Despite the Great British weather meaning it's either too wet and then doesn't dry up because there's no sun or it's too cold OR it's just..uhm, too cold. I have managed to skate a bit and try out the NBs I posted (All Coast 425s).
The only thing I had was coming from an old pair of Accels I had previous, so the toe box was longer and the rubber was a bit hard on the outer sole. However had a few flips in them and they're skating great now! The 'pleather' is holding up pretty nicely and doesn't feel too soft or too slippery.
I did manage to cop DS NB 868s for real cheap off FleaBay, so they're next in the firing line.