[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts.

With 200 pounds each-- I want something shiny.

NARRATOR: --a classic car-- [CAR HORN] --and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

I like a rummage.

I can't resist.

NARRATOR: The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction.

[BELL RINGS] But it's no mean feat.

Why do I always do this to myself?

NARRATOR: There'll be worthy winners-- Give us a kiss.

NARRATOR: --and valiant losers.

- Come on.

Stick 'em up.

NARRATOR: So will it be the high road to glory-- Onwards and upwards.

NARRATOR: --or the slow road to disaster?

Take me home.

NARRATOR: This is "Antiques Road Trip."

[MUSIC PLAYING] Today, we roar into the second installment of our road trip extravaganza with auctioneer Christina Trevanion and dealer Mark Stacey.

That sun feels like me.

In my world-- I'm under a cloud.

--no, you're not.

Yes, I am.

And that cloud is Christina Trevanion.

NARRATOR: Oh, dear.

On the first leg, a chocolate display cabinet launched Christina into lead position.

- Remember that cabinet?

- Yeah, I do.

Yeah, but do you remember how much money I made on it?

Yeah.

I do have two pounds, Christina-- before.

NARRATOR: Yup-- 102 pounds.

People will hate you for this.

NARRATOR: Blimey.

Thankfully, Mark's a wonderful sport, really.

Well, you did very well at that auction.

I'm very, very happy for you.

Can you say it again with meaning, please?

NARRATOR: (SARCASTICALLY) That'll be the day.

From his original 200 pounds, Mark's got 234 pounds and 60 pence for his back pocket.

Christina also began with 200 pounds.

But she's way out in front, with 295 pounds and 20 pence weighing down her handbag.

And this 1977 Alfa Romeo Spider is the fruity chariot of choice.

They are gorgeous, those.

This is brilliant.

It's going like a dream-- very smooth.

And it's nice, actually-- nice country day.

It's beautiful countryside.

You keep touching my knee.

I can't help myself.

It just happens.

NARRATOR: (SARCASTICALLY) Believe that if you might.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Christina and Mark began in West Sussex, jolly their way north as far as Merseyside, and have auctions in Cheshire, Gloucestershire, and Manchester to come.

They will conclude their adventure in Bolton.

Today, we're bound for the Cotswolds, kicking off in the town of Winchcombe in Gloucestershire.

And we'll auction in the Cheshire town of Knutsford-- Gaskell country.

Oh, Christina, thank you so much.

Now it's your chance to redeem-- You were very gentle with me.

--As always.

As always.

Are we going to have to have a race into the shop?

There's no competition.

Bye.

Of course, it's very low down there, isn't it?

Oi!

Come back!

NARRATOR: Hey!

Danger ahead-- they're sharing a shop.

Oh, no.

[LAUGHTER] Oi!

MARK STACEY: Oh, sorry.

[INAUDIBLE] I didn't see you there.

I'm sure.

[INAUDIBLE] CHRISTINA TREVANION: Hello.

Hi.

Watch it, you two.

Richard is the dealer in charge of Winchcombe Antiques Centre.

There are 2 floors packed with wares here.

And good luck with these two.

[MUSIC PLAYING] There's tons of stuff.

It's wonderful.

I'm quite optimistic I'm going to find things here.

What I'm going to find, of course, is another thing.

NARRATOR: Never a truer word said, Mark.

Oh, God.

I thought somebody was looking at me there.

It's an antelope's head, or a deer's head.

75 pounds.

I think that's a bit too dear.

NARRATOR: Oh, dear.

Oh, dear.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Now, who's this little chap?

MARK STACEY: He's obviously a sort of madman or something.

He's got his hands in his pocket there.

He's got his binoculars.

And I think this is Russian.

I love this because it's obviously hand-painted.

You've got these lovely vivid blues.

And I think he looks a bit like George V or Tsar Nicholas II.

NARRATOR: It doesn't look very old, Mark.

How much does he cost?

And it's only priced up at 20 pounds.

NARRATOR: Mark sounds keen.

What's Christina up to?

Eastern throwing spear.

Might be quite useful to keep in the car.

NARRATOR: Christina, focus, please.

That's quite nice.

That's really sweet, isn't it?

A little porcupine quill box-- really quite unusual.

It's not the sort of thing that we do now, is using porcupine quills.

But they did.

It was quite exotic.

So we've got porcupine quills set into the box, and then what looks like ebony and possibly ivory inlaid.

NARRATOR: Ivory can only be traded if it predates the 1947 CITES agreement.

This box is well over 100 years old.

It's quite fun-- sort of Anglo-Indian, isn't it?

It's lovely.

NARRATOR: It's priced at 29 pounds.

Oh, we have a visitor.

Have you bought anything?

I'm thinking.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: Thinking?

Yeah.

I thought I could smell something.

Yeah, well, I've thunked it out already.

OK. Well, thunk away.

- All right.

I will.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: I'll see you later.

Yeah.

Bye, darling.

NARRATOR: It doesn't take long for Mark to thunk about something else.

