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It is quite common to see that most of the people or even companies struggling from problems related to their computers. Most of the time and money they spend in fixing the problems but after sometime it’s the same. So are you also suffering from such problems and want to have any permanent solution? Do you want to know about genuine Irvine computer services that can offer complete peace of mind?
If your answer is yes, then it is best for you to look at Runner Boys. Runner Boys is a company located in Irvine, California that is known to have highly trained Microsoft Certified Engineers standing by to help you with all your computer related problems. The best part of this Orange County computer repair providing company is that it offers comprehensive support for all your home computers at a very great value.
One important thing about Irvine computer services provided by Runner Boys is that the computer support specialists of this company provide desktop as well as laptop technical support for more than 70 software applications and hardware including all peripherals like scanners, printers etc.
There are many other companies offering Orange county computer repair services, but what puts Runner Boys ahead of others is its specialization in its work area. It is worth to note that this company can help with a range of computer problems from start up errors and device conflicts that can be put under category of simple errors to blue screen errors and system freezing which are bit complicated. Also another specialty of Irvine computer services offered by Runner Boys is that it claims to offer relief from all sorts of headache and hassle of a broken PC with its great vale fixed-free computer repair service.
If you want to know more about Runner Boys and why it is considered as the better choice from other Orange County computer repair providers then it is important to have a look on some of its important features as given below:
1. Complete diagnosis of problem with best solution: The first and the most important feature of Runner Boys is that it believes in going to the root of the problem and then to suggest comprehensive and effective solution for the same. Some of the solutions provided by this company are setting up Parental Control, offering virus and Spyware removal, finding the cause of crashes, lockups, unusual slowness or Internet problems, repairing all sorts of operating system issues etc.

2. Helps in increasing efficiency: Another most important feature of Irvine computer services offered by Runner Boys is that it excels at various troubleshoot issues of computers, it helps in reducing the overall downtime of computers thereby increasing the productivity, efficiency of persons working on them.

3. Offers both In Home services and Business services: the third most important feature of Runner Boys that makes it better choice as compared to other Orange County computer repair offering companies is that it offers both In Home services as well as Business services. There are not many companies offering specialization in both the areas like Runner Boys.

4. Best in prices: The forth most important feature of Runner Boys is that it never compromises with the quality of its services and charges very reasonable prices for them. It is because of the policy of the company to provide best to its customers at better prices.
So, the above features are enough to compel one to take extraordinary services from Runner Boys

Author Bio.

Runner Boys is a renowned Orange County computer repair providing company. Get the charm of specialized Irvine computer services now!

The role of computers in business as well as home is known to everyone. Today, it is not wrong to say that computer is a very important part of our business as well as family. The role of computers is even more for businesses as they are even must for their survival.

Thus it can be interpreted easily that computers are very essential for successful running of your business and even they are important for your home. After analyzing the importance of computers the general problem that often troubles most of the people is how to avoid their computers from getting out of order or damaged.

The answer to above question is with the help of following some useful tips and by taking services from only genuine repair providing company. So if you want to know about one such extraordinary Irvine computer repair providing company that can not only help you to get the best answer of your question how I fix my computer but that can also prevent your computer or other peripherals from getting damaged frequently, then it is advisable to opt for Runner Boys.

Runner Boys is a complete information technology solution providing company. It is a company that can be termed as best Irvine computer repair providing company because it has gained its name with its experience. The company has great experience working with many types of home users as well as businesses across various different industries. Unlike other companies to mere claim to be best Irvine computer repair providing company, this company is no doubt the best one.

So if you want to look for a company that can answer to your question how I should fix my computer, then you can look at some of the services of Runner Boys to help you take your decision without any dilemma. Some of the most important features of Runner Boys that make it an inevitable choice for Irvine computer repair are as under:

1. Best support: The most important feature of Runner Boys is that it offers best support to its customers. It is the goal of the company to offer its customers an extraordinary service that is available round the clock even in odd hours. Unlike other companies where support is not available especially when you need it, Runner Boys offer services at the time you need them, even in inconvenient hours.
2. Guaranteed satisfaction: It is the second most important reason why thousands of people rely on Runner Boys for seeking answers of their question how I fix my computer. It offers guaranteed satisfaction to its customers. In case the customer is not satisfied it is in the policy of company to do best to solve the problem. If you are afraid of time and price, then you need to worry at all as it offers all fast as well as totally free.
3. One of a kind approach: The third most important feature of this one of a kind company that offers wide range of computer services to all businesses in the Orange County area is its extraordinary approach. It is the approach of company to ensure greater systems availability, profitability, and reliability and complete peace of mind. No matter if you are looking for networking, ecommerce or tech support, it is sure to get all at Runner Boys.

