Thread 7: To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film?

[DisappointedReader]

The Observer The real Salt Path: how a blockbuster book and film were ...

Second article in the Observer
https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-whats-in-the-book-and-what-the-observer-has-found

Third item in the Observer
https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-the-truth-behind-the-blockbuster-book-video

Fourth item in The Observer
‘I felt I was being gaslit’ – the landlord who helped Ray...

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Thread 6
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5372494-thread-6-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

Raynor Winn/Sally Walker's statement Raynor Winn

New posters welcome. It would be helpful to read at least the four Observer items above before posting.

To all - Please be careful when it comes to naming or implicating people and addresses not in the public eye or with no connection to the story, and around the understandable health speculations, especially where details are unclear or still emerging. Please do not engage with possible visitors who seem to have their own agenda and seek to derail.
Keep on the path as we have done together amazingly well for six threads so far. No saltiness. Thank you.

Thankfully I've never had to take pregabalin myself, but I've known many people who do/have. Some it really suits and their pain is much relieved on it. Some (quite a lot) have horrible side effects. I'm not sure if it's addictive as such, but it's certainly popular as a drug of abuse and there was a time when it was apparently the most used/abused drug in English prisons. I've known exprisoners who were very keen to keep taking it.

Anyway, that aside -- the side effects listed may fit TW's reported symptoms. He may or may not have been taking pregabalin (it's often used by pain clinics).

But AFAIK pregabalin doesn't affect scans that show if you have the normal amount of dopamine in the brain, as per the depleted amount reported by the neurologist.

Happy to be educated if I'm wrong on this.

Of course people can have more than one "issue" at a time, viz all those people who genuinely do have medical problems and end up with side effects from their meds which might be worse than the initial problem.

They definitely warned me about it being addictive at the GPs when I was first prescribed it (pregabalin)

Yes, Tim was taking it in TSP, they forgot to take it with them so he had to come off it without tapering and had a horrible withdrawal from it. :-(

Many thanks for your insight!

They already removed the webpage featuring Sally as ambassador last week

Are we sure Simon Armitage isn't the one who lost his home and then set off on the SWCP? Looks like he did and we know he walked it seeking refuge and food from strangers.

For all we know he was indeed in cahoots with Raymoth and told his story through them, splitting the proceeds. Because of his stoney "the accused" countenance, the softer and warmer Raymoth were the public face but as Tim was a bit voluable, he had to be kept in the background. As a cover he used his "travelling troubadour" persona to do the same walk but really he was creating plausible deniability and making sure they didn't go off message (he was v annoyed about missing out on Grant, lasagne and the massage though) Now he's Poet Laureate he looks back on this as an embarrassing interlude and thus has wooed the Observer to do his bidding. He is also quite annoyed that JI played him in the film as he wanted George Clooney. Tom Cruise too short but would do at a pinch.

Nah, you're a much better writer Simon.😂Sorry.

Hello everyone.

Just a reminder please to play nicely. Think very carefully before posting about individuals not central to TSP situation and Raymoth.

We have got nearly to the end of 7 mainly very healthy threads of discussion together, which is quite an achievement. Lets keep it that way please.

If you have had a post deleted, please think about why that is and take care not to repeat it.

Many thanks.
The OP

See, I've not yet started the book but this details seems implausible to me. I know someone who is on long term pregabalin. Can't imagine they would a) forget to pack it for a trip, and b) decide they would tough it out if they found they'd forgotten it.

Oh, the "Watatwee" joke has a long history. I think they started the business in about 2003? 2004?

It was mainly a fruit and veg stall near the beach back then but they've slowly built it up as the second generation got older and took over from mum, dad, auntie and uncle.

Firstly there were things like homemade quiches and savoury tarts, sandwiches, cans of pop, water, things like that, then they bought a bit of restaurant kitchen space next door and started a deli.

Then came selling jam and olive oil and it being more a proper shop, then a bit of wine. I think that they were flying by the seat of their pants financially for quite a while and inclined to be a bit hysterical.

The second generation had toddler or a bit older children at the time so they were watching kids' films in about 2007/8. When Ratatouille came out with Rémi the rat being a tiny chef and helping Luigi.

Nothing could have been funnier or more absurd than me coming into the shop with my short haired chihuahua puppy, (not my idea, bought for me by my ex but she became a local village celebrity and I came to love her so much. We were inseperable.)

