A Journey of Hope and Resilience

A woman who traveled through the southwest coastal path with her husband said that a film showing her journey has brought back difficult memories. Raynor Winn, a writer from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, lost her dream house in Wales in 2013 due to a financial dispute. This was after her husband, Moth, was diagnosed with corticobasal degeneration (CBD), a rare brain disease.

The Journey Begins

With nothing to lose, the couple embarked on a 630-mile hike from Somerset to Dorset via Devon and Cornwall. This journey through England’s greatest uninterrupted path has now been turned into a film, The Salt Path, starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. Raynor Winn said that when they were about to lose their house and the bailiffs were at the door, they hid under the stairs, not ready to face reality.

Finding Solace in Nature

In a desperate moment, Raynor found a book about someone who had walked the coastal path with their dog. This inspired them to pack their bags and take a walk. The journey gave them a sense of purpose, especially since Moth’s illness had no treatment or cure. Raynor said, "We didn’t have to go anywhere. We knew that when we got out of the door, we would be homeless. Moth’s illness had no treatment or no cure. I was drawn to follow a line on the map. It gave us a purpose, and that’s what it did."

From Book to Film

Five years after their adventure, in 2018, Raynor published her memoirs, The Salt Path. The book received nationwide recognition and was shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize 2018, an award that celebrates travel writing. Just a few months after the book’s publication, Raynor was approached by a producer who wanted to turn her story into a film. The film was shot in the summer of 2023 and stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs as the couple.

A Film That Captures the Emotions

Raynor said that the film "brought back all the emotions that were so difficult." The producer and director have created something that is sparse in dialogue but huge in emotions. The film asks everyone to focus on their own emotions and experiences, making it a unique and personal journey for each viewer. Raynor said, "It makes no sense. I remember the day we met. There was a knock on the door, and Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs were outside. You told me I should put on the kettle. That shouldn’t happen to a girl from Melton Mowbray." The film is a testament to the couple’s resilience and hope in the face of adversity.