'The Salt Path' by Raynor Winn - Book Impressions

Raynor Winn, Pub: Penguin, Pub Date: 2018, Format: Audiobook, Completed: Jan 2024

About Raynor:

Raynor is a British writer and author of 3 books: The Salt Path (the first book), The Wild Silence (the follow-up book), and Landlines. The Salt Path became a best seller in 2018. After completing the South West Coast Path, Raynor became a long-distance walker and writer on nature, homelessness, and wild camping – all topics explored in The Salt Path.

My Impressions:

This book was recommended to me by my Airbnb owner as I went on my own journey along the Jurassic Coastal Path - part of the South West Coast Path. When I returned to work following this trip, a colleague also recommended it. So there was no way I was going to pass this up!

I found the book inspirational, insightful, uplifting, educational, and thought provoking.

I learned about homelessness. How it can happen to anyone. The shame attached to it. How prejudice results in negative associations – with people assuming that all homeless people are addicts of some description with mental health problems. It challenged my own way of thinking.

I found myself being angry with the judicial system in the UK. The system allowed Raynor and Moth to become homeless and lose their livelihood. Also, the courts disregarded new evidence that might have changed the outcome.

I admired how Raynor and Moth coped with all of this. Then to top it all, Moth was diagnosed with a terminal life-changing condition, which would affect his memory and his function over time. All of these changes in 1 week. What a difference a week makes.

I was left wondering what happened to the support from their friends. There did not seem to be much of it! Even if only to give a roof over their heads, somewhere to call home until they had a chance to come to terms with the situation and formulate a plan.

The impact of the South West Coast path walk was evident throughout to both Raynor and Moth: Improvements in mental and physical health; a sense of purpose when normal daily routines and agendas had gone; the slowing down of life and room to think. The healing power of nature at work.

I loved the descriptions of camping in the wild. Time to ‘smell the roses’. Swimming in the sea. Being warmed by the sun. Washing clothes in rock pools.

I was reminded of the adventures that happened along the way during my own walks. The conversations with strangers. Bumping into the same people time and time again. Adventures along the way. Taking the time to just be part of whatever arose.

The impact of this book stayed with me, long after I had listened to it. I did not want it to end. It cuts deep into the humanity of self. It’s a reminder to us to open our hearts to others. There were many references to Raynor and Moth giving away food, to those less fortunate than themselves - even though they did not have much.

My only criticism was the constant reference to 50 year olds as being ‘oldies’. It grated on me. Fifty is not old!!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is going through a bad time and needs some form of inspiration. Also, to those who enjoy being out in nature. I plan to read the follow-up book at some point.

My Favourite Quote:

"Life is now, this minute. It’s all we have. It’s all we need.” - Raynor Winn, ‘The Salt Path’