Housewarming Pineapple

When Ally and Cat arrived yesterday, they brought us a lovely housewarming gift - a pineapple! They explained that this is a symbol of hospitality originally from the Caribbean. Early European travellers brought pineapples and this tradition back home with them, although pineapples were so difficult to transport that they were extremely expensive. So expensive that they cost many thousands of pounds each and were used as centrepieces for Royal banquets in 16th and 17th Century Europe. They became fashionable symbols in architecture and art and furniture, and are still popular in household decoration today. 

James and I were touched that Ally and Cat had brought us such a thoughtful gift, and we look forward to eating it with them this week!