Author Bio.

Runner Boys offer best Irvine computer repair services. It is sure to get the best answer of how I fix my computer with Runner Boys only.

Are you not happy with the performance of your PC? Are you not satisfied with the PC repair services of your chosen provider? Do you want to know why so often your PC asks for repair? If any of your answer is yes, then there is immediate need for you to know about various important aspects.
If your PC is not performing well then the first reason can be its inferior quality. However in case you have purchased a branded PC from a branded company and then too you are facing with problems, then problem is not in your PC but in your PC repair provider.
Today market is flooded with companies that serve themselves to give answer to your question how I fix my PC or that offers services for PC repair. But it is important for you to know that these companies instead of making your PC fit create other problems that require their visit again and again and it is how they make their business grow or survive.
Now the most important question that must be arising in your mind would be is it not possible to get rid of such companies? Is there not any company that can provide remedy for your query how I fix my PC and can offer reliable PC repair? Well the answer to these questions is yes, it is possible and the proven which you can trust upon is Runner Boys.
Runner Boys is a company that offers a very wide range of extraordinary services to all businesses in Orange County area. It is a company that has the perfect answers for your question how I fix my PC. Not only that, in case you require any sort of PC repair, then too it is no doubt an inevitable choice.
In order to know more about Runner Boys, it is best to have a quick look on some of the extraordinary features of this company. Some of the useful features of Runner Boys are as under:
1. Work by specialist staff: The first and the most important feature of Runner Boys is that it is the company that never compromises with the quality of its services. Unlike other companies where untrained cheap employees are employed to save costs, this company only employs highly-trained Microsoft Certified Engineers that offer best solution for any of the computer problems.

2. Assistance over phone: The second most important feature of Runner Boys is that it offers solution of most of your computer related problems over phone. This not only helps in saving cost but your precious time as well.

3. Variety of services: The third most important feature of Runner Boys is that it is one company that offers a very huge variety of services. Some of the business services offered by this company are Email hosting and web design, server implementation, VPN installation and configuration, on-site repair plans and maintenance etc. Thus you can avail the advantage of large variety of services at one place only.

4. Round the clock support: The forth most important feature of Runner Boys is that it offers round the clock support for its customers. It is important to note that this company offers assistance even in inconvenient hours.

Author Bio.

For assistance on how I fix my PC , take advice from Runner Boys. Take advantage of guaranteed best PC repair now!

Today, the present age is known as computer age and it is truly right. It is so because it is quite common to see computer present in all walks of life.
The importance of computers can be felt from the fact that no business would grow or even survive without the computers. So if you are still living without a computer, you are surely living in the past. It is often seen that there are several individuals who fear buying computers for their household. The main reason they give behind not buying computers is that computers often require repair or maintenance.
Similar is the case with companies, there are many companies that instead of buying computers take computers on rent with the agreement that maintenance or repair work would be done by the computer company only. But are such arrangements effective and moreover cost effective? The answer is no! Truly not!
The main reason why most of the companies or people face end number of problems related to computers is not because of the quality of computer but mainly because of the poor services of the companies providing computer repairs. There are end number of companies in the market that just claim to offer good computer repair services but in reality they just make money by providing unsatisfactory services.
So if you want to take advantage of computer repair especially in the Newport Beach, then Runner Boys is the name you must trust upon. Unlike other Newport Beach computer repair providers that just claim to offer best computer repair this company believes in proving than just claiming. There are many reasons that explain why Runner Boys is truly the best computer repair Irvine based company. Some of the main reasons are listed as under:
1. Reliability: The first most important reason why Runner Boys is considered as the best among other computer repair Irvine based companies is that it is the company that works more on the principle of reliability than profit making. Unlike other companies where the aim is just to make profit, this unique Newport Beach computer repair provider believes in offering the best possible services to its customers.

2. Offers time to time best promotions: Today, besides of other things it is also very important that a company should offer some attractive discounts or promotions to its customers. This fact is well known by this computer repair Irvine based company. Runner Boys offers very attractive promotions from time to time for example buy one get one scheme, refer a friend scheme and receive money scheme, desktop + 19” LCD screen for attractive price etc.

