I also always understood that the farthest from the MC should be bled first....hmmm.

Agreed, My 1969 Mini workshop manual just says to loosen the bleed valve and pump the brake pedal until no more air comes out (or something along those lines). I have a 1981 and a 1985 Haynes and the both have the same order as I mentioned in my first post. I will probably still keep doing it my own way, it's served me good for a couple of generations.

I looked in one of my manuals ( Mini Cooper Owners Workshop Manual, Autobook 802) and there is no mention of an order for bleeding.

I bleed my brakes all 4 wheels at the same time. I place a bottle at each wheel with about an inch of brake fluid in each bottle. I put a hose on each bleeder valve and put the hose in the bottle with the hose in the brake fluid. I make sure the master cylinder is full, I pump the pedal and watch the fluid level in each bottle. When one of the bottles start to get fluid, I close that bleeder valve. I repeat that until the fluid level in the next bottle goes up, I close that bleeder valve, and continue until fluid has gone into each bottle, and all the bleeder valves are closed. You have to make sure the master cylinder is full while doing this. The way you have been doing it is the other way I always have done it.

Well slap my thighs and call me Susan!

All my DIY mechanical years (50 or more) I've been bleeding brakes (single circuit) wrong. I was told to start at the furthest wheel from the master cylinder and work towards the master cylinder. Well picking up Mr. Haynes' manual they state just about the opposite start at the front left, front right, rear left, rear right (right hand drive car). I guess I need to bleed my Minis (3) brakes again!