It is more than twenty years since I was overtaken by the enthusiasm for hunter wellies, after I moved to a rural house in deepest Derbyshire.  Fashion was not the prime motivator  – oh, no.  The real reason was that I never knew when I was going to find I had to cross some muddy area as I travelled around the county.  The only places to buy hunter boots at that time were traditional country outfitters, and when I went there to buy hunter wellies they were very dismissive of my desire to buy a blue pair.  Now, of course, these are available in multiple colours and patterns.  The Oxford Cambridge boat teams were seen sporting some very bright pairs after their recent boat race.  I am not sure that Humter wellies are the best footwear for rowing, but they are great for wandering around the countryside.

Gold and Silver have always been seen as convenient ways to hold on to wealth and keep purchasing power, wherever you go in the world. The beauty of coins and ingots as an investment pivots on the way you can liquidate your investment fast when you need to. Precious metals are also a romantic, beautiful and mystical element that has fascinated mankind for centuries. Looking at a silver coin is a lot more interesting than consulting a share price. The good news for investors is that stockpiles of silver bullion are low, and shrinking fast. Government stocks of silver ingots have been exhausted in many cases, so you can buy gold eagle coins and ingots are acquiring a rarity value.