The Really Useful Gold Thread

Considering the fact this is a gold thread (a very good gold thread may I add) I have somewhat struggled to understand the lack of interest or comment in the actual speculation of gold itself. Correct me if I'm wrong here but the investment here is mainly in gold mining stocks, this is a gold thread and not a gold mining stock thread?

I was amazed by the rather mediocre response to some of my earlier attempts at discussing websites such as bullionvault.com (and the other one - I can't remember the name)

As the price of the yellow metal seems to be rising for whatever economic/political reasons wouldn't an aspect of an investment strategy be aquiring the metal itself? The alternatives here being: spreadbet - great for the very short term and a bit of hedging but thats about it, actual purchase - wide dealer spreads etc, yet there's sites like bullion vault where you can literally buy as much gold as you like and hold it indefinately but I never see it written or discussed that anyone bought a kilo or 5 onces of of gold today?

Seriously you couldnt expect people to pile in with £10-20k and buy a junior mining stock? Or does everyone do that and get it right first time?