The dog and I were there to buy some chilled counter food and give a vote of confidence to the deli set up because it was a big risk for them. Selling food cooked on the premises, then chilled, then sold on to be warmed up at home...I wouldn't have even considered it as a business proposition.

Anyway. In comes Redheadedstepchild with her new rodent like pet.

"Hé bé!" In my best Corsican.
"On s'adore la watatwee!"

"We love ratatouille!"

I know, I was up in the Scottish Highlands once and forgot one of my meds, just went to a local chemist who rang either GPs or the pharmacy at home or something and got me some. At least titrate off it when it's important.

This is absolutely hilarious I literally laughed out loud. Watch the first 30 seconds.

Not only hysterically funny what Graham Stuart says and how he says it, but also Keir Starmer's and Angela Rayner's poker faces as the camera moves across to them.

https://news.sky.com/video/tory-mp-compares-labour-manifesto-to-the-salt-path-13397418

Yeah my daughter announced she'd forgotten her EpiPens when we were at the other end of the country. It only took a couple of phone calls to get it sorted

Despite his pain Ray prefers Moth off it she reports, he’s less ‘slow’. Problem is no nearby pharmacies as guide books only talk about path itself & after a while not a priority. She forgot to pack drug supplies as rushing. Why implausible?

I reckon the withdrawal is done for drama and to get us to feel sorry for Tim, then he can emerge meds free (less 'slow' as Sally puts it) to go with the 'healing by nature / walking' narrative.

Not needing meds, just hiking. Bet they are anti-vaxxers as well, wouldn't put it past them.

My husband was a bit funny about me taking SSRIs at one point but soon put a stop to that. It's not right for one person to stop another meds like that or comment on it even.

I also think it sounds implausible, meds would be something important to bring even if rushing.

Why implausible? Because I think if you need pregabalin due to an ongoing medical condition, I don't think you can suddenly do without it. It would be impossible to function. I simply don't believe you could bear with the withdrawal symptoms and walk a challenging coastal path anyway. The healing power of nature may be good but it ain't that good. Other people may have different views, but this is mine based on knowledge of someone taking it.

Angela and Keir need to sign up to MN!

😂they do!

Fantastic insights for which many thanks.

If as a medical expert/experienced doctor (albeit not a neurologist) based on the information currently available, what is your best guess/informed medical opinion about the 'events' described in TSP relating to Moth's medical condition, the allegations in the Observer and comments by specialists in CBD and SW's rebuttal/explanation of Moth's condition on her website?

Although I am fascinated by the entire saga, I have pretty much zero insight into CBD although my father suffered from Parkinson's and Vascular Dementia.

Interesting. Thanks.

He has a shivering fit. from memory, but after hot tea, he’s good to go. Ah found a TSP ref:

“Moth groaned through the night, the aches in his joints getting worse until finally he fell into a sound sleep. Was the Pregabalin hell over? He woke around midday, more alert, a little stronger, ate a cereal bar and was ready to move on’.

If you forgot vital meds you’d surely call someone to help? Especially if no water. Sometimes I forget this wasn’t set in 50s or 60s.

@GogleddCymru I think with some people who support them it is a bit of sunk costs fallacy. They have invested a lot in the book in one way or another and don't want to be "wrong". They're not, whatever the truth of all this, but they are reluctant to let go of the narrative that this was accurate, Raymoth were victims, etc.

Why didn't Moth phone his GP / fill in their online form or whatever and ask for a prescription to be sent to a local pharmacy?

Why didn't Moth say "bloody hell, my joints are aching; we were stupid forgetting my Pregabalin". From the text it sounds like she's describing an animal that can't speak.

To be groaning in pain is horrific, but I think the whole thing was a complete lie and didn't happen.

Nah, doesn't sound right, takes at least weeks if not a month or more. Also it really can affect sleep, that wouldn't just change like that the same night I doubt.

Here is an example of someone of a similar age, who tapered off over 1 week, and had side effects for several weeks needing admission to hospital.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6284877/

The book says they stayed with a friend called Jan for a couple of weeks before they set off. Hardly rushing.

Quite!

If my DH was groaning in pain throughout the night, not moving until midday and I knew he had a chronic illness, I'd be getting him help ASAP.

i definitely wouldn't be thinking 'all he needs is a Trek bar and he'll be grand for another 15 miles".

But then, I wouldn't have forced him into walking hundreds of miles in the first place.