I slept in my own bed for the first time in three months last night. It's a single mattress on the floor - it's small, uncomfortable and by no means ideal, but I slept incredibly well. Getting up this morning, putting the bed away, having a shower and getting dressed was like putting on your favourite pair of trainers: comfortable.

Someone whose opinion I value told me something both comforting and disconcerting today. He told me daughter is considerably better off living with me instead of with her mum. His opinion counts simply because I considered him allied to daughter's mother and her boyfriend, but his independent and unbiased view of the situation is welcome. Unfortunately, it makes me question the decision to let daughter in back and live there, but I've got to give her the chance to try.

Daughter and I played computer games during the evening. Popcap games, baby. It's like having an arcade in your living room. Great fun.

As my friend came home for good, daughter and I moved back to our place. We had butcher's sausage, egg and chips as our last meal there, came home and asked Trivial Pursuit questions for an hour, which was much nicer than sitting in front of the tv. It felt really, really good to be home - this was the first time we'd been there for three months!

My parents, daughter and I walked to the south of Silverstone circuit today to watch the World Aerobatic Championship finals and an air display. There's so many awesome memories from this day it's hard to know where to start. We took a gentle two mile walk to where the 4x4 experience track is and found a spot out of the wind. We had a picnic and chilled out while the stunt planes did their thing right over our heads. After a short break, just when daughter was getting bored, five stunt planes took off and did their synchronised routine, and we stood on a small hill so there were literally flying right over our heads. An RAF Hawk jet followed, buzzing the circuit and, once again, flying over us a number of times.

The final plane was the absolute highlight of the day for me. A huge RAF Vulcan bomber did a number of passes, our position seemingly a magnet for all these craft. It swept past in line with the runway, then came round and flew straight over us, back along the runway at low speed increasing to full throttle, out and around, back over us with the bomb bay doors open, back around... On its final pass it headed straight towards us and once it got near, it banked away, climbing and pointing its engines at us, then full throttle. I can tell you, the fucking ground shook, daughter firmly pressed her hands over her ears and I put my arms around her as it flew away from us.

I know from my own experiences as a youngster that this moment will be one she'll never forget, and it touches me greatly that we could share it.

In total, we walked four and a half miles through some of Stowe's most tranquil countryside. The contrast between the adrenaline and noise at the air display and the quiet of the woods was wonderful.

I had some of my friend's 'Welcome Home Toots' cake and a cup of tea while we jabbered.

Daughter and I stayed up til late playing Sims 3.

I just realised that on Wednesday at our family meeting, daughter said when she finally goes back to live with her mum, she wants to stay with me for a weekend a fortnight as before, but also every Wednesday afternoon and overnight. This effectively doubles the time we get together, and she chose that herself. How lovely!

My greatest friend came back from her travels, just temporarily. We all had Chinese food and jabbered. It was fantastic to see her and hear all about her experiences. She seems so incredibly happy... although I have a creeping suspicion that she might be off again sometime soon...

I told someone some home truths. While I have a vested interest in the situation, I know I'm trying to help them see past the smoke and mirrors I know they're seeing. I feel both pleased that I want to help and apprehensive that I'm doing the right thing. All I can do is tell the truth.

We had a big meeting with social services and respective families today. Daughter's finally got something to aim for in that she'll hopefully be home for good from the start of October. I have my reservations, not least that she won't be around as much any more, but to see her happy and positive about the situation is incredibly fulfilling, and I know I played a large part in that.

On a much more self-satisfied note, I totally called the whole 'fake pregnancy' thing. Twice.

I got a call from my best friend - she's back in the country. She'll be coming back for the night tomorrow and staying as a guest in her own house! Then she'll be off again til Monday when we'll be moving back home. I'm rather looking forward to getting back into our little space.

I cooked a quick and easy meal instead of ordering-in. This was a big money-saver! Bacon and egg on toast, instead of curry. I think it was more satisfying too.

Finally, daughter and I watched Juno last night. I'd recommend this movie to anyone - it was simply brilliant, mainly due to the leading actress who was wonderful, but also thanks to a witty script and sublime soundtrack. 8.8/10.

Daughter came home today! How wonderful. We went to the pub to have a drink in the sunshine and talk through her time away. It was lovely to hear all the wonderful things she did. Then we went home and watched an episode of Jonathan Creek, then made pancakes, then laid on my bed and watched Race to Witch Mountain. Film: 6/10. Company, 10/10.

I finally tidied the house and cleaned the kitchen. It's bloody sparkling! I'm very proud of myself - it took less time than I thought and it really does look good. Whoop!

I made leek and potato soup. Again. It was bloody awesome. Again.

I was finally assertive to someone I've let manipulate me for years and years, and it worked. This felt incredible, and I bounced around and shouted and punched the air. Success here is just wonderful; it's given me a real boost.

I boiled a bacon joint today. Man, that's tasty. I cut the fat and skin off after I'd boiled it, criss-crossed it with a sharp knife, rubbed-in olive oil, sea salt and black pepper and stuck it in the oven for an hour. Top crackling! Although it was so moreish I couldn't help myself and I ate the whole portion! There was easily enough for four people there. Oops.

I heard back from a friend who I've asked to be a test case for the charity. Hopefully I'll be taking her out for a walk sometime in the next week or ten days. Excitement!

I walked another 7.7 miles with my folks today. The weather was perfect, hot with a nice breeze. We didn't do as many hills as we've done in the past, but it was still good.

