Westcountry warships took some well-earned shore leave in Gibraltar ahead of two months of Naval exercises in the Mediterranean.
But rather than relax, under the shadow of the iconic rock, crews embarked on a busy round of sporting events including a gruelling race to the towering summit.
Plymouth-based flagship HMS Bulwark, Royal Fleet Auxiliary Mounts Bay, HMS Northumberland and HMS Montrose laid up in readiness for operation Cougar.
The task force will take part in Exercise Corsican Lion with the French flagship FS Charles de Gaulle.
Some 200 leg-weary sailors and Royal Marines, many in fancy dress, hauled themselves up steep inclines in the famous Rock Race, a 2.7 milecourse which climbs 1,250ft.
A group of officers paid their respects at Gibraltar's Trafalgar Cemetery, ahead of Sunday's anniversary of Admiral Nelson's great victory, over France in 1805.
A short service was conducted in memory of those who lost their lives in the famous battle, followed by a moment of silence for fallen servicemen.