What's this?

Now this is-- oh.

Ah.

Now it's got something inside it, which is a good sign.

Because you can see this is a chess or drafts board.

And it's made of various woods.

And actually, the box itself looks sort of late 19th century.

And then inside, we've got the chess pieces, which aren't 19th century.

But they are rather amusing, actually.

Because rather than the usual pawns and rooks and castles and a king and a queen, these are made up of various animals.

There's a little rhino there.

He might be the castle.

And it looks like it's all intact.

And the price is 29 pounds.

NARRATOR: Let's call upon Richard to talk about money.

It's got 29 on it as a price.

Yeah.

Could you do me something better than that?

What are you thinking?

Well, I'm going to be very mean.

That's all right.

So I say no.

Well, I'm sure you will.

I was sort of thinking about 15.

OK. Well, I was thinking 20.

20?

Yeah.

So if we settle for 18, could we shake hands?

Thank you very much.

No problem at all.

I think that's a nice set for auction, actually.

It is, yeah.

NARRATOR: Wonderful.

That's one deal in the old bag.

And Richard now has Christina to deal with.

Stand by.

What could that be?

NARRATOR: Remember, the porcupine quill and ivory box is priced at 29 pounds.

All right.

The very best is 20.

20 pounds?

Yeah.

I like it.

It doesn't massively excite.

I'm not haggling, but-- RICHARD: Yes?

--is there any chance it could be 15?

No.

What could be the absolute best on the broken box?

NARRATOR: You'd better buy it now.

What could be the absolute best?

Well, you know, third off's pretty good.

This?

Yeah.

It's very good.

Could it be any better?

- 18.

- 18.

OK. Fair enough.

OK. 18 pounds for a slightly now-dented porcupine quill box.

- Yeah.

- Thanks.

No worries.

That's all right.

Brilliant.

NARRATOR: The porcupine quill and ivory box, with an 11 pound discount.

Nice.

Mark's still mooching about, so stand by.

Richard, I've caught you, then.

Yes.

I've been admiring this little box and cover.

It's not really old, is it?

RICHARD: No-- interesting, though.

It's interesting.

It's all hand-painted and is signed on the bottom.

And I'm trying to convince myself that this might be George V or Nicholas II of Russia.

OK. Yeah.

Because they were seen in sailor costumes a lot.

That's true.

And it's marked up at 20 pounds.

It's a throwaway item, really.

I mean, is there any wiggle room on that?

Very small, I'm afraid.

It's not mine.

- It's one of your dealer's?

It is, yeah.

So she only lets me do 10%.

So I can have it for 18?

Yeah.

Well, I think it's different.

And it's going to shine out at the auction.

So I'm going to buy it for 18.

Thank you very much indeed, Richard.

NARRATOR: Mark's spent a total of 36 pounds on the Russian canister and the chess set.

Meanwhile, Christina is back behind the wheel of the Alfa.

I don't think Mark's a very touchy feely person.

And I just do it.

It just happens.

And I think he gets quite cross with me.

NARRATOR: Just ignore him.

Christina's zipped her way to the city of Gloucester.

It's here that the fearless Gloucestershire regiment, or Glorious Glosters, was formed in 1881.

With more battle honors on their regimental colors than any other British line regiment, the levels of excellence were outstanding, and thus spawned many heroes.

One such hero was the valiant Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart.

A true example of honor and courage, he proved invincible while serving in the Boer war, First World War, and Second World War.

Christina is meeting with museum director of the Soldiers of Gloucestershire, Chris Chatterton, to find out more about this exemplary officer.

CHRIS CHATTERTON: By the time we get to the First World War, he gets shot in the face and loses his eye-- which most of us would think is, pretty much, you've done your duty.

You don't need to serve.

But not de Wiart.

He was one of these chaps who wanted to get back and into the thick of things.

So by wearing a glass eye, he managed to persuade the board to allow him back to the front.

NARRATOR: Surviving life-threatening wounds, de Wiart also had his arm amputated.

But this didn't stop him from serving.

CHRIS CHATTERTON: In June of 1916, he's appointed as the commanding officer of the 8th Gloucesters.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: Right.

CHRIS CHATTERTON: And this is in the immediate build-up to the Battle of the Somme and their orders to attack an area called La Boiselle.

And so de Wiart, one-armed and one-eyed, where his weapons are a bag of grenades-- which he uses by pulling the pins out with his teeth-- they attack over the top.

And they move forward.

NARRATOR: Three battalions join the Gloucesters in their fearless attack in No Man's Land.

But within seconds, all three commanding officers are killed.

De Wiart assumes control of all four battalions.

CHRIS CHATTERTON: So he leads them forward.

The Germans launch a mass counterattack to try and take the trenches back.

And de Wiart-- just through an astonishing feat of bravery, moving up and down the line, controlling all this-- and they achieved their objective.

NARRATOR: In the Battle of the Somme, more than 1 million men were wounded or killed.

