[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Night, night, you two.

Twas on a Misty morning.

Oh, isn't that a pretty cow?

CHARLIE ROSS: Are you sure?

I can hardly see a thing.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Is this shop yesterday?

CHARLIE ROSS: It's been wonderful.

Two real ca-- oh, hang on, my car is backing up.

Oh, whoa, whoa.

Oh no, we've stopped!

STEPHANIE CONNELL: We've stopped.

CHARLIE ROSS: Help!

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Help!

Charlie-- CHARLIE ROSS: Yeah.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Can you fix the car?

NARRATOR: Get out and get under then, Charlie.

He was busy yesterday buying some theater lamps, and mirror and a ladder.

Is it a fiver, Iver?

NARRATOR: And he still has almost 170 to spend today, while Steph picked up a suitcase, a train set, a biscuit tin, and an illustrated map of London.

It really is jolly nice.

NARRATOR: Oh yeah, leaving just over 30 pounds in the kitty.

Oh good.

They got the super minx firing again.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: I've spent a large proportion of the very limited budget, and I bought things that relate to an elephant.

CHARLIE ROSS: Hoder?

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Hoder.

CHARLIE ROSS: Hoder is a little sheet that sits on top of an elephant?

STEPHANIE CONNELL: That's not what I bought.

CHARLIE ROSS: Oh.

Trunk?

Do wait and see.

Oh, oh, oh.

Mysterious.

Mysterious job.

Oh, oh, ho, ho.

Oh, I think I know what you bought.

NARRATOR: He's got a thing about elephant, Steph.

Later, they'll be off to that auction beside the Thames at Greenwich.

But The first stop today is in Sandwich, that ancient Cinque Port on the River Star.

And [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHS] Antique shop.

Good morning.

Oh, I'm looking forward to this.

NARRATOR: Where Charlie, having dropped Steph off, has to see a man about semantics.

- Good morning.

- Is it Paul?

- It is.

- Hello.

Charlie.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to see you.

What a fabulous day, and what a lovely place.

NARRATOR: Sandwich or this shop?

They're both delightful.

Now, that is very interesting and about-- I don't know anything about this.

I thought originally it was a Sunday stick.

When golf was frowned upon in the 19th century in Scotland, golfers when they went to church, they used to take a walking stick along.

And they used to have the handle in the form of a gold club.

So on their way back from church, when the vicar wasn't watching, they would come along and drop the ball down and play a bit of golf.

And then if somebody came along, they just turn it around and pretend it was a walking stick.

But it's got a little aeroplane in it.

So what's the history of that?

Perhaps it was owned by a pilot?

Absolutely charming, but beyond that, I know nothing.

NARRATOR: So no stick then?

Early days.

Oh, my word.

I've never been to Calcutta.

Have you?

No.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Gosh, what a wonderful, wonderful image.

It's an amateur hand, but it shows Calcutta in all its splendor-- Yeah, lovely.

CHARLIE ROSS: --in the Victorian Times, 1861.

So this all looks original, this writing riding on the bottom here.

Picture itself is not signed, but I'm not surprised if it's an amateur one.

It's a 150 years old.

Now, that's pretty wisden isn't it, unfortunately?

NARRATOR: Yes.

Just-- The annual reference work, they call the Bible of Cricket began in 1864.

Price, 58 Pounds.

This frankly could make very little as a work of art, but as a bit of history, it could sell well.

I wish I'd been playing in the game.

I'm old enough.

NARRATOR: Come on, Charlie.

You're the 1960s, not the 1860s, old bean.

Is there much leeway on it?

I mean, I-- or-- or do you want me to make an offer?

We were hoping to get 50 pounds.

CHARLIE ROSS: Well, yeah.

Yeah.

Can I squeeze you at all?

Another fiver off.

Could you?

Say 45?

I'll let you know if it makes a profit or not.

- OK. - That's very kind of you.

Thank you.

Fab.

NARRATOR: You've made an old cricketer very happy.

- 45.

- Lovely.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much indeed.

It's been a delight, so is this.

Bye.

NARRATOR: And with that, he leaves the crease.

Oh, hang on.

- Very nice.

How's that?

About-- welcome to [INAUDIBLE] Thank you.

Lovely to see you.

Oh, who are your calling?

- I'm Charlie.

