In honour of my hundredth post I have decided that I am going to ring a happy bell. There are three of these dotted over Niseko resort. It is said that ringing these bells will bring you luck. I certainly hope so.

Here is the happy bell situated high up on the mountain just below the 1000 Metre Hut. Today its the easiest one to gain access to.  It’s particularly cold and windy. The temperature has dropped to a very chilly -15 C. As we caught the chair lifts up the mountain it progressively became colder and colder. It may have been still and calm in the village this morning when we set off, but up here on the mountain it’s an entirely different story. I don’t even want to think what the wind chill factor might be. And there is only one way down. On our skis or snowboards.

Ringing that happy bell in this weather is no mean feat. I’m praying I make it down the mountain safely and in one piece so I can actually write this hundredth post. One of our friends fractured his ankle a few days ago in conditions far kinder than this. I certainly don’t want to join him propped up on the sofa watching the skiers and snowboarders under the gondola run from our lounge room window.

This hundredth post has crept up on me. Stealthily. Late last September I waded into this brave new world of blogging with a vague idea that I would post my favourite recipes for family and friends. In truth I had  no real idea of what I was doing or what to expect. The journey has become addictive, exhilarating and strangely therapeutic.

Along the way I have discovered some amazing blogs and made new cyber friends. Thank you to everyone who has visited my blog. All my Email, Google, Facebook and WordPress followers. Thank you too for all the likes, comments and constant encouragement. I am inspired by you and seem to learn something new every day.  My husband asked me the other day what I was going to do when my ideas for recipes dried up. I laughed and said that would never happen as there is always something new and interesting just up ahead and around the corner.