There’s a specific kind of nostalgia that comes with digging through old pictures hard drives. Recently, I found myself looking back at a set of images I took in Mablethorpe about nine years ago.

Mablethorpe has always had that classic, unfussy British seaside charm, but seeing these shots again reminded me how much and how little can change in a decade.

The Evolution of a Shot

On my 500px profile, I’ve long hosted a shot from this trip featuring a bright blue picket fence. At the time, I loved how that bold primary colour cut through the muted greys of the Lincolnshire Seaside sky.

However, looking at them with fresh eyes today, I find myself drawn to a different perspective. In the second version without the fence, I’d stepped past the fence to let the beach speak for itself. Without that blue anchor, the image feels much more expansive and timeless. It’s just the sand, the surf, and that endless North Sea horizon. Funny how our tastes as photographers shift over nine years. I also remember this as my ‘Gursky’ phase.

A Seaside Mystery: The Beach Cafe

Then there’s The Beach Cafe. With its retro lettering and blue-panelled windows, it looked like a perfect relic of mid-century coastal England back then.

Looking at this photo now, I can’t help but wonder if it’s still there. Nine years is a long time for any seaside business to weather the salt air and the changing seasons. Does anyone know if The Beach Cafe still stands? If you’re a local or have visited recently, I’d love to hear if this little slice of history is still serving tea by the front.