Grey is the only way to describe the summer we’ve been having in this corner of the planet. It has never ranked as one of my favourite colours, so I expected that finding photographs to represent it might prove a bit of a challenge, but I was wrong. Here are some greys (and grays seeing as all of these shots are US based) that I found. First, one of the mightiest hewn-stone constructions of the western world, the New Croton Dam north of New York City.

A grey river of volcanic debris at Mount St Helens in southern Washington.

A pushy grey squirrel in New York’s Battery Park took up camp right next to me on a bench.

A Boston street performer in silvery grey.

A feisty raccoon acting all cutesy in Central Park.

The grey sidewalks and metal gratings of Times Square are a perfect contrast to the neon overhead, and they hide a secret sound installation for those who know where to find it.

Well, I have a whole new appreciation for the colour now that I’ve actually started looking more closely at it. If you would like to get your grey matter working and join in this week’s theme (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:

• Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Grey
• Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
• Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
• Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS!

xxx Ailsa

I grew up with the sea, and poverty for me was sumptuous; then I lost the sea and found all luxuries grey and poverty unbearable. – Albert Camus

We grow grey in our spirit long before we grow grey in our hair. – Charles Lamb