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The warm water of the Gulf Stream makes the peaceful Scilly Isles, off Cornwall, so mild that you can walk through tropical plants by turquoise sea, writes SORCHA HAMILTON

And it does. The clouds begin to clear and we can see down to the turquoise waters of the Scilly Isles, off the southwestern tip of England. We can also see, somewhat terrifyingly, the approaching runway through the cockpit window. As the plane wavers a little in the wind, we touch down smoothly.