Diary Application

[#1]

I'm thinking of writing a diary - not as comprehensive as Pepys but you get the picture
I wish I had started this 30 or 40 years ago I have found some old diaries from the mid-eighties where I wrote some sketchy notes about feelings, troubles, girlfriends and the like which I've found interesting reads (my, how I've changed since then )
I could do it in Outlook but that doesn't have a search facility which I might need (not sure, though, having never done this before) or a method of protection from prying eyes. Also, I'm not certain how it would cope as the diary grows.
I've also thought of using Word but not sure if that is really suitable.
Has anyone cone across suitable sotfware (free or otherwise) that they could recommend?

[#2]

Not used it myself but this looks like it will do what you want, editor, buit in search and also you can encrypt the date.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/keynote-newfeat/
also available as a portable app
http://www.pendriveapps.com/keynote-nf-portable-notebook/
Something to get the ball rolling at least

[#3]

you could use a Blog  program,
a resume of free programs here  http://ezinearticles.com/?Comparing-Free-Blogging-Software&id=41365

[#4]

@adiewoo I've downloaded Keynote to have a look at. Gonna be out most of day so will let you know later.
@pierre Not sure about blogging but will have a look.
Thanks

[#5]

If one uses software such as Keynote, what would happen if that software became obsolete or incompatible with later operating systems?  Word documents are generic and are unlikely to be affected. Word is what I use, password protected, although I don't know why I bother because there is nothing much of any interest. 

[#6]

I can see your point, poppy.
Perhaps I'm over-complicating something that should be simple although I was looking for something that I could just click on a date for a new entry or review a previous one.
How have you done your diary in Word? I was thinking of a folder per year with sub-folders for each month and one word doc for each month. A bit unwieldy, perhaps...
I'm open to suggestions.

[#7]

Well, it is very simple indeed, with very little formatting. I have a Word document put inside a folder and labeled with the year. 
The document has twelve pages - one for each month.  Each page has a table on it of only one cell deep and two columns.  The reason that I use the table is to confine the month to that page.  Then I just put the date in bold and carry on from there.  I put birthdays and what-have you at the top above the table. 
There's not much room doing it this way but it is only for basic stuff, although I understand that some people like to record their feelings about things and there's nothing wrong with that.
Oh, another thing is that it is password protected even though there's nothing much in it.  At the end of the day I upload it to Humyo.com in case the computer goes down.
Have enclosed a bit of it for you to see. I am sure that others could do it better but this method has suited by simple requirements for a number of years.