3. Best in business services and in-house services: The third most important factor that puts Runner Boys ahead of other Newport Beach computer repair providers is that it is the company that is not only best in offering various extraordinary business services but in-house services as well. There are some computer repair Irvine based providers which are best in either business services or in-house services, but Runner Boys is surely better and above all of them, as it specializes in both the areas.

4. Offers extraordinary support: It is yet another important factor that makes Runner Boys an inevitable choice. The support services offered by Runner Boys also help a lot in making this company a better company than others. It offers round the clock support 24*7 even in odd hours.
There are many other important features that are enough to explain why Runner Boys is the best choice for computer repair and various other services.

Author Bio.

Runner Boys is a trusted computer repair Irvine based provider. It is surely an extraordinary Newport Beach computer repair provider.

Custom Essay Writing Service
This boy`s behavior includes some at-risk aspects. At least three main at-risk behaviors can be identified. These at-risk behaviors are closely connected with each other. That`s why we need a complex of interventions that will interact and influence successfully boy`s development. All interventions should be implemented as integral and correlated system.
The first at-risk behavior concerns boy`s inability of studying. This inability includes two important problems. Firstly, the problem is in difficulties in boy`s studying to read. And secondly, this boy is characterized by attention-deficit disorder. He is just unable to concentrate on what he is studying. Moreover, boy`s behavior has some features of hyperactivity. The matter is that he cannot be still for a long time. He always gets into difficulties with something. This combination is called attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
For this at-risk behavior we should work out the intensive correctional program directed at improving boy`s ability of reading. Firstly, we must attract his attention to studying. In this case we should implement reading of entertaining material. It is very important that this material includes all necessary information about the meaning of words. It can make boy`s reading more understandable and develop his desire for studying.
There can be used two effective methods: some interesting experience. Here we can organize some country excursions, visits to interesting places, exploration of the nature. Boy can be asked to write about this experience. Afterwards he should read what he has written down.
Another approach implies the experience of symbolical representation: theatrical performances, music, and dances. These approaches can be really effective. First of all, because they give students the possibility of discussing some events, problems with teachers as well as with their classmates. There is the possibility of expressing their thoughts and feelings in free and easy way. This kind of activities helps students to study, to read well. Such intensive speech activity helps a child to establish connections between what he already knows and what he is reading at the moment. This makes reading more accessible and interesting.
From the first at-risk behavior the second one comes. It concerns boy`s frustration and lack of persistence in studying. The problem is that boy`s inability to study makes him disbelieve in his capacity of studying. As a result he feels frustrated, unconfident, hopeless and helpless. The boy lacks self-control, he is not interested, he is always daydreaming. He does not believe in his abilities. He becomes incapable of carrying his studies through. In this case our intervention is directed at development of boy`s self-confidence and belief in his own capacities. We will pay much attention to his motivation and his desire to be successful. We can conduct some competitions, for instance, contests in reading speed or expressiveness of reading. But these contests will be sure ones, in which no competitor loses. These contests will help in development of children`s desire to be more successful, better than others. These activities can develop boy`s persistence, striving for studying, willingness to study well.
The third at-risk behavior is connected with boy`s family situation. The family factor is still very important for children of boy`s age. Boy`s father was divorced. This fact is really a stressful event for the boy. Boy`s poor studying is the result of his parents` divorce. The intervention in this situation will consist in psychological help to boy and his father. We will invite a psychologist who will work at creation of spiritual warmth in relations between the boy and his father. Some role-playings, interviews will be conducted. The greater part of psychological help will be conducted with boy`s father in order to make him more attentive to the boy, to his problems in school. We will help father in realization the necessary control of the boy, in their communication and understanding. We will try to create all necessary conditions for boy`s successful studying at home. We are going to point out father`s role in boy`s progress in school, in his good results and proper development.
There can be identified one more boy`s at-risk behavior. It concerns his relations with classmates. They seem to be superficial and inconstant. Our intervention here will consist in the following. We will try to create friendly and benevolent boy`s relations with others. In this case we will implement some tasks presupposing working in groups and collaboration. It is expected to help the boy to make more friends and be closer to the group, to be more self-confident. And at the same time working in groups can make the process of education more easy and interesting for him. These tasks can include some team-work in creating research projects, some theatrical performances, inventing different stories and so on.
Custom Essays Writing Network

Did you receive the MARKETING BOX ?

