Thread 20 : 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's original exposé: The real Salt Path: how a blockbuster book and film were ...

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

Links to threads 2-16, the other 20 Observer articles and videos to date, Raynor Winn/Sally Walker's statement, our timeline and sources can all be accessed in the OP and first few posts of Thread 17: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5403285-thread-17-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

Thread 18: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5422393-thread-18-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

Thread 19: www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5437058-thread-19-to-feel-disappointed-after-reading-this-in-the-observer-about-the-author-and-her-husband-from-the-salt-path-book-and-film?

New posters joining us in the genuine spirit of our civil discourse are welcome. It would be helpful to get the background from at least some of the Observer exposé items 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. Remember, even Hollywood rabbits attract the odd flea. Please do not engage with drive-by scolders and ploppers who seem to have their own agenda and seek to derail. Avoid @'ing and quoting them as - from experience - this will only encourage them back to the threads. Over five months we have done amazingly well together for 19 very interesting, very serious and very silly threads so far. I can't be here as much as I'd like so all help with keeping our discussion walking along in our usual reasonable and respectful fashion is very welcome.

Keep to the path. No saltiness. May the fudge and cider be with you.

Up and coming:

• Salt Path: A Very British Scandal, Monday 15th December 9pm Sky Documentaries and NOW
• Sunday Papers Live, The Real Salt Path with Chloe Hadjimatheou, Sunday 7th December (see image below for tickets and further details)
• Observer Newsroom: The Real Salt Path Story, Thursday 8th January 2026 6.30-7.30pm. More information and to book via this link observer.co.uk/our-events/the-real-salt-path-story

No posts until Thread 19 is filled up. Many thanks.

Just as the Radio Times publicity for the new Sky documentary drops these new pieces of information? Will you ask Radio Times or Sky to let it go?

I have a feeling it’s only just beginning now Sky’s involved. Takes the investigation to a new level and a global audience.

Ooh, what was deleted? Did we miss a drive-by scolding?

You did Peladon but thankfully you didn't miss much. Now, away with you back to Thread 19! <shepherds patiently back along the path, dangling a FOF in temptation>

There have been a few “fly-by moaners” I think the mods called them. Yes, just as it’s featured in the Radio Times and with the talk and Sky Doc due in days, a few separate miserable Mumsnetters decided they couldn’t understand why we are still talking about this and wanted to post to let us know their thoughts. Egg, meet face! Also, that sort of thing is “not in the spirit of the site”.

So our Chloe may have her hands on HNTDYD…exciting!

Thank you so much @DisappointedReader for the new thread! A few of us have been in the wars over these months haven't we, but I'm sure I'm not alone in being much cheered by the ongoing discussion and prospect of Our Chloe's documentary!

(Do appreciate such cheering as in addition to other woes, I've lost at least 70% of my hair in the last 5/6 weeks -yes, another sepsis thing, very common- and after much angst resorted to cropping what was left myself yesterday and feel better for it. I think I've managed to avoid the 'in a tumbril on the way to the guillotine' vibe!)

I second the thanks for @DisappointedReader, I'm sorry to hear about your hair @Uricon2, I was just looking at the particular style you mentioned yesterday with my DD, it was fashionable for quite a while after the guillotining had ended, accompanied by a red ribbon tied at the throat.

I fell off the edge of thread 19 and couldn’t post! I need to go back and collect up a few of the things I wanted to reply to. I haven’t watched or read the latest links there either.
I bet cardboard Simon’s even soggier today…. It’s so muddy, incessant rain at the moment… Yes, to the pp who asked about the picture of the path on IG, I am sure that was taken in high summer. It’s been really warm and sunny throughout the Autumn but the spring and summer wildflowers went over at the end of August.
I was standing on the little beach at Trebah gardens not long ago… and saw a very fast little boat skimming around the headland (apologies to shrinkwrapped) and wondered if it was her and Tim.

