Cricket: Matthew Boyce in charity walk
Leicestershire batsman Matthew Boyce admits that he currently finds "walking" difficult.
Perhaps that is only to be expected of a player who finds it tough to give up his wicket. But Boyce is talking about the mechanics of getting from A to B – or, in his case, John O'Groats to Land's End.
The County player is currently undertaking that 1,137-mile marathon – off-road – in aid of mental health charity Mind and the Professional Cricketers' Association benevolent fund.
And 200 miles into the journey, he acknowledged the scale of the task.
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"I'm feeling pretty good," he said as he reached Fort William.
"My body isn't as sore as I thought it would be. The only issues I have are with my feet. I've only had one blister but I have got a sore heel.
"But it is tough work. It is hard going walking for six hours a day. I'm beginning to realise how much of a challenge this is.
"It is tougher than I thought it would be. I just thought 'walking is walking, you do it every day'.
"But it isn't that easy when you have to do it over some of the terrain I've been over!
"It is like the evolution of man," he laughed. "I wake up in the morning and, when I start walking, I'm hunched over taking small steps.
"By a mile, though, I've straightened myself out and away we go."
So far – unlike during his day job this summer – Boyce has been well treated by the weather with just the odd shower around, even if it is a bit chilly this time of year in Scotland.
He has had good support through the early passages, too, and though there is a spell coming up when he will have to walk on his own, the left-hander will then be joined by team-mate Alex Wyatt for four days.
Further down the line, a group of Leicestershire players will back him in the Peak District as the 66-day journey to Cornwall continues.
"That seems a long way off," Boyce said. "But everyone has been good supporting me and my friends have been texting me."
Details of Boyce's travels, and how to donate to his cause, can be found by going to the website:
www.mattboycecharitywalk.co.uk
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