No. Not from me, but, from the wise marketing people at Land Rover.

You didn`t?

Aw well, looks like I`ll have to let you in on the madness. I didn`t think you`d like it if I kept this treasure mine to myself now would you?

Okay, there`s a knock on the door. It`s the postman. He promptly gives me my mail which included a pale blue box(6 x 10ins) with the words “Inside: the spirit of Freelander”.

Hmm… I thought. Wonder what`s in here? (Well, they did get something right- they got my curiosity up)

I then proceed to rip open the box.

Lo and behold, there was a cut out shape of where a bottle of aftershave or perfume should sit. But what did I find there instead?

A little promotional booklet, about ten pages, with each page being 5×3 ins with the words “You can`t bottle it” on the front of the little booklet.

Okay, so I`m tying in the empty space with the brochure that in essence was their `creative trickery` saying there`s no bottle as we can`t bottle it.

Absurd? Absolutely. Onwards…

I open the booklet. First page: Pic of a Freelander with the words “The go anywhere attitude you get from knowing you`re in a genuine Land Rover”.

The opposite page: half the page blank (don`t know why that was, you can`t sell anything with lots of white space, except for… WHITE SPACE!)

The remainder of the page had little square pictures of grass, water and stones – with the words “impossible to capture”.

The next two pages shows the Land Rover descending from a hill. The words used? “The sheer confidence that Hill Descent Control inspires when faced with a slippery slope” – You just can`t describe it.

Hmm… it gets increasingly worse.

The next page: the words “the constant feeling of control you get from command driving position” with the next page all blank except for “try expressing that one” written on it.

It goes on in that vain for the remaining pages with the basic core message saying “words can`t explain it” and “you`ll know it when you see it”.

Personally, if I was head of Land Rover, and I found that the Ad Agency or in house team had agreed and okayed `THAT PROMOTION`, I`d have fired everyone who contributed to that enormous waste of money.

And, the scary thing is… some one high up in Land Rover DID AGREE for this to go ahead! Amazing.

Here`s what`s running through my head, even after a couple of days had past after receiving the thing:

The copywriters conceded territory to the graphic artists and `creative` people, only because they really didn`t know HOW to have something compelling, educational and important to say.

The idea that significant numbers of people will be drawn to something that`s described in an airy fairy, non descript, fuzzy feel good type of way… is asking for the people in the white coats to come and drag you away.

Here`s what I would have done.

1. Give a sample bottle of the aftershave/perfume tying it into the idea that “wherever you drive the freelander, it`ll be as fresh and as spirited as the joys of nature… even if it`s for the first time or the five hundredth”

2.I`d have enclosed a key. That key openS the door to one of the Freelanders in the showroom. If they pop down, test it, and if the door opens, they get to drive it around for a full fortnight.

In that time, they`d have got used to driving it and may not want to give it back! Also, friends, family and others would`ve noticed and would`ve wanted you to take them for a `spin`.

3. I would have the next newsletter (presuming they do that type of thing!) dedicated to the promotion and would have made a `personality` of the person who won the extended test drive.

4. I would have the booklet full of testimonials of satisfied customers from all walks of life. I would fully describe the driving experience they`d get (note, EXACTLY OPPOSITE from the thinking of the big budget Land Rover people).

For instance, when the description of the Hill descent (”The sheer confidence that Hill Descent Control inspires when faced with a slippery slope” – You just can`t describe it.)

I`d have something along the lines of…

“Imagine having to deal with those incredibly twisty and sheer drop slopes. Especially if you`ve kids and a whole bundle of items in the back. It could spell… DISASTER!

But, not if you`re in a Freelander. You see, with its new Hill Descent Control, you`ll be able to steer and control the Freelander even in the most extreme of conditions. In fact, think how you`ll feel and what type of smile you`ll have on your face when people accuse you of secretly taking advanced driving lessons!”

And I`d pepper the whole little booklet with warm, friendly conversationally written language.

5. I`d also have a FREE PRIZE DRAW with details in the back of the booklet, where the winner would get to visit the Land Rover Plant, get to Drive a Land Rover for 30 days as well as a champagne dinner in Paris .

6. And, those who completed the little form in the back if the booklet would then get communication a couple of weeks later to tell who the winner was, and those who didn`t win would get a half day test drive plus a replica model of a Land Rover.

