Strange intermittent symbols on upper left

I'm in the process of adapting a template and I have found some strange things.

1 Occasionally I see a strange code "" or similar at the upper far left of the page. I am assuming it is coding error, but I find it interesting that it is intermittent and will many times disappear when refreshing the screen or clicking "home". But it returns as weirdly as it goes away.

2. The "navBreadcrumb" navigation varies in size and the size of the following text varies with refreshing as well. Sometimes it is so small I can't read it, other times it is normal but the following text is too big.

3. What is the best way to get rid of the the "Congratulations you've successfully installed ZenCart" text removed? I think much of these problems were due to inappropriately removing it from the index page (I think). It is not accessible from the define main page area in the admin area.

Thanks for your suggestions in advance.

1 & 2) What template are you using? If you switch back to one of the templates included in the install do you have the same issues?

3. https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=129

I've been toying with the Cherry red template. I haven't tried changing back to the default, but will try it.

Try it because if the problem doesn't occur with one of the default templates, then it's something in the template files. Perhaps you changed something that's causing it.

Yeh I'm betting it has something to do with #3 above. What IS the best way of getting rid of this text?