- Charlie?

- Charlie Ross.

- Charlie Ross.

- Yes.

- Who are you?

Minel.

NARRATOR: But while that's going on, Steph's taken a bit of a detour towards the little village of Tilmanstone, where she's come to see thatcher, Ross Chapman.

- Hello there.

- Hello there.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: You must be Ross.

Yes, I am.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

I'm Steph.

NARRATOR: And to find out about a fascinating traditional craft undergoing something of a revival.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: The roofs look absolutely fantastic.

It's amazing, so beautiful.

How often does it need retouching?

This material is long straw, and this will be looking to last 20 to 25 years, maybe a little bit better with good winters.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: What actually is thatch?

So thatch is any vegetation that can keep the roof dry, stop any rain getting in and any weather, conditions, really, and fairly straightforward to put it on.

In the summer, it keeps the house nice and cool.

But in the winter, the insulation is great as well because it keeps it nice and warm inside.

So-- STEPHANIE CONNELL: And then why everybody doesn't have a thatch chute?

- I know.

NARRATOR: For early man, the vegetation of choice would have been moss heather or wild grasses.

But as cereal growing became the norm, wheat straw, the byproduct of the harvest, was the obvious thatching material.

It's not easy, mind you.

So here we have the leget, so this is what dresses the straw into the shape that you desire on the roof.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Oh.

You back the straw with the leget, and you just hold it in place.

As you can see, that was slowly starting to take shape of the roof.

Shape?

So then that would obviously be neatened up.

He'd pull the loose bits out.

You're forcing it that way so the water runs off it?

So any rain that hits it would come down the roof, and the rain would come onto the straw without penetrating through.

NARRATOR: Time to take a bit of a closer look.

I hope you're happy with heights, Steph.

I've got some water with me, so I'm going to show you how rain would run down off the roof without penetrating in.

NARRATOR: Impressive.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Oh, wow.

So it just slides off it?

If the angle of the roof is correct, it's just going to run straight down.

And hopefully, as you can see, 20, 30 millimeters down, it's bone dry.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Dry.

So the roof is basically finished then?

Well, not quite.

We've left a small part of the roof unfinished.

And hopefully, with your help, we can get it finished.

Oh, amazing.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: So that really is the last straw.

[LAUGHS] Oh.

Careful with those shears, though.

That's good.

Brilliant.

Perfect.

If your angle the sheer slightly more this way.

That way?

Yeah.

I can see the ancient thatch is still visible?

Yeah, so you can see the thatch from 100, 200 years ago, still visible.

The new eaves and the old eaves side by side, not in terrible condition.

If you pull it, out you can still see the coloration.

It's literally just the ends that get discolored.

NARRATOR: Amazing.

Ross hasn't even needed to touch the old stuff underneath.

[CAR HONK] - Oh.

NARRATOR: Uh-oh.

Our lifts arrived.

Oh.

Steph!

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Hello!

CHARLIE ROSS: Chop, chop.

Give me five minutes.

I've just got to go and get changed.

[SIGHS] NARRATOR: Just one shop left, and they'll be in it together.

Wakey, wakey, Charlie.

Good grief, I thought you would never come.

Chop chop to shop shop.

Off we go.

NARRATOR: Steph and Charlie are motoring the minx in the direction of Barham, and are, of course, catching up.

CHARLIE ROSS: I bought something this morning I am completely and utterly and totally and passionately in love with.

I'm not going to tell you what it is, but I'm going to give you a clue.

It's braces.

[LAUGHS] You know what these colors are?

They're orange and yellow.

[LAUGHS] Do you know what they signify?

Um, some kind of sweets?

NARRATOR: Yeah, rhubarb and custard.

She's teasing you, Charlie, I think.

CHARLIE ROSS: Here we are, look.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Oh, wow.

Garden Furniture and Ornaments.

Just the job.

Oh.

NARRATOR: Steady.

Oh, I say.

Look at this.

Ugh.

NARRATOR: Now, play nicely, children.

It looks as if posh there, and slightly less posh here.

So I think you better go in the posh.

NARRATOR: So when posh comes to shove ey?

[LAUGHS] Not sure if that's a good idea, considering if Steph has less than 33 pounds left to spend.

So good luck.

Oh.

So much fun.

This is a cocktail cabinet.

