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Thread 8: To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film?

1000 replies

DisappointedReader · 16/07/2025 23:41

Well, this has turned out to be slightly longer than the dozen or so replies I expected when I started the first thread!

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

2nd Observer
https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-whats-in-the-book-and-what-the-observer-has-found

3rd Observer
https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-salt-path-the-truth-behind-the-blockbuster-book-video

4th Observer
‘I felt I was being gaslit’ – the landlord who helped Ray...

Thread One ^www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5368194-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?^

Thread 2 Thread 2. To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film? | Mumsnet

Thread 3 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5369425-thread-3-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

Thread 4 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5370609-thread-4-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

Thread 5 Thread 5: To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film? | Mumsnet

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?

Thread 7
www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5373425-thread-7-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 extremely cautious when it comes to naming or implicating people and addresses not in the public eye or with no direct 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.

We have done amazingly well together - in the main that is, not mentioning any names but you know who you are! - for seven threads so far. I can't be on the threads as much as I'd like so all help with keeping our discussion ticking along in a healthy and civil fashion is very welcome.

No saltiness. Keep to the path. Thank you.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
38
FurryHappyKittens · 17/07/2025 21:26

sualipa · 17/07/2025 21:24

Observer Salt Path Special just landed.
The Salt Path. In this special episode, Giles Whittell is joined by the journalist behind the story, Chloe Hadjimatheou, and her editor, Alexi Mostrous, to discuss how the investigation unfolded.

Edited

That was from last weekend wasn't it?

I'm sure I listened to it then.

Uricon2 · 17/07/2025 21:26

Humankindness · 17/07/2025 21:16

No I disagree. She’s telling their story from their perspective based on what works for Moth.

As for Bill the cider farm owner reinforcing the idea that Winn has created a false narrative about Moth’s health, I wonder if he’s just hungry for publicity. Everyone seems to have forgotten that there’s a power dynamic in that relationship too. Someone offers you a peppercorn rent (while expecting you to work the land) and then expects a slice of your life. That would be uncomfortable for many.

Edited

Why are you so sympathetic to them but not to anyone else involved? The Observer/Chloe H/Ros Hemmings/other people saying they owe money/now Bill Cole, all being criticised based on speculation, much more speculation than that directed at RW/TW.

AldoGordo · 17/07/2025 21:27

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Aspanielstolemysanity · 17/07/2025 21:27

FurryHappyKittens · 17/07/2025 21:25

We really shouldn't bite, but it's a good way to help us rethink why we feel the way we do about the Walkers, and also reinforces the facts surrounding the revelations.

I genuinely don't mind people coming in with different perspectives. It's interesting..
Even if I do half suspect it's just my husband on a wind up so he gets to keep control of the TV remote Grin

Humankindness · 17/07/2025 21:29

Bruisername · 17/07/2025 21:09

Do you have a neurological condition?

That’s very specific. Will you use it against me if I haven’t?!!

I’ve had another life threatening health condition and quickly learnt that activities/behaviours/solutions that worked for others may not work for me.

FurryHappyKittens · 17/07/2025 21:29

The woman whose emotional turmoil had poured across her pages was far more reserved in person: the rawness I had expected from someone who had battled so much unbelievable misfortune was absent. As we spoke, I struggled to learn more about her life than had already been recounted in her books; Winn repeating some of the anecdotes I’d read. On leaving, I couldn’t help feeling our encounter had been somehow unsatisfying: that everything beyond what she had already written was somehow off-limits.

For good reason as it turns out!

Aspanielstolemysanity · 17/07/2025 21:30

Frustrating to see the Grazia journalist repeat the myth that you can " see " how well someone is from a photo. You just can't. Not even from meeting them for a few hours.

That said, it's notable that a theme is emerging of Tim avoiding interviews and locations changing and Sally just trotting out likes from the book

OpenThatWindow · 17/07/2025 21:33

I agree.

It's helped understand the (potential) mindset of the Winns and how they might be amending the narrative to fit themselves and thus be absolved of any wrongdoing.

It's quite interesting/revealing!

Edited to add - I meant to quote @Aspanielstolemysanity "I genuinely don't mind people coming in with different perspectives. It's interesting..
Even if I do half suspect it's just my husband on a wind up so he gets to keep control of the TV remote"

sualipa · 17/07/2025 21:36

FurryHappyKittens · 17/07/2025 21:26

That was from last weekend wasn't it?