The sheer magnitude of de Wiart's courage ensured he was the recipient of the ultimate accolade for valor, the Victoria Cross.

CHRIS CHATTERTON: This is the original medal group of Carton de Wiart.

And that one is the one that's shouting at me.

That's the VC, isn't it?

I've never seen it a Victoria Cross, or a VC, that's not behind glass before.

No.

This is a first for me.

That's amazing.

NARRATOR: Although Adrian Carton de Wiart was awarded the highest honor one can receive for bravery, he was very humble about his achievement.

Whenever he was asked about the VC, he always says it wasn't won by him.

It was won by the magnificent men of the 8th Gloucesters and the bravery that they showed.

And he consistently said that all the way through his life.

NARRATOR: By the time the Second World War arrives, de Wiart's in his 60s.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: So he's what, desk job in the Second World War?

CHRIS CHATTERTON: Absolutely not.

Do you imagine that this man is going to have a desk job?

No.

He's quite good friends with Churchill.

So Churchill sends him to Yugoslavia to be the head of the military mission.

And as he's flying over the Mediterranean, unfortunately, his plane crashes.

So he survives a plane crash.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: No, he doesn't?

He absolutely does.

NARRATOR: De Wiart becomes a prisoner of war in Italy.

And despite attempting an escape, he sees out the war imprisoned and is only freed as part of the armistice agreement.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: Even just small sections of his life, you could make whole films about him.

He sounds like a movie character.

The problem is, his story is so extraordinary.

Who would believe that all of this could happen to just one person in one lifetime?

I mean, it is genuinely remarkable.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: It really is.

It's been so fascinating learning about him.

Thank you so much, Chris.

Thank you.

It's been an absolute joy.

NARRATOR: Lieutenant General Adrian Carton de Wiart remains a paragon of military excellence.

And, would you believe it, the daredevil thrillseeker swapped his swashbuckling lifestyle for peaceful retirement-- salmon fishing in County Cork, where he died at the age of 83.

Mark's made his way to the beautiful Gloucestershire village of Bourton-on-the-Water.

It's dubbed the Little Venice of the Cotswolds because of its elegant walking bridges.

Nice bunting.

They must have known you were coming, like a royal visit.

Also, a hot spot for tourists.

What can our road tripper find in here?

Hello.

I'm Mark.

- Hi.

I'm Andrew.

Nice to meet you, Andrew.

This is an amazing village.

You get so much tourism.

I mean, how many people in an average day?

A bank holiday weekend like this, probably 3,000 to 5,000.

Wow.

God.

No wonder you were smiling.

All that money.

[INAUDIBLE] NARRATOR: 5,000?

I hope there's something left for you, Mark.

[MUSIC PLAYING] What's this he's rooted out, then?

Now this is rather interesting.

This is Edwardian or late Victorian.

And it's a sort of traveling set-- or even, you could, if you wanted to be more artistic, call it a campaign set.

And in here, we've got a little tin case.

And then you pull it out and you've got your own traveling fork.

The handles, I think, are made of bone.

You have a spoon there, of course.

So that could be used as your knife as well.

There is a couple of bits missing.

And we've also got a little spice rack there.

I suppose you keep your salt and pepper or something in it.

NARRATOR: In the late 19th century, when traveling by rail was all the rage, this proved to be a very popular, practical little item.

And it does have the leather cover.

And these sort of things do appeal to various collectors.

And I think that's quite a nice item.

The other thing about it is, if I show you the price, it's 34 pounds.

NARRATOR: Andrew, where are you?

Andy?

You found something?

I did find this.

That's lovely.

- It's great fun, isn't it?

- Yeah.

It's missing, of course, a few pieces.

A few pieces.

And there's a little bit of-- That is the cup to drink from.

Ah.

I was hoping you didn't notice that.

Can you do a very, very special price?

A very special price?

What have we got?

That's really good price now, isn't it?

Some money to be made on that, easily.

At auction, remember.

28 is probably the lowest.

Oh, 28?

Andrew, can't you do it for-- 20?

--I was going to say 20.

Are you happy at 20?

I'm happy at 20.

Deal?

Deal.

And there's the money.

NARRATOR: That was short but sweet.

20 pounds for the late 19th century campaign cutlery set.

Time to call it a day and break for a nice bit of shuteye.

Nighty night.

[MUSIC PLAYING] It's morning.

It's damp.

But there's a whole lot of love in the Alfa.

(SINGING) You're just too good to be true.

Oh, gosh.

(SINGING) Can't take my eyes off of you.

Please try.

(SINGING) You'd feel like heaven to touch.

No, I really wouldn't.

(SINGING) Oh, I want to hold you so much.

Yeah.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: She's quite a good singer, but she's picked the wrong bloke.

Here's what they've bought so far.

Mark has 3 lots-- the Russian canister, the chess set, and the late 19th century campaign cutlery set.

Mark has 178 pounds and 60 pence for the lovely day ahead.

As for Christina, well, she's only got one item-- the porcupine quill and ivory box, which she dropped.

And that leaves her an ample 277 pounds and 20 pence to spend.

