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My apples are either James Grieve or Elstar. I've looked at pictures on the internet and they look similar. What is the best way to distinguish between them? It would be nice to know this year what they are.

When they are properly ripe, James Grieve apples have a soft texture and Elstar are crisp.

There's an excellent website www.orangepippin.com which not only describes loads of different fruit tree varieties but also allows you to compare selected ones.

A quick glance tells me that Elstar is a yellow/red dessert apple with a honeyed flavour and slightly irregular shape. James Grieve is a cooking apple, so sharper, although gets sweeter as it matures - green/red with a more uniform shape.

those are excellent points to look out for. thanks.