Has it been a bad year for quinces elsewhere? I went to the smallholding in the Ouse valley where I have bought them before, only to find that this year's crop has been poor. Late frosts crippled the blossoms, the plums as well, and then, when the fruits were setting, a storm coincided with a high tide. The river by the side of the smallholding is tidal, and the gale blew salt spray onto the young fruit, damaging them further. The farmer showed me the scars and blemishes on river-facing side, in contrast to the other.
Still, they will be good for quince jelly, or quince vodka. The orchard looked well too, as hens and guinea-fowl ran through the damp yellow leaves.
