Latest news with #Ernie
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC Antiques Roadshow expert issues warning as 'frightening' item is valued at £70k
Antiques Roadshow expert Steven Moore was left gobsmacked as he spoke with a mother and daughter who were in possession of a "frightening" family heirloom. One guest on Antiques Roadshow was left completely astonished to discover the hidden value of a family keepsake that had been terrorising youngsters. Whilst at Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland, expert Steven Moore encountered a peculiar artefact. The item, brought on the BBC show by a mother and her daughter, was a bizarre combination of avian head and amphibian body. Moore said: "Looking at this, I can't help thinking of a phrase of my grandmother's. 'It's a face only a mother could love.' Do you love them?". The mother admitted: "Well I do. For a while it lived in my parents' house in a cupboard in the spare bedroom." Although her daughter recounted the more distressing childhood memories saying: "The bedroom that my brother and I would stay in if we stayed over and we were terrified of it. Definitely couldn't sleep with it in there. We would cry until it was removed and hidden far away from us." Moore went on to articulate the unusual charm behind the Martin Brothers' pieces, reports the Mirror. He said: "That's the thing about Martin Brothers. They were idiosyncratic, one way to describe them." "Crazies may be another way to describe them," he interjected before delving into the features of the sculpture. He inquisitively asked about the abstract form: "Robert Wallace Martin who made this, got so much character into this face which is clearly a bird. But what's going on here [with the body]?". "Did you have a name for him or was it just sort of terrified?," he noted. The revelation came when they shared that they called the piece Ernie, to which Moore playfully remarked: "That seems a very unscary name." The mum shared a touching tale: "Well the story is that my grandparents saw it in an antique shop and walked past it and admired it a few times, or at least my grandmother did. "And then one day she walked past and it was gone but what had happened, my grandfather had a winnings on the premium bonds and he went and bought it for her". Expert Moore ingeniously connected the item's nickname to the iconic lottery machine, remarking: "Hence, the name of the computer that drew the premium bonds, of course," alluding to Ernie, the Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment. He further speculated: "In theory, there's no reason why there could have been a kiln disaster and the body of this one and the head of this one were destroyed and thought 'Well actually, you know what?' "So yes, maybe they could have put them together but what I think is more likely to happen is a dealer has probably found this [pointing to the item's body]. "And thought 'one day, I might find the head'. And they found this head and they put them together and sold them." When appraising the "collectible" yet mismatched pieces, Moore valued the base at £2,000 and the head at an impressive £4,000. "That's a lot for just a head," quipped the daughter, amused by the valuation, but Moore wasn't finished just yet, hinting at another intriguing aspect of the story. He continued: "But there's an intriguing possibility. If you could find the head for this body and you could find the body for this head, you would have a profit of £60,000 to £70,000, because that's how much the two separate items would be if they were complete." The disclosure of such an extraordinary figure left the mother absolutely gobsmacked, her expression one of sheer astonishment, while her daughter remained composed. Her reaction saw her elated: "That is amazing. I don't think he's grown on me and I don't think I'd be impressed if I got him as a birthday present as my great-grandma did." Moore then quipped in amusement: "So Ernie hasn't gone up in your estimation," eliciting her response: "He brings back quite funny memories so I feel like he has to stay in the family."