It's kind of the crossover period between kind of art deco and then mid-century.

There's a big trend at the minute for owning your own cocktail cabinet.

People tend to think that maybe it's a bit kind of Del Boy to have your own cocktail cabinet.

But I think in an era when people don't go out, they like to party at home.

It's a really nice luxury item to have for mixing your drinks.

Cocktail sticks, those cocktail stick.

Then you've got space for your bottles.

So if you want something fun, there's a talking piece in your home.

A cocktail cabinet is a great way to go.

NARRATOR: 950 smackers, though.

Enough said.

Next door, Charlie seems to have met proprietor Michael.

Look at that for workmanship.

Well-- Edwardian furniture at its very best.

Mahogany?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Mahogany-- CHARLIE ROSS: Rosewood cross bondage.

Yeah, nice cross banding.

Boxwood stringing.

Yeah.

- Olive wood.

- Yeah.

NARRATOR: Getting along famously, aren't they?

If you're buying it, it's Edwardian.

Yeah.

If you're selling it, Sheraton Revival, darling.

[LAUGHS] All these things are subject to price?

Its not yours, is it?

- No, no.

- It's your sons?

- [INAUDIBLE] Your son is a reasonable man.

Well, he's a very reasonable man.

I will go and check with Christian and see the very best price.

That's really kind.

Lovely.

Oh, thank you.

I'm going to sit here and pray.

NARRATOR: Referred up, over to Steph.

Goes it well, girl?

Wow.

There are very highly respected antiques dealer and dealing in furniture up to sort of 5,000, 6,000, 7,000 pounds.

I haven't seen that many items that are actually in my price range at all.

NARRATOR: Rums What about old money bags outside?

The best sort of price would be 60 pounds.

Would it?

Mm-hmm.

Well, I'll be straight with you.

I would-- I'd have to pay 40 quid for it.

I don't think it's going to make a 100.

If I thought it'd make a 100, I'll give you 60 quid for it.

Well, if you were to say 45, I'm sure-- if I go and talk to him nicely, if you said 45 pounds, you know-- - You'll take it on his behalf.

I'm-- I-- I would.

I would.

And-- and-- and-- Will he speak to you again?

Not for a while.

[LAUGHS] I hope you're well.

Oh, come on.

I have passion for furniture.

Well done.

- You got the better of me.

- Well done.

- Thank you.

- Well done.

It's no money-- Good work, dads.

Payment, please.

[INAUDIBLE] Why?

Keep going.

Keep going.

- No, no.

[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: [LAUGHS] Quite.

So he's back in the minx.

- Very nice to meet you.

- Bye-bye.

All the best.

NARRATOR: And it looks like Steph's following in his footsteps.

Ay, ay.

Oh, that's nice.

Not something I specialize in, but there's a really good market for rustic English design, things that were made for a function.

You get candlesticks in that kind of style, different pieces of furniture.

I really like this.

It's a milking stool.

It's functional.

It's got the three legs, and it's just charming.

You can have it-- I mean, it's usable as a decorative piece or a piece of furniture.

But I-- I like things like this just because their social history.

They're meant to be used until they're rotten and then thrown away.

So when they manage to survive, it's nice to see.

It's 55 pounds, which is out of my budget.

But I might just ask Christian to see if there's anything that can be done on it.

I would like to have it.

It's really nice.

NARRATOR: Christian's in for a bit of a shock again.

So I've noticed you're milking stool.

It really is nice.

I think it's charming.

It's 55 pounds.

Mm-hmm.

What is your absolute rainy day best price on the milking stool.

Best price on the milking stool, and it's such a lovely milking stool.

It's really nice.

As it's used, Steph, how about 40?

I call for 40.

I'm-- I'm really sorry.

I wish I could.

All I've got in the whole wide world is 32.68.

If you can't do it, I completely understand.

I'll tell you what.

As it's used, Steph, let's do a deal.

Oh, thank you very much.

That's amazing.

Thank you, very much.

NARRATOR: Quick, before he changes his mind.

Grab your stool, girl, and let's get off to the auction.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: We're going to Greenwich.

CHARLIE ROSS: Greenwich?

Do you know Greenwich?

I love Greenwich.

It's lovely, isn't it?

It's a world heritage site for one thing.

You're a mine of information.

It's got the Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark.