I’m sorry to have missed the drive by mud slingers.
I’ve never had a gull take anything from me, but I have seen it happen. At the station there is a little colony and a pair will grab a box of sandwiches if anyone is eating on a bench. They’ll gulp the lot down. A man with an ice cream in Porthleven had it taken away by a hovering gull who came up from behind. They seem to be polite down on the quay. There’s a popular spot for eating fish n’ chips and they don’t snatch or bombard anybody there but they do keep an eye out for spills and leftovers.

Is anyone wondering if Raymoth might try a preemptive statement, perhaps with some sort of 'apology', in advance of the documentary? I know that they won't know exactly what Chloe has found out, but they must have a pretty fair idea what any relatives speaking out might talk about.

My gut feeling is they won't but it crossed my mind as a possibility

Feeling so much sympathy for you @Uricon2 💐🌞

Thanks so much @HatStickBoots . I keep telling myself that unlike legs, hair regrows and I've been very lucky but confess it is Hard.

Funnily enough, I have been wondering the same thing. If she does, maybe it will include some updates about Moth’s health (true or false) and the devastating effects the last few months have had on them all. I’m sure she stands firm by her last statement.

I think if she/they do, you're right, the health aspect is definitely what they would go for, as it's about the only thing that would get any sympathy. OK, they could tell us all that water was wet and we'd be dubious, but among True Believers and the more casual observer, it might have some traction.

Can pathological liars ever give a full mea culpa?

The Pathological Liar: What They Are, Why They Do It, And How To Deal With Compulsive Lying - Been There Got Out

@NaughtyNoodler : thanks for that article, which was really interesting.

@Uricon2 : I'm really sorry to hear that yiu are having such a tough time and wish you better.

I sadly have to report that Headless Simon is decidedly the worse for wear, following An Incident with spilled gin and a misbehaving hot toddy. But, on the other hand, we are here!

And I have to say that I bet Sal would absolutely LOVE to be papped! Not so much for the reason (although she could spend all her time shouting about how unfair it was, how unfairly maligned they have been, how their solicitors are on the case even now and litigation is but a moment away) but because it would keep her in the public eye. In her mind she is not guilty of anything, and her picture being featured in the gutter press is better than NOT being featured in the gutter press (sorry, Oscar...)

evening all, saw the latest charabanc pull up so thought I'd hop on. Thanks as always, @DisappointedReader and hope you've not been too under the cosh. I have been following the discussion but just Life & Stuff getting in the way of posting (nothing awful, thankfully). Sorry to hear of health woes, @Uricon2 & Brandy - all good thoughts heading to both of you.

Well, here we are in December! V much looking forward to seeing the CH documentary, especially if she's got family members speaking on camera. I wonder if it's the LinkedIn nephew?

Hello @TonstantWeader glad you are well and managed to hop on the charabanc, somehow or another @DisappointedReader has managed to keep the engine running after latest tinkering :)

I hopped on earlier and I'm very pleased that we have a comfortable place on the charabanc for @Uricon2 and Brandy to recuperate after all they have been through, though putting them so close to the fudge, cider, slow gin and tablet supplies might not be such a good idea :)
I'm looking forward to the documentary too, also wondering if the nephew will appear, it will be so interesting, so many possibilities with family members.

From both families as well.

It's worth highlighting the fact that Raymoth do have their defenders (people who have met them walking, at literary festivals, or known them at school) who appear to have found them genuinely likeable people while some certainly believe that Moth is a far from well man. It doesn't excuse any of their "mistakes" but it does perhaps show that they are not beyond the pale in terms of being able to forge friendships.

Will we be able to watch the documentary without a sky subscription?

I'm sure even serial killers and have friends and acquaintances who are surprised to hear what they've done. Nobody is all bad and Tim does seem to have had some health problems (although probably nothing particularly unusual for someone in their sixties), so it's not beyond the realms of possibility that the pair have people who would stand up for them. Although it's easy to put on a persona when speaking in public or meeting people for a few minutes, so I'd be keenest to hear from long-term friends who still believe they are telling the complete truth, rather than people who've met them for half an hour and had a chat.

@WearyCat it's on Sky and Now TV. It's possible to sign up for a weeks free trial and then but if you opt for longer you can still cancel at any time (as long as you don't have one of the saver packages which do tie you in for longer)