We'll catch up with Mark later as Christina's traveled to the town of Tetbury in Gloucestershire.

Prince Charles has a regular visit to this pretty town.

And our own princess is no stranger, either.

Christina's shopped here before, so dealer Julian knows what he's dealing with.

And he'll stand by.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: Julian.

- Lovely to see you again.

How are you?

Well?

Yes, I'm brilliant.

Thank you.

Good.

Good to see you.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Oh!

That looks nice.

All right.

"Wills's Gold Flake, the world's most famous cigarette."

All right-- obviously controversial now because of smoking and all that sort of thing.

But enamel advertising signs are really popular, aren't they?

Well, absolutely.

And I think smoking is part of history.

It's almost sort of a fashion that's come and gone.

And if you think of all the sort of glamorous movie stars in the '30s with their great big cigarette holders, exactly.

And I think, literally, advertising is a part of history.

And that's it.

NARRATOR: And this is an original sign.

But how much do you want for it, Julian?

JULIAN: 150 pounds.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: What could you do on that, Julian?

It's just got to be your very best price.

- One-hit wonder?

- Yep.

I reckon 100 quid.

Really?

Just as a warmer to get you started.

Oh, you're a tease.

I like that.

NARRATOR: While things are bubbling away nicely with Christina, where's our man, Mark?

The town of Stroud in Gloucestershire, that's where.

It's here that the inventor of the lawnmower was born.

Fancy that.

And Mark's next stop, this antiques emporium, looks interesting.

Oh.

Airstream.

NARRATOR: Well, interesting word, "interesting."

Hello.

I'm Mark.

Hello, I'm Sarah.

- Nice to meet you, Sarah.

- And you.

Gosh, you've got a lot of stuff here.

SARAH: I know.

Isn't it wonderful?

MARK STACEY: It is.

I better start rummaging.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: What's going on here, then?

Now they don't look very comfortable.

But you'll be surprised.

It rather is.

Oh, it suits you.

Oh, that suits you.

It suits me, does it?

I found this, Mark.

I thought you might be interested in this.

This is a Nottingham lace bedspread.

Oh, God.

No, I know nothing about lace, though.

How do you know it's Nottingham?

Because it says so on the ticket.

Well, if it's too honest.

Well, I have to be honest.

NARRATOR: During the days of the British Empire, Nottingham was a world leader in lacemaking.

So what does that date from, the sort of 1920s or something?

No, I would say a little bit later than that.

It's a sort of '50s, '60s one.

Well, actually, that's quite pretty, though.

It is, isn't it?

How much is it?

10 pounds to you.

10 pounds?

Yes.

Do you know, you've got me thinking.

I've never bought a piece of lace.

But for 10 pounds-- Do carry it around with you for a while.

Maybe I'll carry it 'round.

Sarah, thank you.

Pleasure.

10 pounds.

That's got to be cheap, isn't it?

I don't know.

10 pounds.

NARRATOR: 10 pounds?

Sounds cheap to me, Mark.

Now Christina, what are you up to?

Oh, that's nice.

That's another angle for the auction, isn't it?

CHRISTINA TREVANION: Yeah.

And that is useful today-- a cutlery tray.

Absolutely.

Do you know what this would be best for at all?

You see, this is where you're missing a tray.

Bottle of wine-- absolutely perfect.

I like your style.

Pop the bottle of wine.

A few [INAUDIBLE] in the middle.

Fantastic.

I love that.

A good lot, I think we've got to cunningly retrieve it from here.

Oh, did it fall on the floor?

A mere 48 pounds.

You found it.

I reckon to you, 35 pounds.

35 pounds?

OK. What's that, about 1830?

Yeah.

1820, 1830, maybe.

If somebody was to invest some elbow grease in that, it could actually be a lovely thing.

JULIAN: Absolutely.

OK, cool.

Hey, we've got lots of things to go on.

It is a good old list coming up.

Yeah.

OK. Can I go and look at some sparkly things now?

- Come on.

- Am I allowed?

If you insist.

I've looked at some wooden stuff.

NARRATOR: Let's leave Christina to nosy at sparkly things and zip back to Mark.

A sea of furniture.

Oh.

Now.

NARRATOR: Now, indeed.

Now, these are sometimes called grandmother clocks.

Because they're much smaller than the long case clocks, which are called grandfather clocks.

But this is actually, I suppose, a miniature long case clock.

And the first thing I quite like about it is, it's got that sort of arts and crafts feel.

You've got almost this Celtic knot carved down here with the panel down here.

It's in light oak.

And you've got nice shelves inside.

There's a key there to lock it.

Of course, there's no real age to this, sadly.

If it was a period, then we'd be looking at a lot of money.

And the price says "clock"-- very descriptive.

55 pounds.

So we're kind of in the ballpark figure.

We just need to get it a bit down.

And I know time is ticking.

So I better get Sarah.

Sarah?

SARAH: Yes, Mark?

Now, come here.

I need your help.

Right, my darling.

How can I help?

