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

It's a typical distraction, a deliberate misdirection. A look this way, don't look that way. It's similar to the technique drug dealers use when raided. They have a smaller stash and offer that up fairly willingly, in the hope of avoiding a full house and vehicles search.

"I wonder what sort of chocolate bar he would be, definitely not run of the mill"

Based on his work history, Flake?

There was no mention of the book in the documentary @PinkPanther57 I think as @NaughtyNoodler said, and I certainly felt the same, this documentary was laying out the story and investigation ready for the podcasts, if I remember correctly, there are planned podcasts in January, so not long to wait.

He has "mars bar dipped in a cup of tea" all over him.

Of course @SimoArmo, just as Sal likes him :)

Gloopy

I have a horrible feeling that despite all that has come out from CH so far and despite what may yet be revealed in her podcast, that it's all going to have pretty much zero impact on Sal.

I predict that there won't be any mea culpa from Sal (although she might do an interview somewhere if the money is right), her agent and PRH will keep a stony silence and OWH will be published in Oct 2026, as if nothing has happened. Why? Because mugs will continue to lap up whatever she writes and because there are a lot of people out there who simply don't care whether she is a fraud and a con artist.

Depressing. I hope I'm proved wrong.

😂

Tell small, forgivable lies (such as stealing fudge and campsites out of desperation) to mask the far greater and darker truth.

A reminder for @faffadoodledo and anyone else in need that it is also available on NOW TV. Join for £9.99 and cancel before the month is up. Make a note on your calendar or in your diary when to cancel! NB Make sure you don't take out a 12 months 'saver' subscription by mistake as you can't cancel that early. Click on Flexible Plan and that will take you to Flexible Entertainment:

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Raymoth were blown away by Gillian Anderson & Jason Issacs who were in such awe of the couple themselves…

If Gillian & Jason went on the record expressing their grave disappointment that might be something that might result in grave reflection. The fact Raymoth admit NO wrongdoing at all, even now, really shouldn’t be allowed to stand & be endorsed by PRH & everyone else, especially those with a public platform.

I keep getting a large Hertz ad in the middle of this thread for 'getaways'! The woman in sunglasses in the photo staring longingly in to the distance looks rather like Salray from behind!

Also ads for Long Tall Sally. Is that because of Sally's Long Tall Tales?

So funny @DisappointedReader we would all like to send Salray off, many miles away, far away to the land of make believe where she belongs :)

The chap Warren, who Salray represented as Grant, has difficulty in his own life, CH pointed out that yet again Salray showed no empathy, it's always about her and Moth. I do believe the confession letter, because it's so typical of Salray even in that situation, to say that the confession is doing her good, not how it is hurting her sister.

Why did she purposefully edit in x2 unusually beautiful, well groomed women & flag her frizzy hair & perceived failings by comparison?

I have reached a bit of a nadir! You know I had to crop my hair because I'd lost so much as an after effect of sepsis? Well, I ventured out to get a parcel that had been left in an odd place. Caught a glimpse of myself in the window returning and the breeze had ruffled my remaining strands into an exact approximation of the carefully arranged Timoth hairstyle.

I have to say it looks better on him than on me

Thanks to all who've done run downs of the docu content. I'm disappointed there isn't more about HNTDDD and the CB prize but agree it may be discussed in the podcast. I imagine the film has to cover what to us is ancient ground but may be news to a lot of viewers.

Now ads for The Very Hungry Caterpillar, perhaps because of 'Moth'.

On Monday they ate through one pack of instant noodles but they were still hungry. On Tuesday they ate through two of Grant's lasagnes but they were still hungry. On Wednesday they ate through three stolen FOFs but they were still hungry. On Thursday they ate through four 50p Cornish pasties but they were still hungry...

A pity that Humble Pie isn't on the list and won't be any time soon, if at all.

I’m getting ads for foundation: “conceals, corrects, covers”
🤣

I don't know @PinkPanther57 was it a vehicle to portray Moth as sexually attractive, while downplaying her own appeal, making herself relatable to the many women reading who have these feelings about themselves when insecure?

Another poor me
One of Timoth's/their fantasies
To sex the book up a bit
God-like/Guru Timoth as Sex God Timoth

@RainyTuesdaysAndSunnyWednesdays So, here are my notes on the rest of the programme

Thank you so much @RainyTuesdaysAndSunnyWednesdays . You may remember when we had a bit of fun about their unlikely rewilding of Haye Farm - I shared the first two verses of Close to You.
With the renewed interest and the natty wedding photo - here is the last verse:

On the day that you were born the angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair
Of golden starlight in your eyes of blue

That is why all the girls in town (Girls in town)
Follow you (Follow you)
All around (All around)
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you

(The Carpenters)

I have to say it looks better on him than on me

Well perhaps, our dear @Uricon2, but at least you are not a lying, thieving, cheating con artist. Your hair is hopefully only temporary as a result of genuine and serious illness. He is always going to be one of those.

Thanks for your update@RainyTuesdaysAndSunnyWednesdays
So what exactly was the real story with “Grant”? How did they end up spending time/staying with them? I have always thought that whole scene in the book was weird

I have worked myself into such a froth over this whole thing that I fear I may need to be immersed in fudge ice cream in order to calm down.

Thanks to everyone who has so succinctly summed up the documentary. I really hope that the podcasts will reveal more - however, I fear that many many readers won't ever go near the podcasts. Too many people believe that things are only 'real' if they've seen them on TV.