Bill Colegrave has collected and been inspired by travel books for more than four decades. He also published them as owner of Cadogan Guides. His own book Halfway House to Heaven (2011) tells the story of his journey up the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan to find the source of the Oxus River in the High Pamirs. He has visited more than 110 countries. He has represented Great Britain (seniors) at real tennis and also in the World Pétanque Championships. He lives in London.