Arrh me hearties, having visited NHSCs across the country I can assuredly say Castle Hill, Newfoundland, is my favourite. To be sure, bye, the old canon and crumbled fortifications evoke the past but it is the setting that is incomparable. The site from on high overlooks Placentia (Plaisance to the French) with its crescent beach, sweeping bay and natural harbour. This strategic location is sheltered behind two headlands and was the French capital on the east coast before Louisbourg. Castle Hill exchanged hands between Britain and France on several occasions, finally being given up by the latter in 1713. Even the Basques from Spain knew it and exploited its nearby fishery resources. When the sun glints on the bay below there’s no place like it. To boot, just round the corner is Argentia where Churchill and Eisenhower had a famous confab.