Kielder Water is the largest man-made lake in northern Europe, holding some 200 billion litres of water in the remote hills of Northumberland. For the dinghy sailor, it offers miles of open water surrounded by forest and moorland - a very different sailing experience from the busy waters of the coast.

I arrived at the sailing club on a morning of fitful sunshine and variable wind - typical conditions for this part of the world. The lake stretched away into the distance, its surface ruffled by the breeze. A few other boats were already on the water, their sails bright against the dark backdrop of the forest.

Launching was straightforward from the club's slipway, and soon I was sailing out into the main body of the lake. The wind was from the southwest, funnelling down the valley and creating patches of stronger breeze separated by areas of relative calm. Sailing in these conditions requires constant attention to the wind direction and strength.

The shoreline of Kielder Water is deeply indented, with numerous arms and bays to explore. I spent the morning working my way up one of the longer arms, tacking against the wind and enjoying the solitude. Apart from the occasional fishing boat, I had the water to myself.

At the head of the arm I found a small beach and went ashore for lunch. The silence was remarkable - no traffic noise, no aircraft overhead, just the wind in the trees and the lap of small waves on the shore. This is what makes inland sailing so appealing - the sense of escape from the busy world beyond the hills.

The afternoon brought stronger wind, and I had an exhilarating sail back down the lake, surfing down the waves in the gusts. By the time I reached the club the sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows across the water. It had been a good day on the water - and there is no better way to end a day than that.