Took about 4 hours, but we did it ! Eric came over around 7 pm. We skinned her, cut off her legs at the knee joints. Couldn't lower her from the pulley, so Eric cut her head off and I steered her onto the table. Rolled it all outside into the rain, and washed her down with the hosepipe.
Took her back into the shed, sharpened the knives again and one on each side of the table, set about cutting her up. Think we did fairly well. He brought the wrong bag, Lizs' jeans and shoes instead of the hacksaw, knives and most of all, my butcher book ! Oh well, how hard can it be ? So we muddled through. He'd shot her in the butt, so we had through and through bullet holes in both sides, but his side was more mushed than mine, so I shared a third or so of my side, keeping the part with the hole. Shared the neck, may make good soup or broth. Cut the backbone in half too, taking ½ out to the chicken house. They'll enjoy it tomorrow :). Closed the gates so that the dogs can't steal it. Gave them each a fore leg and the odd small pieces. I was surprised at how much fat she had. Layers of hard fat.
Salted the hide on top of the last Jersey one down in the lower barn so that Eric can work it some time in the future. He also took ⅔ of our half of the ribs for smoking. I kept the other piece and will marinade it to see if it's any good. Sort of research for the next one. We will make hamburger out of some of it next weekend. Looking forwars to making biltong and sausage, maybe some droewors too :). Not sure how much meat we each got, will weigh it when I package it after further processing but we were both happy.
I'm exhausted. Heating some milk to make a mug of hot chocolate, then off to shower and bed. I can smell the blood on me. Missed calls from my dad and sister, will call them tomorrow.
Herbie didn't come out to see how we were doing before going to bed. It's cold and raining, can't say I blame him. His version, pay the $80 to have it processed, and pick up the packaged meat in a week ! But I'm glad we did it. It was hard work, but besides a small cut on my finger, I cut up ½ a deer ! If only my South African friends could see me now :). Maybe we'll eat the loins tomorrow :).