Way go Lawnbowler, may your salivation reach fruition.
To answer your question.
I have been of recent years mostly a gold stock investor due to the paper money fiasco.
I have been conscious of the global silver stocks being low and the silver/gold ration being anti-silver.
I took an interest in a large silver deposit in Argentina (IMR/AQI) but IMR lost it to AQI and AQI has other problems. Needless to say I was looking for another option silver wise (Likes of Pan American were to large for me). To cut to the point, ECU had a great potential and now with near half a billion ounces and potential for billion and a half, how could I initially resist and now go away.
As for the economy I remember in 2007 some 'experts' saying recovery in late 2008 and it will be over by spring/summer 2009. Even Mr. Sinclair then was saying that gold would be $1650 in early 2009. So any comment about recovery being imminent I take with a dash of salt.
And instead of beer wine is my prefered choice. Cheers.