Where was this? (Don't be shy - just helps with the answer!)
Could be due to Noise abatement etc. I think that the solution (and there were plenty!) was OK, and it warms me to know you can all see each other, which is more likely if you are above the cct traffic.
Also, there may have been an instrument approach due. Therefore, to have you going dead side and then crosswind blocks the climb out lane in the event of a go-around.
Either way, I don't know the full workings of the tower involved, but the controller (if not too busy) might have told you what was going on.
Finally, if anything like this happens then when you have landed call the tower. Though not all will be happy in explaining themselves, I for one would apologise when necessary, or take time to explain why we do seemingly silly things to you VFR chaps!
Does this help?!?!?