FFF
As far as I was aware it was always the case.
I wrote to the SRG at the CAA and asked for clarification in 2002.
They replied and confirmed it was 2 landings away from the point of origin, 300NM total, and had to be completed in one 24 hour period (1 day). It can be a straight line route.
Even the application form has one box for one date so they can find the entries in your logbook.
Obviously you were lucky & got away with it, or the old UK CPL was less strict than the JAA CPL, plus it only lasts for 5 years now.
TTFN
FB