Well, I quite like this.

I do.

Because there's no age to it.

No.

I'd really, really like to get it for about 30.

Would you like me to ring?

MARK STACEY: Would you mind?

SARAH: I will, with pleasure.

NARRATOR: So after a quick call to the vendor, here's Sarah back with a verdict.

Oh, Sarah, do sit down.

You've got a stern look on your face.

Is it good news?

- It's very good news.

- Is it?

How much?

30.

Hallelujah.

He's being very generous.

He's being very kind to me.

Will do thank him?

I will, of course.

And I've got some money.

Oh, how lovely.

I love cash.

And, of course, you'll get me some change later?

SARAH: I will.

MARK STACEY: I love it.

NARRATOR: 30 pounds sees Mark clock up another lot for auction.

Here we are, Mark.

Here's your change.

No.

Keep the change.

Oh, thank you.

I want that Nottingham lace.

Oh, how wonderful.

Well done.

NARRATOR: Thought you'd forgotten about that.

A total of 40 pounds buys Mark the clock and the Nottingham lace bedspread.

Christina is still in Tetbury.

I wonder how she's getting on.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: That's nice.

I like that.

Can you hold?

JULIAN: Yeah, of course.

That's cool.

Do I need a bigger tray?

No, I might be able to put them in my cutlery-- Absolutely.

I think this one is [INAUDIBLE] a scope I hope.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: I like that.

That's so 1970s, isn't it?

Look at that.

Yeah.

And of course, they call this modernist-- and very sought after at the moment.

And I think, hopefully-- Oh, don't look at it.

The price will go up.

--what I'm hoping to find is a little hallmark.

Yes.

And actually, it's got a full English hallmark.

It's got [INAUDIBLE] maker EFG-- who, I must admit, I'm waiting for an expert like yourself to tell me who it is.

NARRATOR: Yeah, not so easy, actually.

How much are things in here?

JULIAN: Basically, they're a tenner a lump-- so absolute bargain.

And they're sterling silver.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: OK. Well, I'll have that, definitely.

JULIAN: Great.

OK, right.

So that's got to be silver.

Oh, Yeah, definitely.

It'll be hallmarked inside.

Can you flip the cover?

CHRISTINA TREVANION: That is sweet, isn't it?

Have you seen that little pretty face as well?

Pretty enamel face.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: There is a crack in it.

But for 10 pounds-- 10 pounds for a Victorian ladies' fob.

That's cute.

OK.

I'll have that.

JULIAN: Brilliant.

So technically, I want-- 1, 2, 3, 4-- 40 pounds there.

OK, so let's think.

Because I love that.

And I love the enamel sign.

That's a lot of loves-- and with a combined price of 175 pounds.

So to save a lot of time, how about 150 quid?

Have you got a hot date somewhere that I don't know about?

Get out of here.

Let's just say 100 and I'll go.

I promise I'll leave you in peace.

I promise.

It's not that hot a date.

I promise you.

150 pounds?

I think that's an absolute bargain.

Absolutely right.

150 pounds.

Fantastic.

You're a legend.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: My goodness, Christina, a whirlwind of goodies-- the enamel sign for 100 pounds, the cutlery tray for 25, and the jewelry collection, also for 25.

Wonderful.

Meanwhile, Mark's made his way just up the road to the village of Slad in Gloucestershire.

Right here, in this picture postcard village, was the setting for a local lad's backwards glance at the warm glow of childhood just after the First World War.

That chap was the writer and poet Laurie Lee.

And the novel, "Cider with Rosie," would become a worldwide bestseller.

Mark's meeting with writer Kevan Manwaring to find out just how much the rolling green valley and surrounds would prove to be instrumental in Laurie's writing triumph.

Kevan, we're sitting in The Woolpack Inn in Slad.

Why is this so important?

Well, this was his local pub.

He almost lived here.

Actually, his house was next door.

So it was within striking distance.

He often would be drinking something a little bit stronger than we're drinking today.

But he would kind of hold court here with his friends.

And he loved to kind of meet and greet visitors to Slad, who often came here to see him.

He was very much a local man, a village man.

And in a way, he kind of lived off of that myth for the rest of his life.

NARRATOR: "Cider with Rosie" propelled Laurie Lee to starry success in 1959.

Aged 45, his ode to village life would become an overnight sensation.

It was reprinted 3 times within the first month-- Gosh!

--of its publication and went on to sell 6 million copies around the world.

He was writing about stuff from a long time ago.

But in a way, perhaps that gave him a critical distance to do it justice, to capture that childhood, that age that will never come back again.

This was at the end of the First World War.

And things were never going to be quite the same after that war.

It captured a time, I think, of Britain in a very special period.

But did that time ever really exist?

Well, as he says in the book, it was somewhat distorted by time.

He kind of adds that important caveat.

I think we have to allow him that, allow him his artistic license.

NARRATOR: As a local himself, Kevan knows all the haunts of Laurie Lee.

Why are we here, Kevan?

Well, this is the perfect place to read out a section of the book.

