Dream come true for woman after visiting Devon

Jennifer Kloester said the stairway, with alternating block steps, to the lighthouse was exactly the same as the model

A woman from Australia said her childhood dream came true after visiting the Plymouth breakwater and lighthouse.

Jennifer Kloester, who lives just outside of Melbourne, said her five times great grandfather was the superintending engineer for the construction of the Plymouth breakwater and lighthouse and when she was a child, she would play with a model version of the lighthouse.

She has a medallion awarded to her ancestor William Stuart which on one side commemorates the building of the breakwater (1811-1848) and on the other side the completion of the lighthouse (1842-1844).

She said it was always her dream to visit and while she was in England with a "few days to spare" she contacted Cattewater Harbour Commissioners and explained her connection.

Jennifer Kloester said she used to play with the model lighthouse with her siblings when they were children and has fond memories

However, it was not a straightforward trip as the breakwater is owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), therefore the commissioners had to seek "special permission".

Talking about her visit on 26 June with a friend she said: "Nothing prepared me for the reality.

"As you get closer and closer to the lighthouse, the model that you have known since you were born just gets bigger and bigger. Suddenly the model is real.

"It was so magical; it was an extraordinary experience, and it is an exact replica of the lighthouse."

Jennifer Kloester said the model version of the Plymouth breakwater lighthouse was about 18in (46cm) tall

She explained the steps on the model version, which stands about 18in (46cm) high, was the exact same in person as they alternate in blocks. She also explained feeling a connection to her five times great grandfather.

Mrs Kloester said: "It was just really moving and emotional. It was beautiful and I could imagine him there.

"When we got onto the breakwater, it is just vast and when you think they didn't have electricity or battery-operated tools or any of the things that we have today, it really is the old meaning of the word awesome.

"You were just in awe."

She added the team made her feel as if she was "royalty".

Evie Smith said the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners had to seek special permission from the MoD to make Jennifer Kloester's childhood dream come true

Evie Smith, business support officer from Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, said "not just anyone" could visit the breakwater and lighthouse.

She said: "We had to speak to the MoD to get special permission and explained the story.

"It was visible how emotional she was when we were on the breakwater and how important it was to her."

Jennifer Kloester said the Cattewater Harbour Commissioner team treated her as if she was royalty

Ms Smith said: "It was great for us because we obviously got to see it and experience it with her, but we got to see it from a different side as well.

"It was good for us to think back to how it was built, learn about the history and not just reflect on what it provides for us today."