[VikingPhotography]

Just gotten word that I'm cleared to cover the UFC 70 event taking place at the MEN Arena on Saturday 21st April.

The press conference takes place on the 19th and the weigh-in happens on the 20th and, as such, I might be down for the full three nights - at the very least I'll be in town overnight on the Saturday night.

Before I rush off and book a hotel - are there any Mancunians out there that would be able to provide a roof over my head for my trip? I'd be happy to get the beers and grub in as a thank-you.

Alternatively, if anyone knows of a good B&B that's not too far from the city centre (broadband / WiFi would be a bonus!) then that'll be a massive help too.

Thanks in advance.

[Steve]

No help to you now as I have moved to Germany but I used to live in Manchester and would have gladly given you a roof for the full three days.

With regards to B&B's I can't really give you much advice as I never used any with having my home there but I would probably recommend Travel Lodge's or something similiar. As the MEN is on the corner of Trinity way and Victoria Street you'll probably want something fairly close to there. A quick search turned up THIS and while I have never stayed there its location is pretty good to the city centre (5 mins) Salford Quays (2mins) and MEN (5mins).

Also for extra information...directly opposite the entrance to the MEN car park is Dutton Street. Providing you get there at the right time (early enough if there is a event on) then you can park for free, do not leave any valuables in the car though and especially not camera/laptop etc. The whole of Manchester is pretty bad for car crime and its simply not worth the risk. Finally on event day you will have lots of men along Trinity Way advertising Car parking for the Event, ignore them completely and go to either Dutton Street or use the MEN car park, the latter while not cheap is still cheaper than the rouges on Trinity Way and is secure during the event.

Hope that helps and if you need any more info just shout, I'll be glad to help were I can

[VikingPhotography]

Thanks Steve - turns out almost all the B&B's listed over at yell.com were fully booked... something about it being a football weekend? I did mangage to find one (link Map showing HOLLY LODGE in M9 5XS) for £25/night... my only other option would have been a stay at the Premier Travel Inn down at the GMex centre... there were two others available in the city centre but they only had smoking rooms, and I didn't fancy putting up with the smell of that for the duration... not for the £60/night that they charge anyways!

I'm taking the train down for the duration since I far prefer public transport - that way I don't have the worry of finding a parking space... all I'll do is jump in a cab and I'm off.

The laptop etc. fits in the camera bag and I've got a 3G card for it, so I can wire images on site straight after the press conference and weigh-in. The night of the fight will be a different matter since I won't be able to send anything until after the last bout, and I'll probably do that from the comfort of my hotel room.

The only unknown issue that I'm facing is lens rental: we've been advised that photo positions for the fights won't be allocated until the 20th - and some of the spots are above the arena shooting downwars. The email advised that all photographers should have access to a 600mm lens and tripod in case they're allocated one of these spots, so I've put a reserve on a 400 f/2.8 from Calumet.... just over £60 for the weekend hire, but a £5K deposit required

I've got the deposit covered but would prefer to be shooting ringside... and this also means I have to lug my tripod down with me just in case. That's now been four occasions in the last year where I've needed the use of a 400mm, so it looks like I'm going to have to stump up for one of my own soon; I can just feel the hole that's going to leave in my bank balance. Fortunately the missus agrees that it's a necessary purchase

All that I need to do now is find out the decent places to grab a lunch and dinner at - there's always the safe options of Starbucks, BK etc. but I prefer "real" food such as Chinese, Italian and so on...

BTW: I have many, many relations in Germany, spread all over the country - whereabouts do you call home over there?