Because behind us is his house they lived in-- in front of us, the school he went to as a young boy.

So that's why I wanted to bring you here.

MARK STACEY: "The June grass amongst which I stood was taller than I was, and I wept.

I had never been so close to grass before."

I mean, that really gets you straight into it.

You want to read more.

Definitely.

What a place to start.

In media res, here we are, plunged into the grass with a three-year-old Laurie Lee, up to his eyeballs in grass, so embedded in nature from the very beginning.

Wonderful.

The success of "Cider with Rosie" allowed Laurie Lee to become a full-time writer.

He went on to create an autobiographical trilogy and a selection of novels, poetry, and plays.

Laurie Lee returned to his beloved childhood home in the 1960s and lived here for many years until he passed away in 1997, aged 82.

Laurie Lee said that he wanted to be buried between the church and the pub so that he could balance the secular and the spiritual.

So here it is.

MARK STACEY: Gosh, a wonderful-- very simple.

KEVAN MANWARING: Yeah-- very understated, very modest, and an inscription below-- "He lies in the valley he loves," which says it all, really.

MARK STACEY: It does, doesn't it?

NARRATOR: It really does.

The village of Slad is the perfect resting place for Laurie Lee, the author that created such beautiful prose that continues to be loved by millions the world over.

Meanwhile, Christina has journeyed to the capital of the Cotswolds, the town of Cirencester.

Oh, this looks nice.

- Hello.

- Hello.

Hi.

Pleased to meet you-- Brian.

Very pleased to meet you, Brian.

My goodness, I love your tie piece.

BRIAN: Oh, thank you.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: A man of bling.

I love it.

Hello.

Hi-- Christina.

- Will.

Will.

Lovely to meet you, Will.

Great hair.

It looks like you've been in a strong wind.

It takes a long time to get like that.

Oh, does it?

Right.

Well, this is cool, Brian.

It's a lot of cabinets going on here.

BRIAN: Yeah, it's quite deceiving.

It goes on for miles.

It's a bit of a TARDIS, this building.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: Oh, is it?

So please feel free to have a good wander.

OK.

I will have a good wander.

But I have to be honest with you.

I've seen something in the window that I like.

I love that petrol canister that you've got at the far end.

BRIAN: The round one?

- Yeah.

Can I have a look?

Sure, yeah.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: Let's have a look.

I love it.

It sounds completely crazy to say I love a petrol canister.

But it's certainly seen a bit of life.

BRIAN: It's lived.

NARRATOR: Believe it or not, there are collectors of old petrol cans.

As always, condition is key.

This may not be the gamble it seems.

OK, guys.

So what have we got on that?

49 is the label on there.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: 49 pounds?

OK. Is there anything that you can do, bearing in mind I'm not allowed to haggle?

I love it.

A sharp intake of breath.

BRIAN: Could do it for 40 for you.

40 pounds?

OK.

So at auction, for me, I see that at 30 to 50 pounds.

Is there any way that you can sort of nudge down a touch?

Because obviously, I know-- 35?

--35?

OK.

I'm not allowed to haggle.

So you-- it's like a little sound effect, isn't it?

NARRATOR: Well, your offer is a bit cheeky, Christina.

I think at 30 pounds, I'd love it.

I think it's fab.

But I'll go for a wander to see what else you've got.

All right?

See you in a minute.

Bye.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Having looked 'round here, it is amazing.

It just goes on and on and on.

It really does.

It just keeps giving.

But for me, I think it's all about the petrol can.

And if I can get that for 30 pounds, I'd be a happy girl.

NARRATOR: Well, wouldn't we all, darling?

Let's go and ask about it.

Hi, guys.

BRIAN: Hello.

Gosh, it goes on and on and on, doesn't it?

You've had a good rummage.

I really have.

There's some amazing stuff.

But I can't stop thinking about this.

Oh, first love they say.

Yeah, exactly.

Is there any chance you could do it for 30 pounds?

There is.

Yeah?

I've had a word with my superior, the senior assistant.

Really?

Yes, for you.

NARRATOR: Well, that worked out just fine in the end.

And that purchase completes the shopping of this road trip.

Cheerio.

NARRATOR: It's like a handbag.

Christina has a total of 5 lots-- the porcupine quill and ivory box, the cutlery tray, the collection of jewelry, the enamel sign, and, of course, the vintage petrol canister.

Christina has spent a total of 198 pounds.

Mark also bought 5 lots-- the Russian canister, the chess set, the campaign cutlery set, the Nottingham lace bedspread, and the grandmother clock.

He bought all of that for just 96 pounds.

Come on, you two.

Thoughts on one another's buys?

Be truthful.

Be candid.

Be honest.

The thing that I'm probably most nervous about is his grandmother clock, which I think is absolutely gorgeous.

And he only spent 30 pounds on it.

That, for me, is dangerous territory.

Advertising is really in at the moment-- very fashionable, very commercial at auction.

I'm not sure about the Wills's cigarette connotation.

But 100 pounds?

Good on you, Christina.

