Scrumping From Neighbours

[PurpleMcGowan]

I have a neighbor at the end of our road with a gorgeous Apple tree.
Its only 5 ft tall but so heavily laden, or at least it was till the storm hit this weekend
We've been eyeing it up for weeks and the owner hasn't picked any of them.
We've tried getting to know him in passing, as you do. A smile, a good morning etc. But all we get back is a grump and a funny look.
I'm devastated to see that he has allowed a full crop to just fall to the floor, but its bad form to go scrumping in peoples gardens at night when your 31 and not 13 yrs old.
So how do I get next years crop?
Do I keep trying to make friends are should I just be brazen and knock on asking for them?
I'll give them some apple sauce in return of course.....

[Green Aura]

They'll still be perfectly fine to use even if they're not pretty. I vote for knocking on his door and offering to collect them, in return for a pot of apple sauce or bottle of apple wine. You never know, he might just be a bit less grumpy then.

[BernardSmith]

I agree. The cost of knocking and asking is zero, and the possible benefit is great. What's to lose? ... and an offer of a gift of apple sauce or a bottle or two of cider or apple wine... That's perhaps a win all around.