Temperatures in the rocky wilderness of the South Atlantic islands hover a few degrees above freezing. But there is often rare wildlife and dramatic landscapes scenes to shoot.

Photographer Georgina Strange on the Portsmouth-based destroyer got the chance to go ashore and snap this amazing picture of penguins next to sleeping elephant seals.

For the rest of the crew there was important mine-clearing to be done, and 15 explosives left from the 1982 Falklands War were safely detonated.

The ship's company are also helping scientists study the retreat of the glaciers, as the ship provides reassurance to Britain's island territory.

Commander Iain Lower, Gloucester's commanding officer, said: 'Along with a deterrence patrol to counter would-be illegal fishing vessels, we've been able to enhance the search and rescue capability of South Georgia.

'This patrol has been a unique opportunity for my ship's company, many of whom are on their first deployment with the Royal Navy, to experience this stunning and unique scenery.'

The visit to South Georgia comes a month before the ship heads home for Christmas after seven months away.

It follows a spectacular visit to Chile's Patagonian Canals last month, an 800-mile course of narrow waterways.

Able Seaman (Sea) Max Grosse said: 'It was really breathtaking, the scenery was like nothing any of us had seen before, spectacular high mountains with glaciers; completely deserted.

'I was at the wheel driving as we passed through the Paso Tortuoso, which is barely wider than the ship, not something that I will forget.'

Leading Photographer Karen Williams, who snapped South Georgia while with HMS Endurance last year, said: 'It's one of the favourite places for navy photographers without doubt. I enjoyed taking pictures there because the scenery is breathtaking, it's like nowhere else on earth. You have free rein to set up a picture that you think will capture the atmosphere.'