It's got so much history.

Oh, well, let's hope the sail room is all right.

Yeah.

CHARLIE ROSS: Things will sell well in Greenwich.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Yes.

NARRATOR: He might be right.

Shut eye first, though.

Well, here we are.

Just as Steph described it, isn't it?

I don't think that that one's Christopher Wren, though.

After rocking off from Ramsgate, our pair have seen both the seaside and inside of Kent, ha, before heading towards the blessed borough and Greenwich auctions with internet bidding.

Have you ever been here before?

No, I don't think I ever have.

You are in for a treat.

Am I?

Oh, absolutely.

Boy.

NARRATOR: Fingers crossed, ey?

Charlie partied with 190 pounds with his five-auction lot.

Steph says-- STEPHANIE CONNELL: This is sweet and practical, stylish.

I think arts and crafts things are going back in.

And I think Charlie only paid about 20 pounds, so on reflection, I think there's a profit in it.

NARRATOR: Nice.

Steph spent all of her 157 pounds and 68 Pence, also on five lots.

It's an aerial view of London showing all the great landmarks.

I'm looking at broadcasting house.

We like broadcasting house.

It's a wonderful history lesson.

You go right the way through from, for example, Julius Caesar here.

We come down here, and what have we got here?

We've got Henry VII, and then ending up with Emmeline Pankhurst, the Suffragette Lady.

NARRATOR: He's a funnel, right?

But which are the faves of auctioneer Robert Dodd?

--pound.

[SLAMS] The milking stool or cricket stool was there often now.

It's an old piece.

It's got a big [INAUDIBLE] It must be pre-1830, I would have thought.

The cricket picture is so, so interesting, pencil and watercolor.

The only problem is, and we have had it out of the frame, that the mount along the bottom is gummed so hard that it's covering up where the signature is.

NARRATOR: Intriguing.

What Charlie come up with?

CHARLIE ROSS: This is an original watercolor after a watercolor done by a man called carpenter.

So I thought, where is the original?

I went to Lord's Cricket Ground the other day, and they have got a-- a lithograph.

I think this is done by an amateur hand directly from the original.

So how much is it going to make?

Cost 45, I'd like to see it make 200 or 300.

NARRATOR: Exciting stuff.

I can hardly wait.

[INAUDIBLE] So many people.

I know.

NARRATOR: First up, Steph's train set.

All aboard, a little bit of interest on this?

Got to start with bid with me of 42 pounds on that.

Look at the fine.

I've got 42.

I'm looking for 45 on it.

NARRATOR: It's not bad.

We aim 45, 48.

50 [INAUDIBLE] 50 pound I've got there.

We'll give a 55-- CHARLIE ROSS: [INAUDIBLE] AUCTIONEER: 55, take it or not.

It's worth more than that, though.

Just by looking in the room, looking for 55.

Are we all done on this slot 50?

After commission-- [INAUDIBLE] At 50 pounds, sir, your number, please.

Bad.

NARRATOR: Like the man said, encouraging start.

Not bad at all.

NARRATOR: Charlie's ladder.

He's such a climber.

Could go up or down.

But he's got to start with a bit with me on the Bank ladder of 15 pound.

- Right, oh my.

- 15 [INAUDIBLE] Oh, look it.

15 poiunds.

AUCTIONEER: Let's continue on.

- That's amazing.

15, I've got.

We'll give her 18.

Some-- my commission bid [INAUDIBLE] at 15 pounds.

15 pounds.

That's good.

AUCTIONEER: [INAUDIBLE] Congratulations.

Is that my-- No-- nobody's [INAUDIBLE] comes down tonight.

[LAUGHS] AUCTIONEER: But you'll kick yourself when you bring a roofer.

When you faint for 50, I ain't need a quid, I could have bought a ladder.

[LAUGHS] AUCTIONEER: For 15 pound-- [SLAMS] It's a good profit.

Well done.

And it's nice.

2 pounds after commission.

NARRATOR: Winning is much better than losing though, Charlie?

That was my big hip.

[LAUGHS] 21.

NARRATOR: He jests.

Now, for one of Steph's favorites, London, the Thames, we're in Greenwich.

Surely.

Try in at 22 pound on this.

- It cost 15.

- Yeah.

It's done all that.

AUCTIONEER: Now, look 30, 2, 5, 8, 40, I'm out.

