Much depends on the wind, which could push the oil out towards the open sea or in the other direction.

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Their pale buildings seem to grow out of the sea cliffs, with fierce-blue views in every direction.

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The suggestion is that it first flew out to sea, then south, appearing over southern Israel from the direction of the Mediterranean.

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But that would have meant an arduous trip by sea, train and probably air east to the United Arab Emirates - in the wrong direction - before flying back across Europe and the Atlantic to Barbados.

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