I'm sure I listened to it then.

You may well be right but just published by the Observer to their YT channel.

Bruisername · 17/07/2025 21:45

Humankindness · 17/07/2025 21:29

That’s very specific. Will you use it against me if I haven’t?!!

I’ve had another life threatening health condition and quickly learnt that activities/behaviours/solutions that worked for others may not work for me.

It’s specific because there have been plenty on here who do and have given their view on how it felt for them

i I think without that first hand experience it is a different read

EternalLodga · 17/07/2025 21:45

Didn't salt used to be used as money? Maybe the title is the salt path aka the road to riches

Applepie32 · 17/07/2025 21:46

Humankindness · 17/07/2025 21:29

That’s very specific. Will you use it against me if I haven’t?!!

I’ve had another life threatening health condition and quickly learnt that activities/behaviours/solutions that worked for others may not work for me.

How do you defend the theft from the shop/ campsite? Stealing from small businesses who work so hard to make a seasonal living?

Humankindness · 17/07/2025 21:49

ThatFluentHedgehog · 17/07/2025 19:55

I see the publishers' wrongdoing as separate from the Walker-Winns'. I don't think they set out to publish a fake true story – but equally don't think they did anywhere near sufficient factchecking (if any!). Even if that's the norm I think it's basically selling under false pretences to not properly check something you put on the cover as a unflinchingly honest and market as a true account.

Hopefully this saga might lead to more background checks on non-fiction, as PPs have also wished for.

However, it's now disappointing that PRH have to all intents continued to support SW's version of events after The Observer articles and other reports have come out. Although the subtext of the postponement of Book 4 speaks volumes, I'd like to see that as actual text from them!

Once again, the Observer article, written by the discredited Chloe Hadjimatheou, is put up an a pedestal and portrayed as fact. We might want to roll back and think through the political economy of journalism. Is it about careful fact finding or getting a quick scoop whatever the cost? Is it about ensuring a story stands up legally or more about making a calculated guess about your victim’s capacity to sue / win a case? The Observer is under new ownership. Do we know what value-system and funding are propping it up?

more “hyperbole” from the “disingenuous”, “flouncy” “plant” 😘

AldoGordo · 17/07/2025 21:50

FurryHappyKittens · 17/07/2025 21:21

Yes, it's just so awful for them that the Hemmings, locals from Pwllheli, a family member, the widow of the relative who loaned them money, their old landlord, and so on are all after something.

Amidst this the Walkers are beacons of innocence and suffering.

Doesn't it seem SO strange that the many many inconsistencies that have been raised, derived from testimonies, documents and even the substandard rebuttal and the book itself must all somehow be a coincidence or that all of them are out to get Raymoth? Must be a conspiracy. What other explanation could there be???

DisappointedReader · 17/07/2025 21:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Certainly not a plant from me!!! I can assure you chatty lot of that!!!

OP posts:
Aspanielstolemysanity · 17/07/2025 21:54

Humankindness · 17/07/2025 21:49

Once again, the Observer article, written by the discredited Chloe Hadjimatheou, is put up an a pedestal and portrayed as fact. We might want to roll back and think through the political economy of journalism. Is it about careful fact finding or getting a quick scoop whatever the cost? Is it about ensuring a story stands up legally or more about making a calculated guess about your victim’s capacity to sue / win a case? The Observer is under new ownership. Do we know what value-system and funding are propping it up?

more “hyperbole” from the “disingenuous”, “flouncy” “plant” 😘

I haven't seen it be put on a pedestal anywhere. You might want to read the threads a bit more.

What I also haven't seen though is any actual denial from Sally that she stole the money.

That total lack of a denial,.combined with brags of petty theft and deceit in the book itself,.leaves only one logical conclusion

AldoGordo · 17/07/2025 21:54

Humankindness · 17/07/2025 21:49

Once again, the Observer article, written by the discredited Chloe Hadjimatheou, is put up an a pedestal and portrayed as fact. We might want to roll back and think through the political economy of journalism. Is it about careful fact finding or getting a quick scoop whatever the cost? Is it about ensuring a story stands up legally or more about making a calculated guess about your victim’s capacity to sue / win a case? The Observer is under new ownership. Do we know what value-system and funding are propping it up?

more “hyperbole” from the “disingenuous”, “flouncy” “plant” 😘

The evidence speaks for itself without the Observer. You seem overly and irrationally hung up on the Observer when you should look into the evidence for yourself and form a rational judgement. But going by your responses on here, they seem to suggest you aren't willing to be open minded, so I wish you well and best of luck.

