Woman who inspired Hollywood film relives emotions

Raynor Winn and her husband Moth faced a very difficult time in their lives when they lost their home and Moth was diagnosed with a rare brain disease called Corticobasal Degeneration. This illness has no cure and affects the brain's ability to control movement and other functions. After losing their dream home in Wales due to financial problems, the couple decided to embark on a remarkable journey. They walked the entire South West Coastal Path, a 630-mile trail that stretches from Somerset to Dorset, passing through Devon and Cornwall. This path is England's longest uninterrupted coastal walk and offered them a way to find hope and purpose during a very dark period.

Raynor wrote a memoir about their experience called The Salt Path, which was published in 2018. The book received widespread praise and was shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize, an award that celebrates outstanding travel writing. The story captures the emotional and physical challenges they faced while walking the path with Moth's illness progressing. The journey was not just about walking but about survival, love, and finding strength in the face of uncertainty. The couple had nowhere else to go and no clear future, but the walk gave them a goal and a reason to keep moving forward.

Their story was later turned into a film starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, which began filming in 2023. Raynor described the experience of seeing their story on screen as very emotional, bringing her back to the difficult moments they lived through. The film focuses on the feelings and the present moment, encouraging viewers to appreciate the now. Meanwhile, Raynor and Moth continue to raise funds for research into Corticobasal Degeneration, hoping to help others affected by this incurable disease. Their journey is a powerful example of resilience, love, and hope in the face of life's toughest challenges.