There`s more, but hey, I`m not going to solve Land Rovers problems in its entirety, here and now. They`ve paid people BIG MONEY to do that for them, right? I mean, just look at the blue box. The moral: Big advertising and marketing money, doesn`t mean Big results or Big thinking. If you`re going to emulate, from big or small businesses, do make sure they`re savvy between the ears.

——

Nick James is a UK based direct marketer and product developer. During the last 5 years Nick has sold in excess of �1.6 Million Pounds worth of products and sevices online. Subscribe to his Free Tip Of The Week email at: http://www.Nick-James.com

Gone are the days when baby showers were designed on generic, age old clichés and ideas. Today, most expectant parents design the baby shower around a theme with most of these themes revolving around the gender of the child to be. Everything is planned and designed according to the theme.

There are three directions or broader themes around which any baby shower party would revolve- boy, girl or twins. So, if you know that the shower party is inclined towards a particular gender of the child to be, then you ought to choose a gift that suits the theme and the general mood of the party.

On the part of the parents as well, it becomes all the more important to design and set their party up in such a way that it speaks volumes about the themes of the party. For a party set around a boy, everything from shower favors, to the centerpiece and the cake should be in consonance with the theme. Darker and more sober colors, such as blue and black should be used appropriately. The choice of baby shower favors boys-type should be kept in mind. Guests should also prepare the gifts accordingly, which might include diapers, pacifiers and boys-toys such as cars, trucks and toy weapons. Be careful that you are not presenting anything that has a potential choking hazard associated with it.

Again, if you know that you are going to be blessed with a baby girl, you should keep the theme more girls centric. Apart from using liberal quantities of pink in décor, food, beverages and cakes, you should be certain that you have narrowed down your choice of favor to baby shower favors girls would love to cherish after looking at their shower pictures and photographs, few years after their birth. Guests should choose their gifts accordingly as well. Clothes containing more shades of pink and red, with frills and ribbons all over should suffice. To add an additional flavor, you can amalgamate your gift with a choice of selected baby-edible chocolates, which girls would just adore.

Finally, you might be one of those lucky few to have been blessed by twin babies. The selection of baby shower favors twins would love becomes all the more important in this case, because it does not happen everyday that a couple is blessed by twins. Instead of one cake, centerpiece and diaper cake, you could have a pair. As another addition, you could orient the party towards the gender of you twin babies, if you happen to know it before delivery. The best case arises if one of the babies would be a girl and the other one would be a boy. In such a situation, the opportunities you have while designing the whole baby shower party are limitless. From colors to cakes to diapers and even food and favors, you can include a whole gamut of supplies, without having to worry too much about the appropriateness of the thing being used relative to the theme.
This author lives in Hampton, NJ with her husband and 5 month old daughter and is an expert contributing author for a luxury baby shower favors boutique offering variety of baby gift baskets, dropship baby gifts, handprint footprint kits and more.

Mount Gunnison was calling as we three 13 year old boys laid our plans and set out on our next Colorado back country adventure. We had studied our Forest Service map and convinced our parents that we knew what we were doing. It seemed fairly straightforward. We would follow the Forest Service trail about a mile toward Minnesota Pass from Beaver Reservoir up the East Fork of Minnesota Creek. To get there you headed southeast from Paonia, Colorado following Minnesota Creek along road 710. Paonia, Colorado, was a quiet little town about 25 miles up in the mountains from Delta, Colorado following highway 92 and 133. Growing up in the area I saw Paonia valley as a Shangri-La. The mountain ringed valley provided a glorious abundance of apples, peaches, cherries, plums, and pears, and the 4th of July was a community celebration called “Cherry Days”.

Completing the Shangri-La illusion, southeast of Paonia, Mount Lamborn and Landsend Peak form an amazingly close mountainous backdrop for the town. East of Lamborn, above Minnesota Creek, Mount Gunnison stands tall, remote and seemingly inaccessible. We three boys meant to change that perspective, taking on the peak, or at least taking a good shot at it. Ron, Larry and I laid out our provisions across the living room floor, checking our lists and divying up the loads accordingly. Larry with his weight training had the dubious honor of the heaviest pack load. Ron and I split the remaining supplies.

Our adventure forty some years ago was outfitted in a pre-modern camping gear era – at least in our lives. My Boy Scout backpack was an open bag into which everything was piled, our tent a piece of tarp strung between two trees. And my bedding – a couple of wool blankets that Mom thought couldn`t get too badly damaged. Interesting the way the world and our expectations change over time.