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
On the trip of a lifetime, I left my camera behind. I don't regret it
It's when I'm packing for this trip that I realise I have one small-plane flight with severe luggage restrictions. At the last minute, I decide to leave the new camera behind. As I'm driven to the airport, however, I feel like I've left my passport at home, that's how important this piece of equipment feels to my identity as a traveller. And that's when I catch a glimpse of my past self being one of those photo bro types. And when the very same charter flight that caused me to leave my camera behind swoops down across Kruger National Park, affording impressive panoramas of the 2-million-hectare vastness, it is just begging to be captured with a wide-angle lens. The plane lands at Ngala's private airstrip, where one of the special green LandCruisers awaits with its three-tiered open-air seating for our party of five, our tracker Ernie and guide Marcus standing by it smiling welcomely. It's a Kodak moment. And it won't be long before I realise the camp, edging the wide, sandy, bed of the Timbavati River, is built right on an elephant crossing which the (mostly) gentle giants often use to access the lush greenery directly in front of Ngala's spa, bar and dining areas. I'm full of high-res regret. Fortunately, at camp, there's plenty to distract me. The marvellously situated 25-year-old property greatly pleases this design devotee. It has just emerged from a six-month closure during which it was fully renovated to reflect modern tastes as well as its environment. A spa was added, and the tented suites were given large verandahs. Considered the benchmark for ethical luxury safari, &Beyond's credentials are many. It is also at the higher end of experiences. With only one other property, the family-friendly Ngala Safari Lodge on its nearly 15,000-hectare unfenced reserve, the couple-focused Ngala Tented Camp offers exclusivity and a price to go with it. The tariff, however, not only covers these exquisite digs, but three sublime meals a day, with three courses at lunch and dinner and matched wines during the latter. There are drinks available all day, including a help-yourself bar by the pool, a cocktail bar featuring full bottles of premium spirits alongside a beans-grinding Jura coffee machine and snacks. A scrumptious afternoon tea is served and the staff organise special treat meals, such as breakfast and dinner, to be served in the bush or poolside. Then there's the opportunity to visit communities to learn about the good works &Beyond affiliate, Wild Impact is doing in inventive and inspiring ways. But of course, the main game is those safari drives. And therein lies the true value for money. Ngala was the first private game reserve to be incorporated into the Kruger National Park and has exclusive traversing rights over wilderness owned by the World Wildlife Foundation and leased to &Beyond. At the tented camp, there are only nine suites. And it's this that really facilitates my photo bro rehab. Africa is far from immune to overtourism and crowding has become a serious issue in popular safari destinations with large numbers of vehicles jostling for the best positions to view wildlife that may become skittish because of this human activity, not to mention endangering said animals. It is anxiety inducing for humans as well. The frantic atmosphere of competition and limited opportunity contributes to the compulsion to mindlessly snap away, for fear the moment ends without having something to show for it. At Ngala, we watch the animals live their lives without greatly interrupting them, mostly with one, perhaps two safari vehicles present. In eight drives (two a day) of around four hours each, we only have one instance of three vehicles in situ, and because they are all on the same team, the interaction is respectful and careful. And because of this minimal interruption, the interface with the wildlife is extended. That, my friends, is a real luxury. There are many highlights across our stay. They begin with our first drive, when a male lion saunters around a corner directly in front of us and stops at a small body of water in the river bed to drink. We are so close, we hear him lapping. A leopard appears on the same patch of road, letting out a low growl as it passes our stopped vehicle, so near, I see her whiskers twitch. Amid a group of nine lions, part of a bigger group known as the Birmingham Pride, we watch a white lion cub, one of only four of this hue known in the wild. I relish hearing the soft shuffle of elephant feet in sandy soil, the rustle of rhino in bushes, the chomp-chomp of giraffe feeding, lions calling and oh, the birds. So many stunning feathered friends. We even love watching the grisly spectacle of vultures finishing off a buffalo carcass. I giggle like a kid to hear an elephant fart. Ngala is famous for lions – the name actually means 'lion' in the local Shangaan language. On one of our last drives we witness a lioness attacking a zebra. We hear the thud as she lands on its back, and a crack as the zebra kicks her and escapes. Loading We sit and watch a dam for an hour as hippos emerge, measuring whether the heat of the day has dissipated enough to warrant them fully getting out of the water. There, the sky turns a deep velvet blue splashed with tutti-frutti – oranges, yellows and pinks. Ernie and Marcus set up the sundowners. The stars emerge and spangle. It's one of the most peaceful interludes I can recall, and mostly, I have simply immersed myself in it. I say mostly – I have my iPhone with me, and snap plenty of memories. That's a different kind of photography, at least, for me: more about reminders, less about possession and obsession. Will I always leave my camera behind? No. I enjoy photography, and truthfully, I would have loved to have seen what my new equipment could do with all that beauty and magnificence at Ngala. But I know I'll be different the next time I go visiting a wildlife and wilderness environment. I will probably still chase that dopamine fix of Instagram posts, but I hope, as with this trip, I'll do it considerably less. And I'll be mindful of tempering the ego- and anxiety-driven desire to get the best shot of an animal, enjoying instead the feelings of humility and awe that come from simply watching such precious creatures go about their business. THE DETAILS VISIT &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp is in &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve, Timbavati, South Africa; From $2080 (ZAR24,100) fully inclusive per person a night twin share. Transfers are not included in the price. See STAY On arrival in Johannesburg, we stayed at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, a European villa-style property with maximalist decor and a great restaurant, 20 kilometres from the city centre. Rooms from $380 a night. 1 Alma Rd, Morningside, Sandton, South Africa; +27 11 808 7300. See On the way home, I bunked in at the InterContinental O.R. Tambo Airport, one of the nicest airport hotels anywhere – and very conveniently situated opposite the International Arrivals Hall. Rooms from around $630 a night. O.R. Tambo International Airport, Kempton Park, Johannesburg; +27 11 961 5400. See Loading TRANSFER Transfer options include by road in a private car – Ngala is about six hours from Johannesburg. Federal Airlines flies charters and shuttles from Johannesburg to Ngala Private Airfield. See Airlink flies between Johannesburg and Hoedspruit. See &Beyond can organise a pick-up from there. The road trip takes about an hour.
