mine ripened just over a week ago, but I've grown a pink, sweeter variety this year that is an early variety, everything is supposed to be abut a fortnight late because of the bad weather this year so no, you haven't missed them yet in the shops (mine are very sheltered that's why they were 'on time' so to speak
did you see hugh fearnly-whatshisname make a cheese cake (with cheese he made himself from his goats milk) with a gooseberry sauce? it looked totally delish.