My folks dropped us off up at the Beaver Reservoir dam, and the adventure began. We excitedly covered the first mile of the trail quickly. Around a mile, a side trail turns sharp left leading around the side of Mount Gunnison, over to Coal Creek on the other side. That was not for us though. It appeared on the map that you could head directly east at that juncture, following HooDoo Creek as it led up a draw toward the summit of Mount Gunnison. You could see the beginnings of a trail heading up that direction – the trail we chose to follow.

The excitement of exploration drove us onward, upward through aspen groves on the lower flanks of Mount Gunnison. Always keeping HooDoo Creek within sight to our left, we followed that narrow, windy trail through the increasingly dense brush. It became apparent that the “trail” we were following was probably a game trail going nowhere in particular. Hitting multiple forks on the path, within an hour of leaving the main Minnesota Pass Trail our trail disappeared completely. Undeterred, we struggled onward and upward through dense brush for another hour or so. The relatively open aspen grove transitioned into dense pine forest, the trek becoming even more challenging as dissension arose within the ranks. It was unclear that there was any easy route through the timber, or which way to go, and some were questioning if we were – lost.

Lost? How could we possibly be lost? Three 13 year old boys way off trail, bumbling around in dense forests on the flanks of Mount Gunnison in the West Elk Wilderness Area – lost – it`s possible. Ron climbed a taller pine in the forest to see if he could make out where we were. It was obvious where we were – in the middle of a deep pine forest somewhere on the side of the mountain.

We seldom apply – lost – to our adventures. Afterall, we spent days and days out exploring the mountains, creeks and draws throughout the whole Paonia valley. As long as we could hear HooDoo Creek cascading down the draw to our north, we hadn`t strayed far from it. We knew we could follow it down to the East Fork of Minnesota Creek and our main trail out.

But the upward trek toward the summit of Mount Gunnison was questionable. The journey became bushwhacking, and the day was waning. So, we halted our upward struggle, worked our way across to HooDoo Creek, and found a wonderful spot on the creek bank under the tall pines to pitch camp.

The tarp strung between trees, the three of us jockeyed for which rock we were going to be sleeping on underneath it. With a fire in the fire ring, we whipped up standard gourmet camp fare – Lipton chicken noodle soup – accompanied by excellent shoestring potatoes and home made cookies. Following rousing camping songs, where we learned that Larry had a budding career in the bluegrass industry, we settled in for a memorable night in the woods.

The following morning dawned cold and rainy. Yes, a little rain into the “tent” during the night, soaked the three of us to the skin. We struck camp early and waded through dripping wet brush, plodding back down from the lower ridges of Mount Gunnison, continuing singing those same great tunes we shared around the campfire. Maybe we understood why there was no trail straight
up next to HooDoo Creek, leading to the top of Mount Gunnison. “Wouldn`t it be great if there were a trail up there?” we laughed, enjoying the view of the peak as we waited at Beaver Reservoir for our ride.

Reflecting back forty-some years on that wonderful adventure, I probably wouldn`t change a thing, except for the gear. And now that I`ve found that I can begin and end that journey in the comfort of nearby motel accommodations in either Cedaredge or Delta found at: http://www.montanaadventure.com/out/state/us-co.html I am excited to re-explore that wonderful area.

As web designer for the Montana Recreation Connection and Colorado Wilderness Tours at
( www.montanaadventure.com/out/state/us-co.html,
Gordon Hollingshead has provided an online travel directory for the past 10 years for people planning theri vacations and travels
throughout the western United States. More information contact Gordon at gordonh@montanaadventure.com.

One of the many tourist attractions in the city of Winchester is Winchester College. It is the oldest, continuously run boys` schools in England and its passed pupils have gone on to be many of Britain`s great politicians, artists and writers. Although a private school, members of the public can gain an insight into the school by simply turning up and going on a guided walk.

The city of Winchester in Hampshire is quite rightly renowned throughout the world for its many treasures. It can arguably boast to have the most beautiful cathedral in all of England. It was also once the ancient capital of England. It was made the capital by one of England`s greatest kings; King Alfred the Great – the only king in England to be given the title `the Great`. Winchester also was his finally resting place, as indeed it was for one of English literature`s greatest novelists, Jane Austen. You can visit both of their resting places in the great city. The city has remained an unspoilt, beautiful and compact city.