40 pound.

[INAUDIBLE] 42.

We all down at 40.

We all sure.

At 40 pound-- [SLAMS] - 119.

Yay.

AUCTIONEER: Oh, [INAUDIBLE] Give him a round of applause.

CHARLIE ROSS: Yes.

Well done, Steph.

Superb.

NARRATOR: Yes, a swell result.

Cartography pays, you know?

He's got your biggest ever problem.

[INAUDIBLE] far off.

NARRATOR: Ah, Charlie's copper frame mirror is next.

Are we looking at more profits?

He's got to start with a big [INAUDIBLE] at 28 pounds.

- Oh, there you go.

- That's all right.

Profit.

You paid 20.

AUCTIONEER: [INAUDIBLE] all right then.

32 listeners.

38 listeners.

40 pound, we meet on commission.

See?

42, 48?

48 Internet.

55 on the internet.

60 at one.

They're quality, though.

60 pound on the net.

60 pounds?

Are we all done at 60?

60?

Well done, Charlie.

[INAUDIBLE] The internet-- [SLAMS] AUCTIONEER: Give him a round of applause, please.

That's amazing.

Well done, Charlie.

Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: Here, here.

Well worth the clap.

That's amazing.

Look, see.

The internet.

Wait, we're on fire now, aren't we?

Benefit from the internet.

NARRATOR: Yep, London's burning.

But can Steph pull off the coals to Newcastle trick with her local luggage?

It's got to start with a [INAUDIBLE] straight on-- on this case, of only 20 pounds.

22 on each, I've got 20 on it.

It's all right.

AUCTIONEER: It's got 20 on it.

I need 22 anywhere.

22, 25?

28, I'm out.

28 pounds required.

It's 3 pound.

You're going to kick yourself.

25, looking for 28.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Oh, it's 25.

I'll give 28 around.

Looking for 30.

He's back in the room at 28.

Looking for burst.

He is coming [INAUDIBLE] We're all done at 28.

Are you sure?

Next week, the ventriloquist dummies coming in to go in this.

I got 28 now.

- [LAUGHS] AUCTIONEER: Looking for 30.

Well done.

Last time.

In back of the room at 28 pounds, your number, madam?

Thank you.

Lovely jacket, by the way.

[LAUGHS] NARRATOR: Well, it certainly wasn't for want of trying from the auctioneer.

28 pound.

First loss of the day.

NARRATOR: Charlie's turn in the limelight, his risky lamps.

AUCTIONEER: And he's got to start with a bid, would be of only 20 pounds on these.

What?

AUCTIONEER: I give you 22.

22, 25, 28, 32.

I'm out.

Looking for 35.

35 in the back of the room.

All right there, 40 pound and to-- It's 40?

It'll be at 48.

48 on bid-- I'm getting better.

You're going to be all right.

AUCTIONEER: Back in a room of 50 pound.

I'm looking for 55.

55 there, looking for 60 there, looking for 65.

Go, madam.

Go for it.

60.

60 pounds.

Go on, madam.

Go for it.

Back in the room at 60 pounds.

[SLAMS] I've lost money, but thank you very much.

AUCTIONEER: 61?

NARRATOR: Yes, but it could have been a lot worse.

I have to say, I'm well-pleased with that.

I never in a month of [INAUDIBLE] do I get out of trouble, but I didn't.

[LAUGHS] AUCTIONEER: I got 20 pound on this.

NARRATOR: Have a Becky, ey?

Steph's little tin in the shape of a suitcase.

Pitcher me at 10 pounds on this.

Well, it's a start.

AUCTIONEER: I'll give you 12.

Hello?

Anyone out there?

[LAUGHS] AUCTIONEER: I got 10 pound.

I'm looking for 12.

Right.

Now we're cooking with gas.

[LAUGHS] AUCTIONEER: 12 pound there in the middle of the room, Looking for 15 anywhere?

Oh no.

Oh.

CHARLIE ROSS: Yes.

Oh, [INAUDIBLE] 18.

Ugh.

AUCTIONEER: I got 15 there.

I'm looking for 18.

18 there look at the 20 pound.

I got 18 there.

20 breeze.

20 po-- op, 20 pound the back of the room.

They're awake up there.

Looking for 22.

