BYALPHAINDIA, seems to be some time since your last visit to MAN - the second runway has been 05R/23L for around one year now
Me too prefer the south side the first part of the day. But contrary to you BYALPHAINDIA I prefer to be further down along the runway to get the aircraft rotating - like this
I haven't tested the first part, but it must be possible to take the Travelodge shuttle bus from the terminal to the nearby Travelodge Manchester Airport. From the hotel it's only a 15 minutes walk along the Old Wilmslow Road past the Romper to the Aviation Viewing Park. As a added bonus you will get a close view of the only Second World War hangar left at MAN (just across the road from the Romper).
Kurt