Another of its gems is Winchester College. The college was granted its charter in 1382 to Bishop William of Wykeham. Building of the college began in 1387 and the first scholars entered the college in 1394. William of Wykeham, as well as being one of the richest men of his day, was one of the greatest architectural and artistic patrons of his day and his medieval buildings at the College are still in use, mostly for their original purposes. As well as Winchester College, he also founded New College, Oxford. These colleges were on a scale hitherto undreamed of in English education and became the model for Eton, King`s College and Cambridge later in the fifteenth century.

The original college began with 70 scholars, 2 schoolmasters and a warden and ten fellows. Today there are over 600 pupils and over 80 full-time teachers. The facilities of the school are unsurpassed by most other schools in England. Today, these include a concert hall, music school, theatre, science school, art school and physical education centre. The school`s academic record speaks for itself.

Although the school is private, the tourist can avail himself of guided tours. No prior appointment is needed for individuals, though groups will need to book in advance. The tour begins at the Porter`s Gate, which is located on College Street, just through Kingsgate. Tour times can vary but are typically every 2 hours. Times can be found on the chalk board outside the Porter`s Gate.

The visitor can also choose to walk along the river Itchen where one can see the playing fields of the college. The walk along the river is idyllic and will eventually lead you to St Cross Hospital –another ancient place of worship, founded to relieve the poor of the parish.

If you have the time, a tour of Winchester College is well worth while. You`ll enter a world that very few of us rarely have the chance to experience.

Robin O`Brien lives and works in Winchester and is founder of Winchester-tourist-information.com. You can find out more about Winchester College and book on-line to stay in one of the many fine hotels in Winchester.

The tradition of `Hunting the Wran` or the `Wren` is to some degree alive in Ireland at Christmas. Once a common event throughout Ireland, it now takes place in certain towns and villages on St. Stephen’s Day, the day after Christmas Day.

People dress up in old clothes and paint their faces, wear straw hats and travel from door to door singing, dancing and playing music. Find out more about this very unusual age-old Irish Christmas custom…

Long ago in Ireland, young boys and men known as `The Wren Boys` would go out into the woods. They would hunt for and then kill a wren and then parade the dead bird through the town on top of a decorated pole. Charming eh?

There is a lot of speculation as where this tradition stems from. One story says that long ago there was a plan by Irish soldiers to ambush a Viking soldier camp and a whole bunch of wrens pecked on the Viking soldiers drums and woke them up just in time for the plan to fail. The Irish soldiers were defeated. From then on, the wren was known as the bird of the devil.

The poor little Wren is also blamed for the betraying the Christian martyr St. Stephen when was in hiding by making noises, hence the reason for hunting the Wren on St. Stephen`s Day.

Of course, the little wren was considered the `King of all birds` in Celtic mythology, as it is said that the birds had a contest to see who could fly the highest. The clever wren flew higher than the eagle by sitting on the eagles back as it soared high and then the wren could fly even higher when the eagle got tired. So this custom of hunting the wren could also stem from Pagan times.

In the old days it was a real wren that was killed and placed on the top of the pole and the “wren boys” would carry it around to houses and beg for money to bury the bird as it was considered to be evil.

The Wren Boys would sing this traditional song at each house:

The Wran, the wran
the king of all Birds
on St. Stephen’s Day
it was caught in the furze,
up with the kettle
and down with the pan
give me a penny
to bury the wran.

This ancient tradition can still be seen in certain town and villages in Ireland and it really is a sight to behold! The Wren Boys march through the streets dressed in traditional attire (usually something made from straw) to the beat of drums and they stop off in bars along the way to play traditional music. Money is still collected but this is given to charity and of course a wren is not killed anymore but some Wren Boys march with a fake bird.

If you happen to be in the south west of Ireland this Christmas then pop along to see this unusual celebration in the picturesque town of Dingle in County Kerry where it is very much alive. The Dingle Wren Festival draws spectators from far and wide who come to take part in the fun, enjoy the music and the craic, or just to experience and see an age old Irish tradition that has been handed down through the years.

There are also Wren Day celebrations in Dublin on St. Stephen’s Day, which have become part of the annual festivities in the city. Musicians from all over come playing every kind of traditional instrument, like bodhrans, bagpipes and tinwhistles. The entertainment begins in Sandymount usually around 12 noon. The funds from this particular Wren celebration normally go to a local charity.

Actually, the famous Irish writer John B. Keane based his novel `The Bodhran Maker` on the activities of the Wren Boys in his native County Kerry – it`s a really good read!

Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website http://www.GoIreland.com

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