The Salt Path by Raynor Win [Review]

I didn’t choose to read The Salt Path, instead a Book Club did. They chose it thinking around the theme of mental health. At a time in my life where I was embarking on a big change, a new job after walking the Camino to Santiago, the blurb caught my eye and really resonated with me. I’d just walked 150 miles along the Camino through Portugal and Spain and the experience touched me, gave me a Camino family and the all important headspace to think outside of the everyday. So when this book arrived and I quickly fell into the pages I was excited to follow Ray and Moth in their journey, from choosing to walk the South West Coast Path, to actually walking it, then taking their final steps on the path and the realisation that such a walk is never really complete. In fact it stays with you far longer than the blisters, the achy muscles or the weathered tan you picked up along the way. Walking in this way can be a transformative experience.

This was one of those books that was easy to sink into, to turn each page and get absorbed deeper into their story. Yes it’s filled with hardship, unfortunate circumstances leading Ray and Moth to begin the walk, but ultimately it’s a story of love, determination and togetherness no matter what.

At the beginning of the book we learn of Moth’s terminal diagnosis and how the couples world crumbles further as their family home is taken away by bailiffs. An investment gone wrong left them with almost, practically, nothing just a few stragglers of belongings. Most importantly they still had each other, for whatever time Moth may have left.

With few appealing choices now facing them the two decide to embark on an adventure. Having lost so much they couldn’t afford to rent so throw everything they have, financially and at heart, into the 630 miles of the South West Coast Path.

Starting their journey they can only admit to doing part of it as Moth’s body aches and groans under the pressure of walking day in day out, carrying everything on his weary back, the strain of his illness ever present. Ray and Moth walk and walk, finding a new home among the nature wild camping night after night and feeling the security of their tent, the canvas becoming the only roof above their head they would need.

“We were everything we wanted to be and everything we didn’t. And we were free, free to be all those things, and stronger because of them. Skin on longed-for skin, life could wait, time could wait, death could wait. This second in the millions of seconds was the only one, the only one that we could live in. I was home, there was nothing left to search for, he was my home.” — Raynor Winn, The Salt Path

Themes

As they pass through the countryside the story centres around a few key themes. The obvious being loss: loss of home, loss of health, loss of a clear direction. After spending a lifetime creating the life and the home they loved what is there to do when it is all lost and taken from you?

There’s also the overwhelming theme of the strength of family and relationships: their relationship with the house, the memories of the place and what it means to them, their relationship with their children and one another. The incredible bond that supports Ray and Moth through so much physical and emotional toil, particularly on hearing the death sentence of a terminal illness. I cannot imagine how to endure something so final but their strength is unbreakable and their love inspiring.

Nature is one of the strongest underlying themes throughout the course of this book. A true constant in their journey and one that pushes them through each and every mile. Both seem to thrive in the wilderness, relishing the sea and the streams for bathing, relaxing and nourishment, and feeling uplifted by the wind at their side, even through the darker, stormier days. Then there’s the wildlife, from cows rustling around the tent, to swarms of ladybirds wishing good luck, dogs peeing on the tent or birds sending greetings from above.

This book bestows the wonder of nature as healer as their bodies soften to the physical endurance of the challenge and the elements, and soon their minds follow as if finding clarity in the fresh sea air.

“If we hadn’t done this there’d always have been things we wouldn’t have known, a part of ourselves we wouldn’t have found, resilience we didn’t know we had.” — Raynor Winn, The Salt Path

I found this book to be truly beautifully written. It was both poignant and down right funny at times but Ray also carefully weaves in some interesting facts helping immerse you in the place, the history and culture of it all. These factual threads appear throughout the novel but don’t detract from the narrative or storytelling at all. One moment you’re in the brambles with Ray and Moth, the next reading the history of lighthouses or of Damien Hirst’s statue of pregnant lady Verity. Before you realise you’re somewhere else historically Ray gently brings you back to their present, back to their challenge, their love and their warmth that oozes from the pages.

This is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a long time, even photographing several of my favourite quotes and as such can’t help but give it 5 out of 5 stars. I would recommend to anyone looking for an inspirational tale of love and peril and ultimately of finding hope even in the darkest of days.

Have you read The Salt Path? I’d love to know what you think about this book and how it inspired you.

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Originally posted on Sage Adventures travel & wellness lifestyle blog: www.sageadventres.co.uk.