The Age
4 days ago
- The Age
On the trip of a lifetime, I left my camera behind. I don't regret it
It's when I'm packing for this trip that I realise I have one small-plane flight with severe luggage restrictions. At the last minute, I decide to leave the new camera behind. As I'm driven to the airport, however, I feel like I've left my passport at home, that's how important this piece of equipment feels to my identity as a traveller. And that's when I catch a glimpse of my past self being one of those photo bro types. And when the very same charter flight that caused me to leave my camera behind swoops down across Kruger National Park, affording impressive panoramas of the 2-million-hectare vastness, it is just begging to be captured with a wide-angle lens. The plane lands at Ngala's private airstrip, where one of the special green LandCruisers awaits with its three-tiered open-air seating for our party of five, our tracker Ernie and guide Marcus standing by it smiling welcomely. It's a Kodak moment. And it won't be long before I realise the camp, edging the wide, sandy, bed of the Timbavati River, is built right on an elephant crossing which the (mostly) gentle giants often use to access the lush greenery directly in front of Ngala's spa, bar and dining areas. I'm full of high-res regret. Fortunately, at camp, there's plenty to distract me. The marvellously situated 25-year-old property greatly pleases this design devotee. It has just emerged from a six-month closure during which it was fully renovated to reflect modern tastes as well as its environment. A spa was added, and the tented suites were given large verandahs. Considered the benchmark for ethical luxury safari, &Beyond's credentials are many. It is also at the higher end of experiences. With only one other property, the family-friendly Ngala Safari Lodge on its nearly 15,000-hectare unfenced reserve, the couple-focused Ngala Tented Camp offers exclusivity and a price to go with it. The tariff, however, not only covers these exquisite digs, but three sublime meals a day, with three courses at lunch and dinner and matched wines during the latter. There are drinks available all day, including a help-yourself bar by the pool, a cocktail bar featuring full bottles of premium spirits alongside a beans-grinding Jura coffee machine and snacks. A scrumptious afternoon tea is served and the staff organise special treat meals, such as breakfast and dinner, to be served in the bush or poolside. Then there's the opportunity to visit communities to learn about the good works &Beyond affiliate, Wild Impact is doing in inventive and inspiring ways. But of course, the main game is those safari drives. And therein lies the true value for money. Ngala was the first private game reserve to be incorporated into the Kruger National Park and has exclusive traversing rights over wilderness owned by the World Wildlife Foundation and leased to &Beyond. At the tented camp, there are only nine suites. And it's this that really facilitates my photo bro rehab. Africa is far from immune to overtourism and crowding has become a serious issue in popular safari destinations with large numbers of vehicles jostling for the best positions to view wildlife that may become skittish because of this human activity, not to mention endangering said animals. It is anxiety inducing for humans as well. The frantic atmosphere of competition and limited opportunity contributes to the compulsion to mindlessly snap away, for fear the moment ends without having something to show for it. At Ngala, we watch the animals live their lives without greatly interrupting them, mostly with one, perhaps two safari vehicles present. In eight drives (two a day) of around four hours each, we only have one instance of three vehicles in situ, and because they are all on the same team, the interaction is respectful and careful. And because of this minimal interruption, the interface with the wildlife is extended. That, my friends, is a real luxury. There are many highlights across our stay. They begin with our first drive, when a male lion saunters around a corner directly in front of us and stops at a small body of water in the river bed to drink. We are so close, we hear him lapping. A leopard appears on the same patch of road, letting out a low growl as it passes our stopped vehicle, so near, I see her whiskers twitch. Amid a group of nine lions, part of a bigger group known as the Birmingham Pride, we watch a white lion cub, one of only four of this hue known in the wild. I relish hearing the soft shuffle of elephant feet in sandy soil, the rustle of rhino in bushes, the chomp-chomp of giraffe feeding, lions calling and oh, the birds. So many stunning feathered friends. We even love watching the grisly spectacle of vultures finishing off a buffalo carcass. I giggle like a kid to hear an elephant fart. Ngala is famous for lions – the name actually means 'lion' in the local Shangaan language. On one of our last drives we witness a lioness attacking a zebra. We hear the thud as