I forgot to say that I add the kernels from the stones (crush between two bricks and try not to smash kernels) as I used to do for my mother.  I added these in 5 mins before the end of the cooking.  I did know about green fruit but our apricots were quite green one end and ripe the other - I guess the balance went to the ripe.

- used it often Christmas Day and it has hardly gone cold since.  Made apricot jam with fruit fresh off the tree - first time used
CSR Smart sugar (half sugar and half sweetener) but result was too sweet.  The second time I used CSR Logicane but 450g not the 500g the recipe recommended and it was perfect - however the jam was a bit runny - even after 5 minutes extra cooking.