Ah, absolutely no need to apologize for commenting in length! This is exactly why we do have a comment section here; so that people can share their stories =) And you write in a lively manner, so that the reader can easily imagine the things happening like watching a movie.

It just took me some time to reply, as we still have experienced occasional power outs for several hours each day. That, and I've been working.

That Lehman's pump looks like a miniature version of the one I've been dreaming of =) I think we also have some smaller, cheaper, imported ones for sale, too. Then, on the other hand, I was also thinking of a modern version, which is both small and efficient. It still costs some money, but might be worth the investment, if I plan to use the pump on daily basis - a pump outdoors would be handy for getting drinking water for the horses and to fill the sauna tub (or the garden bathtub). http://www.nira.fi/en/product/44979/1101/nira-6b-hand-pump-with-1-flange...

Hehe - if you unscrew the pump head and only attach it when you need it, that way it will also be safe from any damage caused by the roaming cattle =)