On my QXC, I had to make the required landings at Norwhich and Southend. Into Norwich there was a rain shower over the end of the runway and an incoming 737. They advised me to make a left hand orbit on a right hand circuit. Ie away from the circuit. On completing the orbit the 737 was still on final, so was advised by ATC to set a swquak code and ineffect turn left out the circuit and rejoin on the downwind leg, making it a big orbit. This was the first time I had done an orbit in the circuit and was pretty hairy as it was on my QXC but soon realised that the ATC new what they where doing and prompty guided me accordingly.
On the 2nd leg I was landing into Southend. Left hand circuits into 06. ATC told me to do 1 orbit to the right, They even told me it wa because the plane in front was slower than me and to keep the spacing. I guess like most we put our confidence in these people, It certainly helped me to know why I was doing them rather than just being told " orbit " with out any clear instruction.