Rachel is my Mirror dinghy, and this is the story of how we sailed around Anglesey - a circumnavigation of about 70 miles, completed over several days in the summer of 2004.

The idea had been brewing for some time. Anglesey offers a fascinating variety of sailing conditions, from the sheltered waters of the Menai Strait to the exposed headlands and tide races of the north coast. The challenge of taking a small open boat around the island was appealing, and the logistics seemed manageable with careful planning.

We launched at Beaumaris, at the eastern end of the Menai Strait, and headed north. The first leg took us through the Strait, past the bridges and through the notorious Swellies, where the tide runs fast between the rocks. Timing is everything here, and we caught the tide just right, shooting through with the current beneath us.

The north coast of Anglesey is a different world. Long stretches of cliffs, few landing places, and the constant awareness that help is a long way away. We rounded the Skerries, the lighthouse-topped rocks off the northwest corner, and worked our way along to Holyhead. The harbour there offered welcome shelter and a chance to rest before tackling the challenging waters around South Stack.

The west coast brought more exposed sailing, with the Irish Sea stretching away to the horizon. We made our way past the beaches and headlands, watching the ferries passing on their way to and from Dublin. The weather was kind, mostly, though we had one day of stronger winds that kept us ashore.

The final leg, along the south coast and back into the Menai Strait, felt almost like coming home. The familiar landmarks of Snowdonia appeared across the water, and we sailed the last few miles in the golden light of a summer evening.

What did I learn from this voyage? That a small boat, properly handled, can go almost anywhere. That the key to safe cruising is patience - waiting for the right weather, the right tide, the right moment. And that there is immense satisfaction in completing a voyage under your own power, relying on nothing but wind and skill to carry you around an island.