I have 20 pounds on this, looking for 22.

Are we're all done?

Are you sure?

At 20 pounds-- [SLAMS] You could not accuse the auctioneer.

AUCTIONEER: 75, all right.

You all work in the room.

I'm not gerring it.

NARRATOR: Crumbs of comfort, certainly.

Now, what if you call this, Charlie?

Sheraton Revival?

Bid for me at only 22 pound on this table.

Looking for 25-- - It's got into-- 25.

38, 30 pound.

32, 35, 38, 40, I'm out.

Back in a room at 40 pound.

42 as we get.

42 on the internet?

AUCTIONEER: All we get.

45.

- Yeah.

AUCTIONEER: 48 on these.

- 48 on the internet.

48 on the net.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: 48 means-- 50 pound.

50 I have, looking for 5, 55, looking for 60.

AUCTIONEER: At 60 pound, [INAUDIBLE] Furniture is not dead.

Coming in at 65, sir.

65 on the internet looking for 70.

At 65 pound on the table-- [SLAMS] That was good.

Absolutely thrilled about that.

It's good.

NARRATOR: He's having another excellent auction.

I will carry on buying.

I guarantee I will buy another piece of furniture in the next day because it's going to come back.

Well, with profits like that, why wouldn't you?

NARRATOR: Now, not quite the same quality, but what would milkmaids do with that one?

They'd sit on the floor.

It's got to start with a bid with me of 20 pound only on this stool.

It's a bargain at 20.

AUCTIONEER: 25, 20.

Look again.

AUCTIONEER: [INAUDIBLE] 42, I'm out.

It's in the room.

Only 42 pound, I'll give a 45.

Profit.

We all done at 42.

Oh, 45 on the internet.

Looking for 48.

You [INAUDIBLE] Come on, Steph.

Give it large.

Come on, internet.

Come on, internet.

50 pound on the internet.

We'll give a 55.

AUCTIONEER: 55 Look at-- there's little lady there going up at clappers.

Leading the baby.

Come on, lady with the baby.

60.

Last time.

At 55 pounds, madam, your number, please.

Yay.

[SLAMS] Well, done.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: Aw.

Oh, you are getting the hang of this.

Oh yeah, that was better.

NARRATOR: Not off as they say in Greenwich.

It's really nice, though.

I'm glad the lady bought it.

What a lovely lady.

NARRATOR: Finally, we have that Kolkata cricket watercolor.

Charlie is very excited.

It's got a start with a bid we may straighten.

At 15 pound on this, so somebody knows something.

Looking for 18 on this picture, I've got 15, 18.

20 we meet.

Take 22.

22, 25.

8 on [INAUDIBLE] 30 pound.

How much did you pay?

45?

AUCTIONEER: 48.

I mean, It's still going.

Don't worry.

Don't stress.

AUCTIONEER: We'll give at 48.

Oh, you made profit.

You're in profit.

This is cheap.

I want 60.

65, we may look at 77.

NARRATOR: Oh.

AUCTIONEER: 70 pounds.

We may even give it to 65.

NARRATOR: Oh, chuck Charlie is perking up.

75, 80 pound, 85 [INAUDIBLE] 85, 90 pound, 95 I want.

95, 110.

140 here, and it above.

150, I want.

Come on.

150 I need.

I've got 150 on that one.

I love this lad.

Are you sure?

Last time.

Last time on commission.

And a 150 pounds-- [SLAMS] - One mine.

Well done.

Yeah.

Give them a round of applause, please.

[APPLAUSE] Well done.

NARRATOR: Yeah, he made a profit of over a century.

Anyway, you're in the money again.

You're in the money.

We're in the dash.

Come on.

Let's go and count.

Let's go.

NARRATOR: Doodads.

Steph started out with 157 pounds and 68p, and after auction costs, she made a profit of 58 Pence.

[LAUGHS] While Charlie, who began with 268 pounds and 26p, also made a profit after costs, only his, was 97 pounds.

So he's now over 200 pounds ahead.

Ho-ho.

The sun shines on our success.

It's glorious.

Yeah, it was good.

You had a brilliant time.

I'm very pleased.

But you're getting the hang of this, aren't you?

You think?

Profit is not to be sniffed at.

NARRATOR: Yes.

Never forget your first 58p profit.

[THEME MUSIC]