First up the new keyboard that I ordered has shipped, but the delivery date is about three or four weeks out. It was however pretty cheap and remarkably easy to install. So the technical aspect is looking good.
And the computer itself is fine. The keyboard base is a solid plastic sheet that protects the sensitive internals from idiots with the among other things. So there are no other issues than the dead keyboard.
Finally my wonderful brother, who doubles as the family IT guy, loaned me his old wireless keyboard - on which I am currently typing - and now I can get back to my regularly schedualed internet usage and probably more importantly, my writing.