she lands on its back, and a crack as the zebra kicks her and escapes. Loading We sit and watch a dam for an hour as hippos emerge, measuring whether the heat of the day has dissipated enough to warrant them fully getting out of the water. There, the sky turns a deep velvet blue splashed with tutti-frutti – oranges, yellows and pinks. Ernie and Marcus set up the sundowners. The stars emerge and spangle. It's one of the most peaceful interludes I can recall, and mostly, I have simply immersed myself in it. I say mostly – I have my iPhone with me, and snap plenty of memories. That's a different kind of photography, at least, for me: more about reminders, less about possession and obsession. Will I always leave my camera behind? No. I enjoy photography, and truthfully, I would have loved to have seen what my new equipment could do with all that beauty and magnificence at Ngala. But I know I'll be different the next time I go visiting a wildlife and wilderness environment. I will probably still chase that dopamine fix of Instagram posts, but I hope, as with this trip, I'll do it considerably less. And I'll be mindful of tempering the ego- and anxiety-driven desire to get the best shot of an animal, enjoying instead the feelings of humility and awe that come from simply watching such precious creatures go about their business. THE DETAILS VISIT &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp is in &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve, Timbavati, South Africa; From $2080 (ZAR24,100) fully inclusive per person a night twin share. Transfers are not included in the price. See STAY On arrival in Johannesburg, we stayed at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, a European villa-style property with maximalist decor and a great restaurant, 20 kilometres from the city centre. Rooms from $380 a night. 1 Alma Rd, Morningside, Sandton, South Africa; +27 11 808 7300. See On the way home, I bunked in at the InterContinental O.R. Tambo Airport, one of the nicest airport hotels anywhere – and very conveniently situated opposite the International Arrivals Hall. Rooms from around $630 a night. O.R. Tambo International Airport, Kempton Park, Johannesburg; +27 11 961 5400. See Loading TRANSFER Transfer options include by road in a private car – Ngala is about six hours from Johannesburg. Federal Airlines flies charters and shuttles from Johannesburg to Ngala Private Airfield. See Airlink flies between Johannesburg and Hoedspruit. See &Beyond can organise a pick-up from there. The road trip takes about an hour.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Antiques Roadshow guest amazed as 'terrifying' item potentially worth thousands
An Antiques Roadshow guest explained that there was a "possibility" that an unusual ornament could be worth a five-figure sum. An Antiques Roadshow guest was gobsmacked at the potential fortune behind a quirky family heirloom that had been scaring children for years. Expert Steven Moore, while filming at Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland, encountered a mother and daughter with a peculiar ornament – a fusion of a bird's head and what seemed to be a frog's body. Moore quipped: "Looking at this, I can't help thinking of a phrase of my grandmother's. 'It's a face only a mother could love.' Do you love them?" The mother confessed: "Well I do. For a while it lived in my parents' house in a cupboard in the spare bedroom." Her daughter, however, recounted: "The bedroom that my brother and I would stay in if we stayed over and we were terrified of it. "Definitely couldn't sleep with it in there. We would cry until it was removed and hidden far away from us." Moore continued, highlighting the eccentric nature of the Martin Brothers' creations: "That's the thing about Martin Brothers. They were idiosyncratic, one way to describe them. "Crazies may be another way to describe them," he added, before probing further into the ornament's bizarre design. "Robert Wallace Martin who made this, got so much character into this face which is clearly a bird. But what's going on here [with the body]? "Did you have a name for him or was it just sort of terrified?" After revealing the item had been called Ernie, Moore quipped: "That seems a very unscary name." The mum elaborated: "Well the story is that my grandparents saw it in an antique shop and walked past it and admired it a few times, or at least my grandmother did. "And then one day she walked past and it was gone but what had happened, my grandfather had a winnings on the premium bonds and he went and bought it for her -". Moore cleverly linked the nickname to the famous lottery computer, saying: "Hence, the name of the computer that drew the premium bonds, of course," referencing Ernie, the Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment. He then noted: "In theory, there's no reason why there could have been a kiln disaster and the body of this one and the head of this one were destroyed and thought 'Well actually, you know what?' "So yes, maybe they could