Thread 21 : To feel disappointed - and now disgusted too - after reading this in The Observer about the author and her husband from The Salt Path book and film?

[DisappointedReader]

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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?

Thread 20: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5454438-thread-20-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 5 months we have done amazingly well together for 20 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. Our Cardboard Mascot Our Simon has had his head stuck back on and is wearing a very fetching tinsel boa. The charabanc is bedecked with fairy lights and very well stocked up. May the seasonal fudge and mulled cider be with you one and all. 🎅🌲🎁❄️🎄

These threads are the gifts that keep on giving:
New:

• Salt Path: A Very British Scandal, available from Monday 15th December Sky Documentaries and NOW TV
• ‘Don’t look for the money. I’ve taken it all’: Salt Path author Raynor Winn’s ‘confession’ that she stole from her family | The Observer

Up and coming:

• 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
• Podcast series from The Observer's award-winning Investigative Journalist Chloe Hadjimatheou
• BBC Documentary (NB Not involving Our Chloe)

*MNHQ correcting above 'Documentary' to 'Podcast' at request of author

NO POSTS PLEASE UNTIL THREAD 20 IS FULL

NO POSTS PLEASE UNTIL THREAD 20 IS FULL. THANK YOU.

Good evening everyone ...

Good evening @BemusingBrandy, I took your advice and had a few ciders before boarding :)

Thanks Disappointed Reader

To answer @Mauvish1 if a marriage takes place in anywhere which is not a church or Registry Office in Scotland, the venue will be noted on the marriage certificate.

Thanks for new thread

Thank you @DisappointedReader and @BemusingBrandy for guiding us on the salty path from thread 20 to 21. In a blind panic at the cliff edge of 20, having not seen this new thread had been set up, I needlessly attempted to avert us from heading into an abyss of no return or fudge or cider for eternity. Only afterwards, when no more posts were allowed, did I see that our most esteemed guides had indeed saved us from peril. I am glad to find myself aboard.

Watched the (boring) film today. Those rabbits are domestic lionheads, not wild rabbits. Even that's a lie!

Evening all! I'm v slightly tipsy, having been out for a drink with my oldest friend - We've been best buddies for 50+ years! So I hope the charabanc isn't too rocky a ride!

This morning, I searched for Warren Evans beds The Salt Path, and I was amused by Google's AI response. Mistakes were made, and it amused me so much, I thought I'd share it here.

One thing that puzzles me is that "Easy Win-Thomas" wrote a book in effect confessing to embezzling the money, and I seem to remember the publisher (Tim) was selling the book via local shops. Why would you shamelessly do that? They say write about what you know, I suppose...

I think it almost points to a personality disorder. A confessional.

I live near the Saltcpath and a friend had watched the film and criticised it. The Salt Path Scandal is available on I think Netflix and I watched it last night. The Balham book shop shown in the programme is just off Balham High Road near my sister's house, a place I know well.

Balham, gateway to the south- brilliant sketch by Peter Sellers. Sorry, couldn’t resist.

Hi all, checking in for yet another thread full of sleuthery, excitement and spicy revelations! Wonder if this thread will see us through to 2026 or if we’ll be done sooner?

The poster formerly known as AlertCat and then as WearyCat reporting for duty.

One thing that puzzles me is that "Easy Win-Thomas" wrote a book in effect confessing to embezzling the money, and I seem to remember the publisher (Tim) was selling the book via local shops. Why would you shamelessly do that? They say write about what you know, I suppose...

certainly the last Poirot had him as the killer. I think I’ve read a book where the whodunnit author turned killer. Maybe Sal was inspired! Or maybe Tim was, the eminence grise directing operations without getting his hands dirty directly? Honestly, I’m convinced that he was far more involved in this deceit than he appears on the surface.

At the top of this thread, under UP AND COMING, it lists

• BBC Documentary (NB Not involving Our Chloe)

Can someone tell me more about this?

Interesting idea that Tim could have been the one remaining in the background but actually being the puppet master… I don’t know. I certainly think now that he must have known of Sal’s deceit and theft pretty early on. I just have a gut feeling the books would have been her idea.

There was talk of a BBC podcast, which I think this might be referring to. Some journalists tried breaching our ship by contacting some of us. No idea if it is still in the offing.

Good morning, happy new thread to everyone, and thanks to @DisappointedReader for piloting us safely through the darkest days of winter. I think we know whodunnit and I'm quite glad we are not talking about cricket just at the moment (fair play to@Aussiebornandbred and any other Australians on the charabanc) but unlike SallyIzzyRaynor I can't be bothered to change my name. I have been writing about bullshit lately (it is a philosophical term), & idly wondering whether TSP counts as bullshit. I think not, because bullshit is "saying stuff that sounds good without caring whether it's true or not" and I think TSP (etc) is mostly deliberate lies to cover up the facts. But it gets into bullshit territory once SW starts speculating about the curative power of nature. And the current high ambient levels of bullshit may explain why people are willing to accept the books despite them being untrue.

Is there a way to read the observer article if you aren't a subscriber?

I would love to say I am shocked by these latest revelations but I think we all guessed there was something pretty awful from the posts by her relatives when the story first broke

@Aussiebornandbred shared the article in a series of posts in the last thread.

Oooooooh, hello! (This works best said in a 'Kenneth Williamsesque voice). Glad to have caught up with the charabanc, I wasn't paying attention and it was a close run thing at the end. Me and Headless Simon reporting for duty...

I’ve been mulling on the question raised about Moth’s clothes and whether they are relevant. I think they add to the picture we have of him craving attention and admiration. Look at me! Look at me in my hand made cream wedding suit when most boys my age would go to Moss Bros and hire something! Look at me wearing a necktie half way up a mountain! Look at me planking on the trig point! Look at me being an ambassador for charity! Look at me striking poses on the path! Look at my trendy spiky hair!
This fits with what the relatives said in the documentary about him often saying he was ill. Feigning illness is a classic way of attention-seeking.
Moth would rather be the flame that others are drawn to, than a lowly moth.
All of this makes me suspect he has a significant role in the whole thing - whether actively as the puppeteer or more indirectly - SalRay doing whatever is needed to please her man-with-a taste-for-the-good(expensive)-things-in-life.

Would seem a bit pointless - not sure what value they can add at this stage and its surely likely to come out after CH's podcasts. A case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted?