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

[DisappointedReader]

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...

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Thread 6
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husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

Thread 7
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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.

Oh goodness me yes... I did feel quite sorry for her at that point. because either she can't afford lawyers and PR, or has fallen out with them, or felt she didn't need them. Very ill judged.

@sualipa
I didn’t find clarity on that path. I found a brand.
Gold

This is very true. Jeffery Archer has sold squllions of books god alone knows who to but you'd never say he had a unblemished record as a fine, upstanding member of the community. Or at least not with a straight face.

I watched that clip on C5, thanks to the PP who mentioned it.

They struck me very much as playing a part - there was no weight to their words or manner in the way there would be if they were experienced cider makers.

I'll be honest, I knew nothing about them before all this broke. I was was aware of the film, but not the full story, and am intrigued now. These threads have been very informative and entertaining! Hopefully we'll find out more about events leading up to their move to Wales.

Has there been a tv programme about this. If so, when ?

In a BBC interview (2022):
“I’m still going strong, thanks to walking the coast path.”

From The Salt Path (via The Wild Silence commentary)
“After 200 miles of walking over endless headlands, carrying everything we needed to survive on our backs, Moth’s health began to improve in ways that should have been impossible. His gait became almost normal, his thoughts cleared, his short‑term memory sharpened and movements that had been almost impossible before became easy.”

Winn has repeatedly emphasized that long-distance walking significantly improved Moth’s mobility, cognitive sharpness and well-being.

She has insisted that walking plays a crucial therapeutic role for him.

So yes, it is her fault that it has given others false hope and understandably people feel betrayed.

That’s really disingenuous

No it’s not. It’s just a different perspective based on how I read the book.

Do you have a neurological condition?

I think you are being rather disingenuous.

How do you explain
a) the content of the specialist neurologist letters of 2015,2019 and 2025 which make no reference to a diagnosis of CBD in 2013 and
b) the absence of any letter from a neurologist in 2013 confirming the CBD diagnosis described in the book?

This is the crux of the matter.

If Sally Walker can provide a copy of the letter from a neurologist in 2013 confirming the events described in The Salt Path then this will go some way to restoring her credibility

At this stage, the ball is very much in Sally Walker's court, and until she does provide a copy of the 2013 letter, then the jury is out and objective debate (such as here on MN) will justifiably continue, irrespective of ill conceived attempts to shut it down because "feelings are being hurt".

@Humankindness I'm curious - what kind of evidence or reporting would you find pursuasive, if you don't trust the Observer's stuff?

Well, the statement from Sally Walker of course which explains everything at length perfectly satisfactorily!

😆

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.

What do you mean by him wanting a slice of their life?

there seems to be 100% buy-in from many on this thread to the notion that the Observer team must have done their homework and would have had the scoop thoroughly checked by their legal team. I wouldn’t take this for granted.

they referenced source material that can be checked.

If there is evidence that they are wrong. the film company and Penguin have a commercial interest in funding the Walker’s legal costs.

The Walkers have not refuted anything published in the Observer as fact.

there is zero evidence that the author has been advising other CBS/CBD sufferers that they should try walking as a possible cure for the condition

They published a book that said that walking had reversed brain degeneration. The quotes are in earlier threads.

Why hold her to the same standards as a medical professional when slamming her for not being (clinically) precise about the condition being atypical

Penguin and the agent are also responsible for publishing misleading information . At some point between publishing the first book and selling the rights to the film they should have thought about the impact of the story told.

Bill Cole certainly seems to believe he was misled.

I think @DisappointedReader jinxed us when she said the slower pace of the read made it easier to read 😂.

Resigned to the fact that I'm going to get up tomorrow morning and find 3,700 new messages!

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.

People pay full rent and work the land usually... Many would have bitten his arm off for a peppercorn rent

The world didn't owe RayMoth a living

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.

https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/in-the-news/i-interviewed-salt-path-author/

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.

The cover artwork is so beautiful isn't it.
I get struck by it every time! I need to save my pocket money for a print

or maybe I could just embezzle my employer instead