Raynor Winn/Sally Walker issues Statement

www.raynorwinn.co.uk/

I think the damage is done now, and the situation isn’t that portrayed in the book, or certainly not quite the same.The film will tank.

People can be so gullible. It reminds me of the Captain Tom debacle.
Sometimes I think I'm too cynical, but then I realise I just have good instincts...

It’s too late for that to happen Oreo. It’s been out for a few weeks, I read yesterday that it’s the third most successful UK film of 2025 already, it’s taken millions at the box office. I can’t see it going much further now though.

The Rest is Entertainment podcast is discussing it this week with some interesting insights into the world of publishing.

Can issue all the statements they want. I neither read the overhyped book nor watched the overhyped film. I hope the money was worth it for them as they have no friends and no credibility left.

keepingquiet

People can be so gullible. It reminds me of the Captain Tom debacle.
Sometimes I think I'm too cynical, but then I realise I just have good instincts...

I agree. Something as in the Major Tom affair made me feel uncomfortable
Apart from the descriptions of their walks, nothing seemed to add up, when I read the book. I think that, I too, have good instincts.
It was our book group choice a couple of years ago. One of our members, who is blind, said that she had never “read” such a lot of twaddle! I agreed with her.

Isn’t it funny how you get feelings. I did about Captain Toms daughter and when reading all about The Salt Path I did get the same feeling about this lady but can’t put my finger on why
I can’t believe the Observer would publish all those details without proof or they would be sued and completely wrung out They must be pretty sure of their facts they are not such a sensational paper as some of the other newspapers

Very disappointed in this couple. I was brought up to trust people but realise that you can't trust anyone now.

Does cynicism come with sagacity and great age? Sometimes, although I’m very trusting to the point of gullibility, I feel like that.

I think naivety comes from wanting the world to be a good place, cynicism comes from realising it isn't.

I mentioned on the other thread that it often is not a good idea to ignore out instincts. That feeling that 'something is off' can often be very helpful.

There is now an item in the Daily Mail (admittedly not the most reputable source) saying they fell out with the kind chap who allowed them to live at a cider farm - despite having giving interviews at the time saying how wonderful it was and that they were devoting their time to rewilding it.
I'd have a bit more sympathy for them if they had compensated all the small businesses they stole from while doing the walk, but there's no sign of that being done

eddiecat78

There is now an item in the Daily Mail (admittedly not the most reputable source) saying they fell out with the kind chap who allowed them to live at a cider farm - despite having giving interviews at the time saying how wonderful it was and that they were devoting their time to rewilding it.
I'd have a bit more sympathy for them if they had compensated all the small businesses they stole from while doing the walk, but there's no sign of that being done

It’s true. She talks about it in her second book The Wild Silence. The wealthy guy allowed them to live there and rewild his land. She wrote that they were very suspicious of his motives and I believe they fell out with him, as they do with most people.

They are well turned out, lean, white ,middle class people. Imagine a couple of people not quite so photogenic having this tale made into a film.

keepingquiet

I think naivety comes from wanting the world to be a good place, cynicism comes from realising it isn't.

Yes, absolutely!

droopydraws

Very disappointed in this couple. I was brought up to trust people but realise that you can't trust anyone now.

Hi droopydraws. I hope you dont really mean you cant trust anyone. Maybe just not everyone. I know for myself and my friends, we are trustworthy and no doubt GNetters too. Just need to be realistic and discerning.

“The diagnosis doesn't come from a simple test, but rather from a long and complex route of observation, where sufferers may have symptoms for many years before they finally reach a diagnosis.
“Even then, many sufferers' symptoms present in an atypical way. They might not present with the same symptoms, occurring in the same order, or with the same severity. As I've explained many times in my books, we will always be grateful that Moth's version of CBS is indolent, its slow progression has allowed us time to discover how walking helps him. Others aren't so lucky.”
This is what she said. I know my doctor said to me once that miracle cures are the result of a misdiagnosis in the first place. What annoys me about this is that I fear that, as per usual, it will result in people with ME or long covid not being taken seriously. I could understand if ‘ Moth’ had suffered from eg ME because sufferers can have good days and bad day ( bad days sometimes resulting in being bed bound for long periods of time) although with that the worst thing that sufferers can do is push themselves. Or maybe as an outdoor person he might have been suffering from Lyme disease, something under diagnosed and often ignored by doctors. If I’d known Gigspanner were not going to be performing Saltlines I would have gone to see them. They don’t deserve to have their tour ruined by her.

Yes, discerning is a good word.

There is so much hype in the media about the latest book/film/art/music etc sometimes it's hard to sift out what is quality and what is rubbish.

We seem to over rely on others when making our judgements, though sometimes it is good to try new things I suppose.

I didn't read the book but did see the film and was very disappointed, boring with no on screen chemistry between the couple. If the latest revelations are true then it's amazing that it wasn't discovered earlier and if the aim was just to make money then why not just publish the book and film as a works of fiction?

I read the book a few years ago, didn’t enjoy it at all, it wasn’t well written and all the way through it I kept feeling that something didn’t ring true. A guy who was supposedly dying’ is walking miles each day hmmm…..
I was astonished to see that they had made a film of it to be honest!

I read the book when it was first published because I love the SW coastline and have walked a lot of it . I didn’t really enjoy it and something about her story just didn’t ring true ….and she really annoyed me !!!!
So when all this came out about the validity of her story I felt that maybe my instincts had been correct…. We shall see!

I read the book ages ago, and can't remember all the details but thought they had admitted to having had financial/housing/health problems which was why they had hit the road. Maybe I am missing the point. So, I'm not quite sure what all the fuss is about. Not seen the film though.

I read the book as it was on my book club list. We all felt there was 'something' not gelling in the story but not sure why. I just thought she must be too good to be true but was impressed. I wondered where all the money she made from her books, speaking tours and film rights was going and if anything was going to thank those who helped her along the way. I was going to see the film this week - not going now.