HMS Leeds Castle made her final patrol to one of the remotest outposts in the list of British territories when she called in at South Georgia in near-perfect Austral spring weather.

For her ten-day patrol the Castle-class patrol vessel carried with her the usual mixed cargo of supplies and personnel, including stores and mail for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) team at King Edward Point, and a detachment from the Falkland Island Roulement Infantry Company (Royal Gloucester Berkshire Worcestershire Regiment), the South Georgia Assistant Operations Officer and military and civilian guests.

On arrival, while the soldiers conducted a 24-hour shore patrol around King Edward Cove, the ship’s company visited Sir Ernest Shackleton’s grave, Grytviken Church and the Whaling Museum run by Tim and Pauline Carr.

Much to the couple’s delight, Leeds Castle maintained her reputation for high spending in the gift shop, nearly doubling the previous record as Christmas presents were purchased at a frenetic rate.

Receptions were held both on board and ashore to mark Leeds Castle’s final visit, before a BAS team and supplies were landed at St Andrews Bay, site of the world’s largest King Penguin colony.

Accompanied by scientific staff, a close look at the Nordenskjold Glacier and a patrol of Stromness Bay, including the Husvik disused whaling station, rounded off a memorable few days in South Georgia before the 24-year-old patrol ship returned to Mare Harbour, East Falkland, for a short period to prepare for her grueling 8,500 mile voyage home.

She is due back in Portsmouth next Monday after a four-year stint based in the South Atlantic.