The Salt Path: The 75-week Sunday Times bestseller that has inspired over half a million readers

Read with Gloucester Book Club. Ray Winn’s memoir written for her husband so that as his neurological condition progresses, he will be reminded of what they achieved. Whilst I admire Ray and Moth’s determination and unfaltering commitment to walk the 630 mile south west coastal path, I’m not sure I would have taken the same decisions in the same set of circumstances, but I’m disinclined to take risks. At times, it really did not sound at all enjoyable but they kept going, and I’m glad it turned out ok in the end. For me the narrative dragged a little, but the book finishes with a hopeful ending and it was undoubtedly a fantastic achievement.

St Just Thursday Evening Reading Group 4th July 2019.

The salt path. Raynor Winn.

This book generated a lot of interest amongst the reading group because of its location – most of us are familiar with sections of the South West Coastal Path and know some of the areas very well. Everybody, perhaps, was impressed with the achievement of Raynor and Moth in completing their walk under the most adverse of circumstances, and admired their persistence and fortitude in dealing with the challenge. Some readers had attended a talk by Raynor Winn in Mousehole, and reported that Raynor is still writing, including magazine articles, that Moth is reasonably well and has completed his university degree, and that they do now have a place to live. We all wish them well.

The meeting discussed a lot of issues which arose out of the book, including homelessness and how society treats the homeless; how begging is dealt with; how crime is committed mostly upon the vulnerable; and our personal connections with the places in the book.

We talked about the author's writing style, which some admired but others found slightly sentimental. We were also told (by those who had been to Raynor Winn's talk) that the book was written originally as a diary, so that Raynor could recall all the incidents of the journey and relate them to Moth, and was then later edited and put into narrative form – this explains, perhaps, some of the style of the book and its emphases and possible omissions. Some readers felt, for instance, that there was too much repetition of their plight, with continuous reiterations about the reasons for their homelessness; others suspected that there had been some editing for dramatic effect.

The book was uplifting, we thought, in terms of the human achievement detailed in it, and the refusal of Raynor and Moth to give in to their circumstances, and to remain independent and stay clear of either charity or state help, no matter how physically uncomfortable they might have to be. But there were a lot of questions raised by the account as well. How was it that they got into such dire financial circumstances in the first place? Why did their so-called 'friends' treat them so badly? (one depriving them of their home and business, and another promising them accommodation in return for manual work and then renting the place to someone else without notifying them). How might Raynor have felt if Moth's condition had been worsened by the journey, or even caused his death? Why did they not use the sea to wash in, if showers were unavailable? Why did they not organise cheaper and more nutritious food, instead of eating expensive cafe meals and pot noodles?

Other points raised were that Raynor and Moth, though in extremely difficult circumstances, did have their mental health and were (just about) physically capable of walking the path – possibly their account may suggest that anybody, no matter what their position, should resolve their difficulties in the same way as they did – by undertaking a long-distance walk. If they could do it, anybody could, being the implication. This takes no account of people whose circumstances might be just as bad as theirs, but are unable to do what they did. It was also pointed out that no matter how independently Raynor and Moth behaved, they still had in place the safety-net of the NHS and the rescue services if they had needed them. Also, the nature of the South West Coastal Path, which exists as a promoted tourist and leisure facility, serviced by cafes and camping sites etc who earn a living from the walkers, might not have been the best environment for Raynor and Moth when they had hardly any money. Though they were treated with a distinct lack of charity, even being charged for water, they must have realised that services were hardly likely to be free or even cheap – the businesses concerned expect payment and their customers are usually in a position to pay. Perhaps a less commercialised tour might have been better for them.

The book obviously made quite a big impact on this West Cornwall reading group, some of it positive and some less so. Whilst this was an uplifting book in some respects, some readers found it frustrating (to read about how they managed their affairs); some found it saddening (to find out that so few people en route tried to listen to their story or help them or offer them a meal and a safe place to camp); and some suspected that the whole story was not being told here. Particularly we would like to have heard Moth's point of view. Quite possibly the reading group would like to follow up this book, find out how Raynor and Moth get on with their new lives, and read more of Raynor's writing when it appears.

A mixed rucksack of opinions for our first foray into non-fiction. Most enjoyed the book others gave up quickly, either finding the descriptions of paths tedious or were irritated by the actions of the author and her husband.
Everyone liked the concept of the book and admired the scale of their undertaking. We discussed the severity of Moth and Raynor’s situation and wondered what we would do in the same circumstances. Some felt walking the coastal path became a sabbatical between their previous life and their future. We discussed the recklessness of such a challenge in light of Moth’s illness and diagnosis but could identify with the need to do something when there’s no plan. Moth and Raynor’s lack of preparedness (in particular forgetting Moth’s medication) irritated some despite their problems. Others felt their approach to life was pretty hapless and the more cynical amongst us wondered if they started the walk with a book deal in mind. There was disapproval for not paying their way on some occasions. Moth and Raynor’s children (who had also lost their family home) didn’t seem to feature much in their lives during the two stages of their walk but perhaps Raynor deliberately chose not to write about their children.
The couple encounter homeless people during their journey but we all suspected homelessness is a bigger problem than it is described in the book, especially in Plymouth and the larger towns.
All of us who have visited the South West enjoyed the descriptions of the scenery, could visualise many of the places visited. One of the group particularly enjoyed the encounter with the commandos. Others liked the thought hugging the sea, others had vertigo at just the thought!
Overall for most it was an enjoyable read but perhaps the beautiful cover didn’t quite live up to expectations. It’s one we wanted to like more (Group Review).

An account of walking the south west coastal path from Minehead to Poole after Raynor and her husband "Moth" lost their family home and livelihood and "Moth" had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. It sounds a grim premise but I found the account of wild camping along the route in the face of both the elements and such adversity uplifting.