You've given it a bash there.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: The bedspread is an odd choice, isn't it?

MARK STACEY: Petrol cans, French or otherwise, have no interest to me whatsoever.

Are they commercial?

I would never claim.

And quite frankly, I don't give a damn.

Who's going to win this auction?

Me.

OK?

NARRATOR: You sure?

Oh, probably not now.

NARRATOR: Lordy.

Cameraman's blushing.

Right.

The auction is nearly upon us, and our pair are headed for their second sale room battle in Knutsford, in Cheshire.

I predicted that I was going to win.

But I don't think I will now.

Today?

Oh, I don't know, Christina.

I think that grandmother clock could see me into the runners-up position.

Oh.

Say that again.

NARRATOR: I think someone wants to win.

Well, best of luck.

Oh, I know, Christina.

But whatever happens, we'll still be friends.

Really?

Get in.

NARRATOR: It's a general sale today at Wright Marshall.

The auctioneer taking command of the room is Nick Hall.

Come on, spill it about our pair's offerings.

These big enamel signs, even in distressed condition like today's one, is so on-trend at the minute.

It just fits in with that cool 20th century chic interior that's going on in a minute.

I particularly like the little campaign piece as well, with all the little accouterments inside it.

Now they are quite sought after.

And I particularly like the quality of that.

I think, if I'm going to predict anything, that could go over estimate.

NARRATOR: Take your seats.

The auction's are about to begin.

And we're also live on the internet today.

Here we are.

It's exciting, isn't it?

Yeah.

Have you got a catalog?

- I have.

- Where'd you get it from?

- Ah.

- Oh, blimey.

I know the powers that be, you see.

Do you?

No.

NARRATOR: First up, it's Christina's porcupine quill and ivory box.

NICK HALL: 30 for it.

35, thank you.

35.

Really, madam, don't drop out.

35, he's got.

Really?

NICK HALL: 40.

Go 40?

Come on.

Nod at me.

Thank you, madam.

40 I am bid.

40 pounds.

NICK HALL: Lady seated at 40 pounds.

You in at the back, sir?

It's against you at 40.

Lady seated at 40 pounds.

All done?

Are you sure?

With you, madam.

Nothing online.

40 and selling.

Your bid.

All sure?

All done?

- What did it sell for?

- 40 pounds.

Oh, blimey!

You made 22 pounds on that.

NARRATOR: A nice start for Christina with a nice profit.

Next, it's Mark's Russian canister thingy.

15?

Tenner.

Thank you, sir.

MARK STACEY: 10 is bad.

Come on.

More, more.

NICK HALL: I'm 10 pounds.

You're not rushing to bid, are you?

- Oh, come on.

- 15.

20 with you, sir.

20.

At 20.

Not dear at 20.

MARK STACEY: That's not dear.

- All done?

Last chance.

With you, at 20 now.

[GAVEL BANGS] Oh, Christina.

NARRATOR: Just remember, it's early days, Mark.

[INAUDIBLE] it's just warming up.

I'm just warming up.

So I'm even further behind you now, which is really making my day.

NARRATOR: I can see that.

It's Christina's cutlery tray next.

15.

1-5.

15.

I start on commissions.

20 I'm bid at the back.

At 20 pounds.

You bidding online?

The bid's at 20.

Go 5.

25.

Thank you.

You bidding?

30.

5.

35.

35 in the red.

Don't shake Would you say 35?

35.

Bid's in the room.

What about you online?

Try one more.

I got 35.

Bid at the back of the room.

With you, sir, at 35 pounds.

All done?

NARRATOR: Another good result, Christina.

Well done.

And another profit.

Well done.

Only just.

Well, it's a profit.

Slow and steady.

NARRATOR: Come on, Mark.

It's your unusual chess set next.

20?

20 pounds, surely.

- Oh, come on.

NICK HALL: Thank you, sir.

20 I am bid.

The bid's in at 20, and cheap at that.

5 online.

30.

That's a profit.

NICK HALL: We've got 30 in the room.

Do I have 5?

I got 30.

Try another.

At 30 pounds.

With you, sir, at 30.

At 30.

The gent has it.

[INAUDIBLE] one bid [INAUDIBLE] NICK HALL: 30 pounds?

Checkmate at 30?

All sure?

All done?

[GAVEL BANGS] Well, that's 12 pounds profit.

It's better than nothing.

NARRATOR: Absolutely.

You just need a few more like that to help you get back in the game.

The collection of jewelry from Christina is next.

20 start me [INAUDIBLE] surely.

Thank you.

20 I'm bid.

20 now.

Where's online?

20 I'm offered.

Nice jewelry.

5.

30.

Don't shake.

35.

New bid.

50.

- Wow.

Gentleman standing.

Any more?

At 50 pounds with you, sir.

[INAUDIBLE] NICK HALL: At 50 pounds.

Apart from 50, anyone else?

Missed anyone?

Your bid at the back.

At 50 and selling.

[GAVEL BANGS] Do you know, that was a very good result.

