Friday Foxer #227

This week’s handmade co-op puzzle won’t defox itself. If you’re a dab hand at quizzes, lateral thinking, and search engine sleuthing, why not help out.

The ‘cluster foxer’ is regarded by some as the most demanding form. Solving one involves identifying 25 pictures and five hidden themes. The enlargeable mosaic below consists of five interlocked picture clusters (some possible cluster arrangements are shown above) each with its own theme. Themes have nothing in common with each other. Don’t be surprised to find, for example, “Crocodiles”, “Tulip mania”, “Words beginning with “ter””, “1948” and “Fictional policemen” sharing a puzzle. A picture’s connection to a particular theme won’t always be literal. An image of the Brandenburg Gate is just as likely to be part of a “Bach” cluster as a “Berlin” one.

In an attempt to ensure as many people as possible get a chance to participate, Roman requests defoxers solve no more than five squares per person on Day 1, and guess no more than one cluster theme. (After 24 hours have elapsed, fill your boots!). Use your ration to complete an entire horizontal or vertical line before anyone else to win ‘Connect 5’ bragging rights.

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SOLUTIONS

Last week’s ‘33 Words Or Word Sequences Wot Can Be Found In The October 28th, 1972 Issue Of Look And Learn’ missing vowels foxer:

1. HPTRCHY – HEPTARCHY (Colonel_K)
2. DRDNLLS – DARDANELLES (Zwack23)
3. FRYFRF LY – FAIREY FIREFLY (copperbottom)
4. FLT WYHS – FLEETWAY HOUSE (copperbottom)
5. WL DBSS SSN – WOULD-BE ASSASSIN (Aergistal)
6. DSSDSW R – DISUSED SEWER
7. TRQCNC LLNGPR PRTS – TORQUE-CANCELLING PROPERTIES (Colonel_K)
8. ST DTLRDR WNGSTS – STAEDTLER DRAWING SETS (Colonel_K)
9. MT TNDB LY – MOTTE AND BAILEY (Colonel_K, copperbottom)
10. L RDJHNR XTN – LORD JOHN ROXTON (Aergistal)
11. THHR RRT HTHN TDHWT HRN – THE HORROR THAT HAUNTED HAWTHORN (Colonel_K)

12. RHNLND – RHINELAND (Mrs Nutfield)
13. CMC LBDGS – COMICAL BUDGIES (Colonel_K)
14. RGN TNNBY – ARGENTINIAN BOY (Colonel_K)
15. LVNGQRT RS – LIVING QUARTERS (Nutfield and Mrs Nutfield)
16. SFM RM R – SEA OF MARMARA (Colonel_K)
17. PRHNSL – PREHENSILE (Jimbob)
18. HG HPTCL LRY – HIGH PIT COLLIERY (Jimbob)
19. SHRTLG GDNG HTPRW LR – SHORT-LEGGED NIGHT PROWLER (Zwack23)
20. HLSL SS – HAILE SELASSIE (Colonel_K)
21. DC TRDLTTL – DOCTOR DOOLITTLE (Aergistal)
22. HLFT RKS HBL LTS – HAIL OF TURKISH BULLETS (Colonel_K)

23. SLVTR D – SLAVE TRADE (Mrs Nutfield)
24. MRC RNYR – MERCURIAN YEAR (copperbottom)
25. DD SBB – ADDIS ABABA (Aergistal)
26. NDRCRRG – UNDERCARRIAGE (Aergistal)
27. KLLT HHGN TS – KILL THE HUGUENOTS (Aergistal)
28. TR RNTDCK – TORRENT DUCK (Colonel_K)
29. CLDR NFSTPF YN GHT – CAULDRON OF STUPEFYING HEAT (Aergistal)
30. MR TRNDP STL – MORTAR AND PESTLE (Colonel_K)
31. F MSDV YLMP – FAMOUS DAVY LAMP (Nutfield)
32. THC KDVNSHRC RM – THICK DEVONSHIRE CREAM (Nutfield)
33. GR NSHS PYL QDCL L DCHYM – A GREENISH SOUPY LIQUID CALLED CHYME (Aergistal)