Gooseberry ripeness

How do I know when they're ripe, haven't grown before and it's years since I've eaten any.
Some fruits are looking more translucent and veiny, but they're still very hard. Should they soften up - can't remember the variety, sorry!

I think for cooking they are best picked slightly unripe as they have a better flavour.
Try one of the translucent ones and if you don`t spit it out they are ready.

When the squirrels and blackbirds start showing an interest i pick ours , ready or not

I leave some on the bush to ripen and eat raw when they are good sized (30mm) and sweet but i find that freezing them at peak ripeness makes them bland when defrosted.

The old bush is looking a bit tired now but still plenty of fruit. Think i will move the replacement clones* to larger pots this afternoon.


* Variety unknown, so kept in case of disaster to the main bush.