Yesterday friends Michael and Roberto (owners of Explorers Lodge B&B) were able to purchase 17kg+ of Moor Park apricots from the local market.

They brought them here to preserve – such an advantage having a big kitchen adjacent to our house, almost like colonial times!

A happy couple of hours was spent preserving them together – halves in a medium syrup.

These guys are dab hands; not only was the fruit chosen with discretion (not too ripe), but the jars were packed very well, which shows in the end result – no rising during processing.

There were a few offcuts, and a handful that couldn’t fit into the jars, so these were stewed and this afternoon I’ll make those into jam.

The great apricot hunt now begins for us. I hope to be able to find at least 30 kilos of my beloved Moor Parks, which should keep me out of mischief for a few days with bottling, chutney and jam making.