have put them together but what I think is more likely to happen is a dealer has probably found this [referencing the item's body]. "And thought 'one day, I might find the head'. And they found this head and they put them together and sold them." When it came to valuing the "collectible" and mismatched items, Moore estimated the base at £2,000 and the head at a hefty £4,000. "That's a lot for just a head," the daughter responded with a laugh, but Moore had yet another detail to add. He added: "But there's an intriguing possibility. If you could find the head for this body and you could find the body for this head, you would have a profit of £60,000 to £70,000, because that's how much the two separate items would be if they were complete." The revelation of such a staggering value left the mum utterly flabbergasted, her face a picture of shock, while her daughter managed to keep her cool. She responded excitedly: "That is amazing. I don't think he's grown on me and I don't think I'd be impressed if I got him as a birthday present as my great-grandma did. "So Ernie hasn't gone up in your estimation," Moore joked, to which she said: "He brings back quite funny memories so I feel like he has to stay in the family."
Edinburgh Live
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Antiques Roadshow item that ‘terrified' kids could be worth five figures on one condition
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Antiques Roadshow. An Antiques Roadshow expert explained how his guests could get their hands on thousands of pounds with their quirky family heirloom. BBC expert Steven Moore filmed another episode of the BBC classic daytime series, this time travelling to the Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland. This was where he met a mother-and-daughter duo who presented him with a ornament that appeared to have a bird's head and perhaps a frog's body. He began: 'Looking at this, I can't help thinking of a phrase of my grandmother's. 'It's a face only a mother could love.' Do you love them?' The mum replied: 'Well I do. For a while it lived in my parents' house in a cupboard in the spare bedroom.' Her daughter then shared that the younger members of the family weren't exactly fans of the item growing up. 'The bedroom that my brother and I would stay in if we stayed over and we were terrified of it. 'Definitely couldn't sleep with it in there. We would cry until it was removed and hidden far away from us.' (Image: BBC) 'That's the thing about Martin Brothers. They were idiosyncratic, one way to describe them. 'Crazies may be another way to describe them," Moore said. 'Robert Wallace Martin who made this, got so much character into this face which is clearly a bird. But what's going on here [with the body]? 'Did you have a name for him or was it just sort of terrified?' When the mum shared that he was nicknamed Ernie, the expert laughed: 'That seems a very unscary name.' She elaborated: 'Well the story is that my grandparents saw it in an antique shop and walked past it and admired it a few times, or at least my grandmother did. 'And then one day she walked past and it was gone but what had happened, my grandfather had a winnings on the premium bonds and he went and bought it for her -' Moore then interjected: 'Hence, the name of the computer that drew the premium bonds, of course," referring to Ernie which stands for Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment. He then turned his attention to the fact that the head, which could be taken off, did not match with the body. He commented: 'In theory, there's no reason why there could have been a kiln disaster and the body of this one and the head of this one were destroyed and thought 'Well actually, you know what?' (Image: BBC) 'So yes, maybe they could have put them together but what I think is more likely to happen is a dealer has probably found this [referencing the item's body]. 'And thought 'one day, I might find the head'. And they found this head and they put them together and sold them.' It was then time to give his appraisal for the 'collectectible' and disparate things', concluding that the base would be worth £2,000 and the head £4,000. 'That's a lot for just a head," the daughter laughed but Moore wasn't quite done just yet. He remarked: 'But there's an intriguing possibility. If you could find the head for this body and you could find the body for this head, you would have a profit of £60,000 to £70,000, because that's how much the two separate items would be if they were complete.' Upon hearing the whopping value, the mum's jaw dropped before pulling a face, clearly taken aback by the value while her daughter seemed calmer. She replied: 'That is amazing. I don't think he's grown on me and I don't think I'd be impressed if I got him as a birthday present as my great-grandma did.' 'So Ernie hasn't gone up in your estimation," Moore stated as she added: 'He brings back quite funny memories so I feel like he has to stay in the family.' Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