NARRATOR: Ah, Christina really knows what she's doing-- another lovely profit.

Mark's campaign cutlery set is up for grabs next.

This is an internet video stream.

I hope so.

20 pounds?

Yeah.

20 I am bid [INAUDIBLE].

Thank you.

At 20.

5.

30.

5.

40.

5.

50.

At 50.

Any more than 50?

Against you online.

At 50 pounds.

[INAUDIBLE] More, more, more.

NICK HALL: All sure and done at 50?

[GAVEL BANGS] But I just thought that might fly a bit.

That was tasty.

NARRATOR: Tasty, indeed.

A much meatier profit for Mark.

That is my favorite lot that you have bought.

So far.

So I'm going to hope then.

NARRATOR: Next up, it's Christina's pricey advertising sign.

I completely fell in love with it, bought it with my heart, and paid too much money for it.

I don't know.

Because sometimes when you buy with your heart, it's good.

At 75 I start.

80.

5.

90.

5.

Round me up.

Come on.

Try 100.

100 I am bid.

Thank you.

OK. Now I've cleared my debt.

NICK HALL: Fresh blood at 110.

Now.

120.

120 here.

Worth a bit more.

Come on.

I've got 120.

Look at the sign.

Look at the condition of the sign.

I've got 120.

Any more?

Any advance?

With you, sir.

And seated.

All done?

[GAVEL BANGS] That was better than I expected.

NARRATOR: Another profit not to be sniffed at.

- Could have been worse.

- It could have been.

I was hoping.

NARRATOR: Oh, he is a rascal.

Now it's Mark's Nottingham lace bedspread.

I'm hoping that maybe all those Nottingham lace collectors out there will be online.

It's decorated with romantic panels of cherubs, fruits of love, and playful putto.

What more could you possibly want?

Two play for putto down here, with their fingers crossed.

[INAUDIBLE] 20.

Thank you, sir.

20 I'm bid.

And that's 20 pounds.

Who's got 5?

5 online.

25.

At 25.

30.

Nice quality lot, this.

At 30 pounds.

35.

At 35 online.

Go on, sir.

It's lovely.

One more.

NICK HALL: Online bidding.

You sure?

Try that.

Go on.

Quick.

Don't miss it for a bid.

NICK HALL: I got 35 against you.

Try and round it up.

Go on.

You know it makes sense.

No?

I've got 35, then.

Online?

He's out.

35 and selling.

[GAVEL BANGS] NARRATOR: Another tidy little earner.

That's still a profit.

I know, but I need a big profit, Christina.

But, Mark, seriously.

I'm getting a bit worried now.

NARRATOR: Worry ye not.

It's your vintage petrol can next.

30?

20?

Come on, 20 pounds, surely.

Thank you, sir.

20 I'm bid.

Anyone advance on 20?

Nice bit of advertising memorabilia.

25 now.

30 now.

At 35.

35.

It's 35 with you, sir.

Try another online.

Come on.

Fill your tank.

Bid again.

40.

Thank you.

40 I'm bid.

Come on.

NICK HALL: 40 pounds online.

MARK STACEY: Careful, darling.

NICK HALL: Nothing in the room?

40 and selling.

All done?

[GAVEL BANGS] Oh, Christina.

Thanks.

I'm so sorry.

NARRATOR: Once more with sincerity, Mark.

Well, it's all to play for with Mark's final lot, the grandmother clock.

At the moment, I think we're neck-and-neck.

I think we are neck-and-neck.

I think so.

- 50 pounds?

- Yes.

- 40?

No.

Up.

30?

Come on.

30 pounds.

[INAUDIBLE] oak clock.

30 I'm bid.

Thank you.

30 I'm offered.

Any advance on 30?

Try 5.

Where's 5?

It's with you at 30 now.

At 30 seated.

Sounds cheap to me.

Come on.

Tick, tock.

Tick, tock.

All sure?

All done?

It's 30 pounds, the maiden bid.

At 30 and selling.

[GAVEL BANGS] That's unfortunate.

NARRATOR: Disappointing, but what a great buy for the bidder.

Come on.

Let's go and count some numbers.

Yeah, come on.

NARRATOR: Time for the calculations, then.

Christina set out with 295 pounds and 20 pence, and after auction costs, made a profit of 35 pounds and 70p, leaving her with a rather lovely 330 pounds and 90 pence for next time.

Mark started with 234 pounds and 60 pence.

After paying sale room fees, he's made a profit of 39 pounds and 30p, leaving him with 273 pounds and 90 pence.

He's today's auction champion and has chipped into Christina's overall lead.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: Oh, fantastic.

Profits all 'round, Christina.

Profits all 'round.

But?

I'm still 60 pounds behind.

Still?

MARK STACEY: So I'm not happy.

CHRISTINA TREVANION: Oh, Mark, come on.

MARK STACEY: No, I am happy, Christina.

What can we do to make you happy?

MARK STACEY: Could you drive me home, Jeeves?

NARRATOR: Cheerio, road trippers.

[MUSIC PLAYING]