Humankindness · 17/07/2025 21:57

Applepie32 · 17/07/2025 21:46

How do you defend the theft from the shop/ campsite? Stealing from small businesses who work so hard to make a seasonal living?

I don’t defend it. But compared to Putin, Trump and Netanyahu I think it’s a lesser evil. I also imagine that when your life is falling apart, it’s more likely that you’ll not do the right thing.

Do you participate in 8 threads worth of discussion about petty theft? If not, why are you here?

OpenThatWindow · 17/07/2025 22:01

Humankindness · 17/07/2025 21:49

Once again, the Observer article, written by the discredited Chloe Hadjimatheou, is put up an a pedestal and portrayed as fact. We might want to roll back and think through the political economy of journalism. Is it about careful fact finding or getting a quick scoop whatever the cost? Is it about ensuring a story stands up legally or more about making a calculated guess about your victim’s capacity to sue / win a case? The Observer is under new ownership. Do we know what value-system and funding are propping it up?

more “hyperbole” from the “disingenuous”, “flouncy” “plant” 😘

I am more inclined to take Hadjimatheou's work as more trustworthy, as after the (isolated) ECU ruling she's more likely than ever to ensure credible sources, cross check references and abide by standards.

The rest of your post is waffle - finger wagging without saying anything of substance at all.

Rather like Winn's rebuttal.

AldoGordo · 17/07/2025 22:06

OpenThatWindow · 17/07/2025 22:01

I am more inclined to take Hadjimatheou's work as more trustworthy, as after the (isolated) ECU ruling she's more likely than ever to ensure credible sources, cross check references and abide by standards.

The rest of your post is waffle - finger wagging without saying anything of substance at all.

Rather like Winn's rebuttal.

It's a classic Trump tactic - waffle, discredit media, blame everyone else, offer no evidence or basis of argument, distract, hope people just forget about it....it's rather futile because I can't see it working here.

Aspanielstolemysanity · 17/07/2025 22:06

Humankindness · 17/07/2025 21:57

I don’t defend it. But compared to Putin, Trump and Netanyahu I think it’s a lesser evil. I also imagine that when your life is falling apart, it’s more likely that you’ll not do the right thing.

Do you participate in 8 threads worth of discussion about petty theft? If not, why are you here?

I've been homeless. (Well, like RayMoth, I owned a property I just couldn't live in it- in my case I had had to leave my violent ex)

I still didn't see that as an excuse for stealing from others.

And Putin etc is a very low bar to set. Should we release everyone else from jail on the basis they haven't arranged for a bunch of people to fall out of windows in mysterious circumstances? That's not an intellectual or reasoned defence.

Aspanielstolemysanity · 17/07/2025 22:08

Humankindness · 17/07/2025 21:57

I don’t defend it. But compared to Putin, Trump and Netanyahu I think it’s a lesser evil. I also imagine that when your life is falling apart, it’s more likely that you’ll not do the right thing.

Do you participate in 8 threads worth of discussion about petty theft? If not, why are you here?

Are you calling north of £60,000 "petty theft"? Because the bulk of the theft has been about that and other lies.
The brags about stealing chocolate bars etc just provide colour to the picture that is building

Humankindness · 17/07/2025 22:08

OpenThatWindow · 17/07/2025 22:01

I am more inclined to take Hadjimatheou's work as more trustworthy, as after the (isolated) ECU ruling she's more likely than ever to ensure credible sources, cross check references and abide by standards.

The rest of your post is waffle - finger wagging without saying anything of substance at all.

Rather like Winn's rebuttal.

So you can trust a dodgy person (in this case a journalist) then?! She learnt from her mistake so must now be undodgy!!

FlyAgaricc · 17/07/2025 22:09

@Aspanielstolemysanity so sorry

User14March · 17/07/2025 22:09

AldoGordo · 17/07/2025 22:06

It's a classic Trump tactic - waffle, discredit media, blame everyone else, offer no evidence or basis of argument, distract, hope people just forget about it....it's rather futile because I can't see it working here.

I think it might in time for next book.

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