Triumph over adversity

ARRIVING ON UK BOOKSHELVES IN A TIME OF PLAGUE, The Salt Path by Raynor Winn has touched a chord in Britain’s national psyche. It’s not only a classic tale of triumph over adversity, of winning out against the odds when everything seems bleak, but also positive and life affirming. So, we shouldn’t be surprised that this inspirational and uplifting book is also an international bestseller sold in 13 languages.

The story begins with a double whammy: within days Raynor and her husband, Moth, lose their house and savings to an investment in a friend’s business that goes sour, and Moth is diagnosed with an incurable and probably terminal brain disease.

Faced with the loss of their home, their livelihood and their hope, they take the impulsive decision to walk the 630-mile long South West Coast Path, now part of the larger England Coast Path. “Are you mad?”, their daughter wonders. With little money and only what they can carry with them, they set of from Minehead in Somerset, to walk around the rugged coast of Devon and Cornwall, via Land’s End, to Poole Harbour in Dorset. It’s a journey that takes them on as many ups and downs as the undulating coast, and teaches them the value of hope and determination — and the healing power of nature. Along the way, they survive on pasties and noodles, almost lose their tent to the rising tide, and meet all manner of interesting locals, rough sleepers, sages and fellow travellers. They swim in the moonlit waves, recite poetry to earn money, and are wined and dined by generous holidaymakers.

The constant walking and wild camping makes them stronger, both physical and mentally.

This is an engrossing and inspirational book about inner courage and nature’s ability to heal, that was shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards and the Wainwright Golden Beer Book Prize.

— John Jones

Publisher: Penguin Books
ISBN: 978-1-405937-18-4
Number of pages: 288 

RRP: £9.99