Who Trolled Amber? - Introducing... The Walkers: The real Salt Path

Episode Date: January 7, 2026

Raynor Winn’s memoir The Salt Path was a bestseller and literary phenomenon with millions of people captivated by this true story of financial ruin, terminal illness, and healing through nature. Raynor Winn has since published two more books and The Salt Path has been adapted for the big screen, starring Jason Isaacs and Gillian Anderson.At its heart it is a simple tale, of a couple embarking on a 630 mile trek in the face of stark adversity. When faced with nothing, they chose to walk.But when reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou received a tip-off that the memoir may not be the "unflinchingly honest" account it claimed to be, suddenly things began to unravel. And the questions, about what is and isn't true, began mounting.How far can you bend the truth before it begins to break?Episode 1 will be available to listen on Tuesday 13th January.Subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to binge listen to all 7 episodes on Tuesday 13th January.To find out more about The Observer:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content. Head to our website observer.co.uk Reporter - Chloe HadjimatheouProducer - Matt RussellMusic supervision and sound design - Karla PatellaSound design - Rowan BishopPodcast artwork - Lola Williams Executive producer - Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In early 2025, a member of the public sent me a tip-off that the best-selling author of the Salt Path, Raina Wyn, wasn't exactly who she said she was. Her memoirs about her and her husband Moth told the life-affirming story of walking to wellness, and the books were a literary phenomenon. They sold millions worldwide. Can I welcome to the stage, Rainer Wyn?

So please, everyone, give another warm welcome to Rainer Wyn. Year after year, the salt past success has grown. The couple have become national treasures, and Rainer Wins written two sequels. It is a proper phenomenon. I mean, one of the big sort of ten books of the last five years or so. Spent more than 90 weeks in the Sunday Times bestseller lists. The thing that had made so many people around the world

fall in love with this story was that this couple, battered by bad luck, had survived so much through their own grit and determination. You know, anybody who's read the book, I mean, you can't fail to be touched by it. I think you've helped a lot of people in terms of having hope. But the real gift is this book. It would change your life. Then, last year, the book was turned into a Hollywood film.

You're walking the path? Yes, we are. That's a long old hike. Yeah. Retired, are you? Open up, Mr. Baylitz. Homeless, actually. We lost everything.

But I had so many questions about what was and wasn't true. Were Rainer and Moth really homeless? Did they really walk the entire 630 miles southwest coastal path as they claimed? And how was Moth defying medical science following a diagnosis for a terminal illness? I'm Chloe Hajimotho, and from Tortoise Investigates and the Observer, this is The Walkers. the real salt path. It's quite surreal really to see someone who you knew had done some quite terrible things

to be put up as this symbol of hope for people who were struggling. Everything is wrong. All of this is a lie. This isn't the person she depicts. You know, she sold three, four books and a movie on the back of lies. How far can you bend the tree?

before it begins to break. The Walkers launches on Tuesday the 13th of January. Search for the Walkers on your favourite podcast platform and follow the feed to make sure you don't miss the first episode. To listen to the entire series on Tuesday the 13th of January, subscribe to The Observer. You can subscribe using the link in the show notes.