I buzzed all my hair off with clippers this afternoon. It's needed doing for three or four weeks, and after walking in the sun today, and looking in the mirror afterward, I realised it was all too much. Off it came, and I feel much more like myself again now!

I had ribs from the butchers, marinated in barbeque sauce and slow-cooked in the oven for almost an hour. They were incredibly worthy. I think it's official: ribs are my favourite meat.

I had what is probably my most favourite curry today. Kashmiri mutton curry. My colleagues chipped-in ten quid each and had a big feast in the office to celebrate Pakistani independence and the last weekend before Ramadan. Everyone's always so happy when we do this, me included.

I watched The Dark Knight. What a fucking immense movie - the best I've seen in a long, long time. I enjoyed every minute of its almost two-and-a-half hours. Heath Ledger was incredible as The Joker - I can see what all the fuss was about, now.

I went for a walk with an old friend - seven and three-quarter miles. For some reason my legs ache a lot, when I'd normally be able to cover ten miles without really feeling it. Maybe it's been too long between walks; it's been nine days since my last walk, which is too long. But this walk was great - good company, good food, good beer, good sunset and brilliant countryside.

My software finally downloaded. I'm disappointed not to find the walker's standard 1:25000 map available for my area, but it's a pirate so I can't complain. I'm really pleased to find the next best thing - the 1:50000 maps for not just miles and miles around me, but most of the country too. This is really helpful, along with the annotation, 3D view and the ability to mark and measure routes, which all make it a handy piece of kit. If only I could get my local 1:25000... Maybe the charity will buy it eventually.

I made leek and potato soup for the first time in a couple of months. Man, it was fantastic... So much so I've got it for lunch at work and probably dinner this evening too. I used low-fat yoghurt instead of cream or creme fraiche, which worked wonderfully, and a few drops of tabasco with the seasoning lifted the flavour so much without adding any heat. Nom.

Some digital mapping software I've wanted for ages finished downloading. I'm excited to install it and try it out. If it's got maps for my locality, it's going to be massively helpful for the charity, which will end up buying the software eventually.

I had both cats on the bed when I put my head down this evening. It's very unusual for the male to come up for a fuss. At one point I was fussing them both with one hand!

The guy who showed interest in walking with the charity took the advice and went out for five miles with friends the following day. I hope he keeps it up. He also showed a keen interest in signing-up as a guide, which is brilliant!

I had a very quiet, relaxing weekend. I dossed on the computer for most of it, slept six extra hours over Saturday and Sunday, and had a couple beers on Sunday. Nice!

I'm keeping quite a tidy house. I've stopped letting dishes pile-up on the counter - a bad habit that creeps in when there's noone there to see - and keeping things generally in good order.

Oh! I almost forgot this, but it's definitely worth recording. I went to the doctor last week and he gave me the results of a Fasting Blood Glucose blood test I had a few weeks ago... And I don't have diabetes! I didn't think I did, but the doctor wanted to check because I'd had itchy arms previously. I'd put this down to an allergic reaction to grass pollen while out walking - I've had hayfever for the first time this year - and some strong anti-histamines made it go away. Anyway, it's nice to know I don't have diabetes!

Work was nice today. The drivers were in a good mood and we all ate together in the office. That's my favourite time at work, and the food is brilliant.

My ex-roomie and long-time-no-see friend over for dinner tonight. I cooked creative curry and we chilled and talked about life for a few hours. I really enjoyed myself this evening.

I just got my first external contact on the web site. Someone said they were feeling low on a forum and I sent the address for the web site. Their interest is comforting!

One of the drivers at work said a customer asked how old I was and whether I was seeing anyone. This, based on my telephone voice. It's nice to know someone's interested. I'm only assuming this was a female customer of course.

Today I packed daughter off to her friend's house for a few days away, then she's off to her grandma and grandpa's in Cornwall for two weeks. Jammy! This makes me happy for a couple of reasons. First, she was really excited and happy and that pleases me greatly. Second, as much as it's been lovely having her around, I've been looking forward to having a bit of a break myself, saving money for the charity and generally chilling.

I did some work on the web site. I configured FormMail.php which was a bit of a mission and may continue to be, as I haven't tested it yet! I tied up some other loose ends too, and it's very close to completion now.

I finished writing the Walking Handbook for the charity. I committed what I've learned and observed over the past six months walking, which was a really enjoyable thing to do. I love writing and loved the process of getting the information down and phrasing it properly. Word did a good job of walking me through adjusting the way it read, and I'm happy with the final outcome.

I played some more Oblivion, and realised why I like it so much. It's made by the same people and runs on the same engine as Fallout 3, which I really enjoyed. The whole role playing game thing totally does it for me. I'm a mage. I've always been a mage when I play these games. That probably says something about my personality.

I put £40 into the charity account today. This felt incredible. It's the basis of getting a telephone line and broadband account at home, which I've wanted for years and years, and will help me keep the web site in development and stay in touch with clients. I don't know how putting personal money into the charity works... Hopefully I can claim it back at some point. For now, it's an investment in the future of the charity.

I baked a carrot cake with daughter this evening. It was mostly a success, although the icing didn't thicken, the outside seemed to caramelise and it tastes faintly of bacon and popcorn. Odd, that. It was still lovely though.

I started playing Elder Scrolls Oblivion today. It's bloody ace! I've downloaded a fair number of games recently and this is one of the few that has captured my attention.

I walked eight miles across the "little" Cotswolds today with my parents. Plenty of hills, gliders, microlights, ring-tailed lemurs, giraffe, a Bud with dinner and plenty of exercise. Marvellous!