After losing their home and facing terminal illness, Raynor Winn and her husband Moth (opposite) spent a year walking the South West Coast Path. Her memoir, became an instant bestseller. Here’s the extraordinary story of what happened next…

When Country Living last caught up with you [August 2019], you’d been on the road for 630 miles. Remind us why...

Our lives had been suddenly turned upside down: my husband Moth had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and we became homeless, thanks to a bad investment. We had nothing to lose, so we decided to go for a very long walk. We didn’t know what the future held but, by the time we finished, Moth was rejuvenated (against all medical odds) and we were both physically and mentally stronger.

But you were still homeless. Where did you go?

After hearing our story, a kind stranger offered us a flat at the back of an old chapel. We moved to a beautiful Cornish village and Moth began a degree in horticulture and garden design. In many ways, we were so lucky…

Was it hard readjusting to life within four walls?

Returning to normal life after such an adventure was more challenging than I expected. I found sleeping in a bed difficult after so much time in a tent – so I put one up in the bedroom because it felt safe. I was anxious, too, and struggled to trust people. Villagers were curious about who I was and where

I’d come from, so I became withdrawn as a result.

How was it for Moth?

Sitting down all the time meant his health started to decline.

I was worried that he might forget the experience we’d had together. That’s when I began writing The Salt Path. As his illness progressed, I wanted him to remember what we’d done. I did it for Moth but writing the book also saved me. As I wrote, I relived the experience and the process made me feel strong again. My daughter Rowan encouraged me to submit my manuscript to the publisher. I couldn’t believe it when they actually responded.

Hundreds of thousands bought your book. How does that feel?

If I had known how many people would read it, I wouldn’t have gone into so much information about my bowel habits! I’m not a gregarious person, so I was terrified when my publisher asked me to attend events and sit on stages. But receiving hundreds of letters