When I've sneaked one in previous years, the apple was slightly soft and tasteless, so I've never been interested and usually the neighbour leaves them all for the birds. But the one I sampled this morning was crisp and just a little tart. I don't know whether I've sampled them when they've become too ripe in the past, or whether the weather alters the fruit, but I now have a few pounds of decent apples that I'll cook and freeze when we return from our short break in London. I think they'll keep OK in the cool for a few days.
