We are beginning to feel like real sailors rather than just trainees.

It started with our night sleeping on the former minesweeper, Brecon, which was brilliant.

After six weeks of training, being on board a ship brought it home to us that we really are in the Royal Navy.

We slept in the mess deck on bunks. The bunks are stacked three high and were small but pretty comfy.

As we were on a ship, there were duties to keep and while Nick got a full night's sleep during his turn on Saturday, on Friday, Adam was keeping watch at the gangway and carrying out rounds of the ship between 10pm and midnight.

While we were down at Jupiter Point we were also taken out in one of Rigid Inflatable Boats, known as RIBs.

Each warship has at least one and they are used for various things at sea, from transferring people and stores to carrying a boarding team to search a vessel suspected of having an illegal cargo.

Our trip was to give us the experience of being a passenger in the boat.

It was awesome speeding along the river and then out into Plymouth Sound.

Back at the main Raleigh camp, Monday started with our Divisional Training Officer's kit inspection.

Despite our high hopes we both failed which meant we had to do it all again on Friday.

Our pick-ups were minor, but unfortunately in the Royal Navy everything has to be spot on, from looking after personal kit to maintaining a vital piece of equipment, and there is no room for errors.

Between the two classes, 14 of us failed and those who were successful rallied round to help give us all the best chance of passing the 're-scrub'.

To our relief we got through on the second attempt.

This week we also had our 2.4 km run to pass.

We both completed the distance well within the time allowed, knocking about 30 seconds off the time we achieved in week one - Adam completed the distance in eight minutes 54 seconds and Nick's time was nine minutes and three seconds.

Although we were both confident of passing, it was a relief to cross another thing off the list of things we must achieve to successfully complete the course.

On Wednesday the two classes ran against each other in the obstacle course competition.

The course consists of a water jump, walls to climb over and run across, and frames and wires to negotiate.

As well as getting around the course in the quickest possible time, each team member also has to take a turn in carrying a telegraph pole over the obstacles.

There were three teams per class - we were in the 'A' team for our respective classes.

Although Port A - Adam's team - achieved the fastest time, Starboard had the best average.

In the Navy it's the team that counts and not the individual, so Starboard were the overall winners.

Starboard - Nick's class - also won the ceremonial guard competition, so they will have the honour of leading the classes out for our passing-out-parade.

We've had an introduction to first aid this week, where we learnt about burns, fractures and other medical scenarios.

We were also taught how to carry out CPR. There will be more training on first aid during week nine.

Friday we were back on the parade ground taking part in the passing-out-parade, but this time we were wearing our best uniform, known as 'number ones'.

It felt really good to be wearing it. We were very proud, but also nervous because we didn't want to wreck it before our big day in two weeks time.

We've a little bit of relaxation to look forward to this weekend.

Each class will spend an afternoon at the China Fleet Country Club, about 18 miles from Raleigh.

Although it is open to the public, the China Fleet Club started as a place for service people to relax outside of their working environment.

Originally the China Fleet Club was in Hong Kong, but relocated back to the UK when the territory was handed back to China.

We're planning a round of golf and are really looking forward to some downtime with our mates.

With the final games in the remiership this weekend, we'll also be looking out for the results, particularly to see how Blackburn Rovers round off the season.

Normally we manage to catch 'Match of the Day' on Sundays after Church.

The chaplain, Father Andy, tapes the footie for us and we watch it before we go back to our accommodation blocks.

However with it being Sunday fixtures we will miss it this week.

Every trainee has to go to church on Sunday, which we weren't looking forward to at the beginning, but it's actually really relaxing. In fact it's the best day of the week.

With two hectic weeks to go morale remains really high amongst our classes and it's now a sprint to the finishing line.