If you had to choose one thing that captures the most enjoyable aspects of driving, would you consider a convertible? Most of the earliest cars started out with no roof, as making that structure added cost and complexity, but when mass-produced bodies became normal the joy of open-air motoring became a luxury. These days a cabriolet top involves extensive re-engineering of the body to ensure safety, good handling and refinement as well as a long life and reliability.

With a £30,000 budget – the same as a new, middle-of-the-range family SUV, you could get a luxurious, eye-catching and confidence-inspiring convertible. At that price, the variety is astonishing, so we’re looking at the very best buys that will be warm and refined in winter, and full of sunshine in summer.

Prices vary wildly, and in summer, dealers may get a bit optimistic (we always say, buy a convertible in winter – but who can resist looking when the sun’s shining?). Make sure you’re paying a fair amount with a Parkers car valuation, and before buying older cars, check the MOT history online as well.

1: Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet (2017-on), from £25,000

Most open-topped cars are full of compromises; the E-Class manages to deliver a convertible experience for four without changing habits or lifestyle to fit the car. It’s big, of course, but not too big for most parking spaces, and that size means rear passengers get acceptable legroom and enough space to get in and out of the car even with the roof up. Technology ensures comfort no matter what the weather – it even blows warm air around your neck to form the AirScarf – and you can have all-wheel drive with 4Matic models. It’s an expensive car new, but you’ll find appealing, well-maintained models from Mercedes-Benz Approved Used within your budget.

2: BMW 4-Series Convertible (2014-2020), from £13,000

For a while, the answer to a year-round convertible was the folding hardtop. Made popular with the Mercedes SLK in 1996, made cheap with the Peugeot 207cc in 2001, it turned out to be BMW who would get the perfect balance of looks, practicality and appeal. The 4-Series offers four seats, a style that at first glance looks like a hardtop coupe, and a genuinely open feeling with the roof down. It’s also really good to drive. You can get economical diesel, or powerful M3 models, and the option of  xDrive all-wheel-drive, so this really is a convertible for all seasons.

3: Audi A5 Cabriolet (2017-on), from £20,000

The award-winning Audi A5 Cabriolet is one of the most sensible convertibles you can buy. Low running costs, secure front-wheel drive handling, a strong body with little scuttle shake (vibration through the body on rough roads, which is typical on many open-topped cars), it has slightly less boot space than you would want for a car of this length but is a solid all-round performer for family duties, commuting, and those idyllic road trips to Europe or the coast. 2.0-litre petrol models are a safe bet, but you can always go for the S5 or RS5 if you want more go with your show.

4: MINI Convertible (2016-on), from £10,000

As the name implies, this is not a spacious option. In fact, the MINI Convertible is about as small as you can get without choosing the two-seater Smart Cabrio. But if you only need two seats most of the time, the MINI’s boot and rear seats can carry a lot of luggage or shopping. One of the best features of the MINI is its clever multi-position roof; it folds in a very clever way rather than stacking, but it can also be partially-opened at normal driving speeds like a big sunroof, sliding back over the front seats. All this, and it’ll find the last parking space in London? It’s arguably the best small convertible made in decades.

5: Mazda MX-5 (2016-on), from £12,000

Not every convertible has to be practical. The name roadster carries with it a century of purpose, a car designed to make the most of… yes, roads. The 1960s defined the genre, with the MG B, Triumph Spitfire and similar all delivering thrills and affordable bills, and Mazda’s kept the tradition going since 1990 with the MX-5. You can buy a new one for less than £30,000 and while you can, you probably should – but used examples are affordable enough to run a cheap practical car alongside. You can also get the RF folding hardtop model, or Fiat 124 for something a little different. All of them offer involving, open-air fun for supermini money.

Convertible buying tips:

• Check for leaks/damp on the carpets.
• Examine the folding mechanism carefully as it operates – does it sag or snag?
• Look for roof repairs on fabric tops.
• Check the doors for damage – they’re longer than normal.
• Make sure any accessories, like folded roof covers or reat-seat wind deflectors, are included and work.
• Drive with the roof up over 50mph – listen for whistles around windows (there will be more noise than normal, but it shouldn’t have draughts).

Extra links if useful:

Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet: https://www.parkers.co.uk/mercedes-benz/e-class/cabriolet/review/

BMW 4-Series Convertible: https://www.parkers.co.uk/bmw/4-series/convertible-2014/used-review/

206cc: https://www.parkers.co.uk/peugeot/206/coupe-cabriolet/review/

Audi A5 Cabriolet: https://www.parkers.co.uk/audi/a5/cabriolet/review/

MINI Convertible: https://www.parkers.co.uk/mini/convertible/convertible/review/

Mazda MX-5 review: https://www.parkers.co.uk/mazda/mx-5/review/

Most casino players are also fans of James Bond movies. The character from Ian Fleming’s books first made it to the screen in 1962, before being played by the late Sir Sean Connery. No one could have imagined that 60 years later, people are still obsessed with those movies and eagerly awaiting the next release.

However, there was one scene that caught the attention of poker fans around the world. In Casino Royale, Daniel Craig’s James Bond roleplays No-Limit Texas Hold’em so he can get one step closer to solving the mystery behind banker Le Chiffre. The scenes are full of suspense, detail and everything that makes this game appealing to players all over the world. In this article, we take a closer look at this scenario of online casino games.

