Ray Wood claims he is Welsh. He once explored the spine of Africa on a Vespa scooter. He published his debut short story when he was a first year apprentice in a steel works. He has taught mathematics and run a wilderness expedition outfit. A prolific inventor of marine and off-road equipment he is a graduate of the University of Cape Town. With his wife Robyn, he sails a 37 foot sloop and visits far-flung corners of the world using an elderly Australian built Land Rover. They live in a heritage grocery store in West Vancouver and share the space with an African Grey parrot and an unsociable Bengal cat.