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Thread 9: 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 · 20/07/2025 00:16

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?

Thread 8 www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5375023-thread-8-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 visitors who seem to have their own agenda and seek to derail. Avoid @'ing and quoting them as this will only encourage them back to the threads.

We have done amazingly well together - in the main that is, not mentioning any names but you know who you are! - for eight 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.

The real Salt Path: what’s in the book, and what The Obse...

The real Salt Path: what’s in the book, and what The Obse...

Raynor and Moth Winn’s redemptive journey from penury and homelessness led to a bestselling book. The truth behind it is very different

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
52
DisappointedReader · 20/07/2025 19:10

I have sent you a PM @PullTheBricksDown

OP posts:
PullTheBricksDown · 20/07/2025 19:10

This reply has been deleted

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

Only reading this now - have been out during the day and in catching up quoted as the post referred to here raised, let's say, quite a few issues in my view. But I (belatedly) agree. Don't want to waste more time arguing with someone who's clearly going to stick with this highly dubious stance.

Stravaig · 20/07/2025 19:13

TonstantWeader · 20/07/2025 18:55

Ha! we've not even got on to the what do you call 'milk' yet..... 😉😘

Oh? Say more ...

gattocattivo · 20/07/2025 19:15

@AlertCat I have only read TSP but my gut feeling was very much that she’s the controlling partner who dictates the narrative. I also felt that she seems quite in awe of Moth, as though she feels she’s done well in life by ‘bagging him’, and that maybe this is where the controlling element comes from? Of course this is just my opinion, but I suppose it kind of ties in with the recent revelations. I wonder how much Moth knew what went on in the past? How far were they a double act, or was he in the dark until the Hemmings’ discoverer the missing dosh.

TonstantWeader · 20/07/2025 19:17

Stravaig · 20/07/2025 19:13

Oh? Say more ...

You can tell where someone comes from in Wales by what they call milk. In the North, milk = llefrith (h'lev-rith). In the South, milk = llaeth (h'lieth). Somewhere in the middle of Wales is the dividing line and this makes linguists v happy as they map it regularly.

To add to the fun, Northerners call cream 'llaeth'. Apart from ice cream, which is generally hufen ia (hivven yar).

Here endeth the lesson 😁

AlertCat · 20/07/2025 19:18

gattocattivo · 20/07/2025 19:15

@AlertCat I have only read TSP but my gut feeling was very much that she’s the controlling partner who dictates the narrative. I also felt that she seems quite in awe of Moth, as though she feels she’s done well in life by ‘bagging him’, and that maybe this is where the controlling element comes from? Of course this is just my opinion, but I suppose it kind of ties in with the recent revelations. I wonder how much Moth knew what went on in the past? How far were they a double act, or was he in the dark until the Hemmings’ discoverer the missing dosh.

Yeah I know. It’s a funny one.

I also don’t think the Gangani website was written by the same person as wrote TSP. It’s got quite a different style. I’m intrigued to read the Wyn-Thomas book though, maybe they should give it to Penguin to publish 🤔

DisappointedReader · 20/07/2025 19:18

OwlSock · 20/07/2025 19:10

Just wondering if the 'Thomas' in Izzy Wyn-Thomas is an anagram of 'S'ally 'A'nn and Moth. 🤔

Thanks for the discussion, I have been following all the threads and commentary.

If I remember rightly, Thomas was Sally's father's name and it is also the public name given to Sally and Tim's adult son.

Just a reminder to everyone that, although the two adult offsprings' real names are available elsewhere, we don't post them here.

OP posts:
Stravaig · 20/07/2025 19:22

TonstantWeader · 20/07/2025 19:17

You can tell where someone comes from in Wales by what they call milk. In the North, milk = llefrith (h'lev-rith). In the South, milk = llaeth (h'lieth). Somewhere in the middle of Wales is the dividing line and this makes linguists v happy as they map it regularly.

To add to the fun, Northerners call cream 'llaeth'. Apart from ice cream, which is generally hufen ia (hivven yar).

Here endeth the lesson 😁

There's scope for some fun/pointed mis-ingredients there! Thank you 🤗

PullTheBricksDown · 20/07/2025 19:24

cricketandwhodunnits · 20/07/2025 16:58

I've also joined MN because of this multi-part thread. Thank you all. It's been fascinating. I have no special talent, I can be - er - the cricket correspondent? (There's a really weird bit in TSP where Moth suddenly produces a radio that he's carried all the way, in order to listen to the last few overs of the 2013 Ashes - a neat way of dating the end of a section of the book but a sure way to make readers notice that this is all an artistic construction. If he has the radio he been listening to it a lot more than that, just saying).

Yes, as the Sceptical First Time Reader correspondent who's reading TSP at the moment, this struck me as very odd. Ray is surprised when he gets it out and doesn't know he's packed it, saying 'it weighs as much as a bag of sugar'. If you'd carried a heavy item why not get more use out of it? Or even try to sell or barter it when short of cash, if it really was purely to listen to the Ashes commentary?
More generally on this point, their packing skills are dreadful. No hat for Ray, no sunscreen, forgotten painkillers, and neither of them know what the other is carrying. But also don't forget how in love and perfectly in step they are etc. 🤨

AlertCat · 20/07/2025 19:24

TonstantWeader · 20/07/2025 19:17

You can tell where someone comes from in Wales by what they call milk. In the North, milk = llefrith (h'lev-rith). In the South, milk = llaeth (h'lieth). Somewhere in the middle of Wales is the dividing line and this makes linguists v happy as they map it regularly.

To add to the fun, Northerners call cream 'llaeth'. Apart from ice cream, which is generally hufen ia (hivven yar).

