The Salt Path by Raynor Wynn

In May 2023, I walked the South West Coastal Path from St Ives to Falmouth in Cornwall over two weeks, staying mostly in B&Bs. So, I was interested when the travel agent alerted me to a new movie based on this book. Ray and her husband, Moth, lost their home and their livelihood in the same week Moth was diagnosed with an incurable neurodegenerative disease. Hiding under the stairs as the bailiff was knocking on their door Ray saw a book on the path and was drawn to walking it.

Homeless and with very little resources they commenced walking the path in Minehead, from west to east. Encountering wild weather, often cold, hungry, unwashed and sunburnt, they lived their lives close to nature. In their first year they reached the halfway point when they received an offer of accommodation for the winter. Next year, they travelled to the end of the path near Poole on the English Channel and commenced walking, from east to west, to the midway point to complete their journey.

The constant exercise and exposure to nature helped improve Moth’s health and the loss of their material possessions led them to find the very essence of themselves. Unlike my B&Bs, they lived wild in a flimsy tent. When others learned they were homeless, they were often shunned even though they did not meet the false stereotypical view of mental illness or addiction.

Ray subsequently wrote a second book, The Wild Silence, the subject of an interview at a Writers Festival, in which she talks about her experiences. You can view it here.

I recommend it highly.

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FAQs: The Salt Path by Raynor Wynn

What is The Salt Path about and why is it powerful?

The Salt Path is a memoir by Raynor Winn about her and her husband Moth walking the entire South West Coastal Path in England (630 miles) after losing their home and facing serious illness. It becomes powerful because it turns hardship into a journey, showing how nature, resilience, and love can reshape identity in crisis. It reminds readers that sometimes what is lost opens room for what truly matters. (Source: Wikipedia; The Salt Path reviews)

How does Winn use nature to explore grief and healing?

Winn walks through coastline, cliffs and sea, using the natural world as companion, teacher, and witness. Nature becomes both backdrop and balm. Critics note she finds healing in sweeping landscapes, wild weather, and small kindness from strangers. One review describes how her journey becomes “life-affirming” not because danger is absent but because presence and attention to each moment become sacred. (Source: Linda’s Book Bag review; Reading Ladies review)

What themes of home and identity appear in The Salt Path?

Home in The Salt Path is less about property and more about belonging. Losing their home forces Winn and Moth to seek what truly anchors them. Identity shifts from roles and possessions to relationships, walking, being present. They discover that home might be found in the salt air, the sea spray, the kindness of strangers and in a shared walk. This evokes how many spiritual seekers find deeper sense of self when external anchors fall away. (Source: Wikipedia; Book reviews)

Why is The Salt Path relevant to spiritual seekers today?

Because it answers modern hunger for meaning in struggle. In a world where many feel untethered by loss, illness or systemic injustice, Winn’s memoir shows how walking through pain with awareness can yield compassion, humility, and purpose. The book was a Sunday Times bestseller and won the RSL Christopher Bland Prize in 2019, which shows many people resonate with its message of hope. (Source: Wikipedia; RSL Christopher Bland Prize)

What lessons can spiritual growth take from The Salt Path?

First, that movement (literal or symbolic) can move the soul. Walking forces slowness, attention, discomfort - each useful for spiritual awareness. Second, that vulnerability need not shame but can open doors to empathy and connection. And third, that small, steady acts - putting one foot in front of another, showing up in nature, staying present to loss - can lead to deep transformation. Many readers report feeling called to spend more time outside or to simplify after reading Winn’s story. (Source: Book reviews; testimonials)

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About the Author - Robert Van Mourik

Robert, a co-founder and guiding presence within St Lucia Spirituality, brings a wealth of insight and dedication to our community. While his roots lie in the Catholic tradition, Robert's spiritual journey has been one of profound inquiry and introspection, spanning many decades in search of what he terms "a coherent worldview."

Drawing inspiration from luminaries such as Anthony de Mello, Richard Rohr, Diarmuid O’Murchu, and Ilia Delio, Robert's quest for spiritual truth has been shaped by the wisdom gleaned from countless authors and mentors. Their insights have served as guiding beacons, illuminating the path towards deeper understanding and connection.

It was in the shared bond of seeking spiritual growth that Robert first crossed paths with John, their encounters over coffee in 2012 marking the genesis of a transformative journey. These intimate gatherings, fuelled by conversations on influential books and the evolving landscape of their perspectives, soon blossomed into vibrant small groups and virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom.

Through newsletters, discussion papers, and a shared commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue, Robert has played an instrumental role in nurturing the thriving community of seekers within St Lucia Spirituality. His dedication to facilitating growth, exploration, and connection reflects the essence of the community's ethos - a journey of discovery and transformation, embarked upon together.