I don’t know if it is being in France that sharpens the wit but my two favourite personal stories of beautiful punning happened while in France, and both happened while in the company of my sister D and her husband Milo.

The first was some years ago when all four of us were in a rented house in Ceret, just under Mount Canagou.
There was a swimming pool which had under water lights by the house and we were known to take a dip after dinner to enjoy the amazing feeling of swimming under water, lit up, in all senses of the words, while the world was in darkness.
On one particular night when brother in law Milo decided not to join us and the three of us were cavorting loudly in the pool he decided to inform us that there was washing up to be done.
Inspired by the night and the water I informed him that he, being out of the pool, should be the one to do this washing up.
“The rule is” I informed the irate brother in law “Sink or Swim”

The next bon mot was delivered by Sile only last Easter and this one on the terrace of La Presbytere in Thezan. Sile declares that it was unconscious but I have my doubts.
Milo (again the luckless foil) asked Sile what she thought of Bono accepting a knighthood.
Sile’s reply was a masterful piece of deathless prose.
“Well Milo” she said “ I suppose he is entitled”