Here endeth the lesson 😁

I’m not a Welsh speaker so this is really interesting to me! I’m also aware that in South America (I think Argentina particularly) the Spanish word for butter (mantequilla) can refer to lard, which in Spain is manteca. I heard a few years ago now that this is because lard was cheaper than butter and was used in its place in the Americas, but I wonder why the word for cream in north Wales is the same as the south Walian word for milk? A similar reason?

AldoGordo · 20/07/2025 19:25

OwlSock · 20/07/2025 19:10

Just wondering if the 'Thomas' in Izzy Wyn-Thomas is an anagram of 'S'ally 'A'nn and Moth. 🤔

Thanks for the discussion, I have been following all the threads and commentary.

Maybe, but was also her father's name....she likes using family names.

AlertCat · 20/07/2025 19:26

TheBrandyPath · 20/07/2025 19:22

@AlertCat
"Winn is an author now, but that wasn’t always the case. She hadn’t written a word until autumn 2016..."
Where the Salt Path led next

Ah, but can we believe her?

TonstantWeader · 20/07/2025 19:27

Interesting! I must admit I've no idea, sorry, @AlertCat - does your DH know? But thanks for the info about Spanish. I'm a total language nerd so love that sort of fact. Btw, Welsh is a lot easier to learn than people think, having done it as an adult. It's v similar to French in a lot of vocab. Don't be put off by the mutation stuff

PullTheBricksDown · 20/07/2025 19:30

TonstantWeader · 20/07/2025 18:59

that is really interesting. Thank you for sharing it.

Could anyone kindly 😉 share a screenshot? I'm not on Facebook so I can never get access to these pages. Ta in advance

TonstantWeader · 20/07/2025 19:34

PullTheBricksDown · 20/07/2025 19:30

Could anyone kindly 😉 share a screenshot? I'm not on Facebook so I can never get access to these pages. Ta in advance

Removed link as it was rubbish!

AldoGordo · 20/07/2025 19:34

PullTheBricksDown · 20/07/2025 19:30

Could anyone kindly 😉 share a screenshot? I'm not on Facebook so I can never get access to these pages. Ta in advance

The FB post is a links to the page owner's website - a review of TSP in June

https://jackmontgomery.co.uk/2025/05/30/the-problem-with-the-salt-path/

The problem with The Salt Path - Author and Travel Writer - Jack Montgomery

I really enjoyed reading The Salt Path. But there were aspects of the book that I had problems with, and those were to do with the character of the author.

https://jackmontgomery.co.uk/2025/05/30/the-problem-with-the-salt-path/

TonstantWeader · 20/07/2025 19:36

Oh, that's a much better link, @AldoGordo - I'll ask for mine to be taken down.

Chateaudiaries · 20/07/2025 19:36

Happy to be the French correspondent!

I make scones from a NT recipe and it’s always jam before cream chez nousSmile

PullTheBricksDown · 20/07/2025 19:41

AldoGordo · 20/07/2025 19:34

The FB post is a links to the page owner's website - a review of TSP in June

https://jackmontgomery.co.uk/2025/05/30/the-problem-with-the-salt-path/

Thanks @AldoGordo and @TonstantWeader ! Yes, he makes excellent points. Especially about her 'outrage' at being asked to pay for any goods or services. Clearly no permanent residents of the south west need to earn a living, or simply haven't switched on their Saintly and Deserving Down On Their Luck Walkers detector that day.

WartFace · 20/07/2025 19:46

DisappointedReader · 20/07/2025 18:55

Welcome. You can be our BS Detecting Correspondent and you will have a lot of willing and skilful assistance with that.

On the lying front, I have certainly come across people who have lied because of an extreme situation they were in. For me it's what they do next. Are they regretful and remorseful, do they make amends, or do they maintain the lie, deny or minimise it, blame others or make a habit of it. In this case it seems to be a web of lies over years, including some quite extreme ones.

Jam, eh?

Yes, jam first. Absolutely definitely. Non- negotiable.

Re: lying. Of course, if they admit it and apologise I’d forgive readily. But when you know they’re lying and they know you know … bad news.

MarmiteWine · 20/07/2025 19:46

AldoGordo · 20/07/2025 19:34

The FB post is a links to the page owner's website - a review of TSP in June

https://jackmontgomery.co.uk/2025/05/30/the-problem-with-the-salt-path/

Anyone else curious about the fact that the only comment on this piece that Jack Worthington didn't reply to was from an Edward Hendry? Hendry being the surname used for one of the Gangani parties.

Thread 9: To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film?
Aspanielstolemysanity · 20/07/2025 19:50

MarmiteWine · 20/07/2025 19:46

Anyone else curious about the fact that the only comment on this piece that Jack Worthington didn't reply to was from an Edward Hendry? Hendry being the surname used for one of the Gangani parties.

"turns out this whiff was more of a stink" Grin

Also welcome all the new posters who have emerged from lurking in the bushes. Please bury any wild poos properly and let us have a share of any pilfered confectionery

Songlines · 20/07/2025 19:56

Don't know if this has been discussed already but the Gangani were a 'warlike' tribe from the Lleyn peninsula

Thread 9: To feel disappointed after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film?
MarmiteWine · 20/07/2025 19:57

MarmiteWine · 20/07/2025 19:46

Anyone else curious about the fact that the only comment on this piece that Jack Worthington didn't reply to was from an Edward Hendry? Hendry being the surname used for one of the Gangani parties.

Jack Montgomery! I've no idea who Jack Worthington is 🤣

I should have stayed lurking. I've been very comfortable watching from behind a bush for the last 8 threads!

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