Scene Settings

Just a normal poker game at Casino Royale. Or is it? With $115 million in the pot, nothing is ordinary. After the top ten, only four players remained in the final stage, including notorious banker Le Chiffre, played by Mads Mikkelsen. Each player has four cards in hand, and everyone has absolute confidence in their combination. The last card has been dealt. On the table, we see the 4 of Spades, the 6 of Spades, the 8 of Spades, the Ace of Hearts and the Ace of Spades. Now players start showing their hands.

The first is Queen and King of Spades – a flush. The second player showed his cards with a smile on his face. Eight of Hearts and Eight of Plums. This, combined with the Eight Spades on the table, gave him a full gourd. Now it’s the story’s villain’s turn. We already know he has Six Hearts and an Ace of Clubs. Another full house, but higher than the second player’s. Confident in his victory, Le Chiffre begins to smile, knowing that now he can only be beaten by a straight flush or a four-card flush. But the last player to show was James Bond with the 5 and 7 of spades.

Settings for the Last Scene

Playing Texas Hold’em is not for everyone, poker players will understand that James Bond is amazing. Everyone who saw the film rejoiced after showing their cards, but a true poker connoisseur was thrilled when he realized the odds.

But it wasn’t just his cards that made him a winner. James Bond used his lore skills to study Le Chiffre in previous poker games while deliberately losing to avoid seeing himself as a threat. Bond begins to notice Le Chiffre’s bluffing tactics and the way he touches his eye scars with weak hands. At one point, Le Chiffre noticed Bond’s intentions and got a small victory by tricking him.

Not Very Realistic

While we all love the James Bond movies and the action presented to us, we have to admit that it all seems a little unrealistic to say the least. Like most of his punch fights and car dodges, this poker game is presented in a way that would never happen in real life. First, the stakes will never be that high, and second, the way the cards will be dealt at the end is extremely unlikely, especially since all four players have incredible cards.

So you don’t have to think you have to be that good to play poker. So don’t be afraid to try poker the next time you visit your favourite best online casino.

Exploring arts and crafts would always be fun, and you can use this as a new hobby or a new business venture. As you look into various options, you may come across resin artworks of various designs, which can be great decorative pieces or even serve as functional items inside your household.  

Doing resin projects needs plenty of practice, patience, and budget, especially if you’re planning to incorporate various designs and styles. You also need to look for a trusted resin art supplier, like https://www.justresin.com.au/, that can provide you with quality materials, resulting in top-notch results.

To help you gather ideas, here are some projects you can do with resin:  

1.     Coasters

If you’re looking for a resin project that you can regularly use inside your kitchen, creating coasters would be your best choice. This way, you can finally have a place where your cups can sit, avoiding damage to surfaces due to intense temperature. These can also prevent the formation of water rings on your table.

You can create one using a silicone molder, or use your existing deep wooden coasters and apply resin to add art. 

2.     Wall Art

There’s no denying that resin art is beautiful and classy at the same time. To not waste the allure holds, making resin wall art would surely be a great idea. You can use a mold of any shape and size, and play around with various color combinations that’ll complement well with your interior design.

You can go for a marble, beach, or galaxy theme—just make sure it emphasizes the room’s beauty.  

3.     Clock

Another functional resin project you should consider is making a resin clock. While this will require you to purchase the clock’s mechanism, it’ll only cost you a few bucks. You can either have it plain or stick some decals to indicate the numbers.

4.     Coffee Table

If you’d like to create a more challenging and larger piece, you can make your own coffee table. However, this would cost you more, and you’ll have to incorporate various techniques to ensure stability and that bubbles won’t form. The resulting items would surely be a great centerpiece inside your home, highlighting your living room’s beauty, for instance  

5.     Pen Holder

If you own a lot of pens, you might consider creating a pen holder, which would allow you to grab one easily. While you can use any jar, a resin pen holder would help improve your desk’s appearance, making it the better choice. It’ll serve as a functional item and a work of art at the same time wherever you plan to put it.  

6.     Jewelry

Of course, there’d always be a way to incorporate resin to your outfit, and one effective way of doing it is through jewelry. You can create bangles, rings, and necklaces. However, if you’re using metal, try to look for a tarnish-free one or apply a jewelry protectant to keep its appearance shiny for as long as possible.  

7.     Keychain

You can also create custom keychain that you can bring with you wherever you go. What’s really fun about this project is that the range of shapes and designs you can play with is infinite. You can use letter molders or go for standard forms, and you’re free to use the colors and knickknacks you wish to incorporate. You could add dried flowers, gold flakes, glitter, or decals.  

8.     Hair Clips

You may as well integrate resin into hair clips, and this would allow you to play with various colors and designs. With resin hair clips, you can almost guarantee that they’ll last long as they’re sturdier compared to commercial-bought pieces.

9.     Napkin Rings

If you wish to create resin items for your dining room, you can go for napkin rings. You can make different napkin rings for various occasions. You can use solid colors or go with translucent ones. These will surely bring a unique touch to your dining table.  

10. Trinket Tray

Another project you could try is creating a trinket tray wherein you can throw in anything you’d like, such as your keys or small pieces of jewelry. A trinket tray can be a great addition to your accent table, especially that with resin, you can be as artsy as you want. 

Takeaway 

Doing resin projects for your home would always be a fun activity to do. This way, you can explore various designs and shapes, and be able to create aesthetically pleasing items inside your home. Additionally, most of these items are functional as well—they’re not just works of art, but they’re items you can actually use. Talk about hitting two birds with a single stone!