The Salt Path by Raynor WinnMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A really uplifting true story by Raynor Winn about her coming to terms with the hand that life has dealt her and her husband, Moth. He's ill; they've lost their family house that they put everything in to thanks to an ill advised investment. Now what?
Not wishing to burden their friends with their presence longer than necessary, they make the brave and irrational decision to walk the 630 miles South West Coast Path, wild camping along the way with just whatever they can fit in their rucksacks. From Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall with a guide by Paddy Dillon and a worn out copy of Beowulf to accompany them no their way.
Whilst definitely sad, The Salt Path shows how having an aim, a goal, a shared interest can help in the most dire of situations. Even Moth's health seemingly improves along the way. They meet many who can't possibly believe what it is they're attempting, though sometimes neither can they.
What I really enjoyed about this book was how Winn combines a beautifully descriptive writing style to talk about the geological, wildlife and other features that make up the famous British coast line, with the logistics about surviving on a shoestring; trying desperately to make every penny count, finding places to camp, food to eat and even just simply finding places to wash and go to the toilet. Winn also discusses the seriousness of homelessness in this country. Having lived it, she knows how difficult it is and how the official statistics don't nearly reflect the severity of the problem of homelessness in the UK.
The writing style really is beautiful throughout, and it really brought back these places I remember visiting from all those family holidays to the seaside growing up. How they survive at all is humbling, and their encounters along the way make this a truly absorbing story. I really recommend this to anyone who wants an moving and uplifting read.
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