They've relaxed the visiting rules, so we no longer climb the walls at weekends. We were all trying to hide it, but that feeling of being shut in was getting to most of us. Being out with the troop during the week helped too, but having visitors at the weekend beats everything apart from the chance to go home. It's more relaxed, there's news you wouldn't get to hear any other way and even the silly hair doesn't bother me so much.

Lots of guys had friends visiting this weekend. The place was positively cheerful and there was food simply everywhere. Like a huge, impromptu party, everything seemed to merge together. It really makes you appreciate your friends. They all have busy schedules, but they take the time to come down to cheer us up.

Maybe that's what army service is really all about: building stronger ties, remembering the things that really matter. We're in here doing our bit, and our families and friends are all doing theirs.

And we had fun. So much fun that this morning's wakeup call came far too early. And waking with a headache when I've not even had a single drink is just not fair.