IN Victoria it was supposed to be the rain-sodden weekend from hell.

Well, it sure was wet, no doubt about that. But hell? Not at all says the HeraldSun.

When the clouds opened they unleashed a wet and wonderful blessing from heaven - a gift from Mother Nature to Gippsland that turned Friday's fearful frowns into yesterday's beaming smiles.

Everywhere you looked, anywhere you drove, everyone you spoke to, the sense of relief never varied.

Start with the farmers, who were acting yesterday as if they had just won Tatts.

"We were desperate for this rain, very desperate," Bill Heggie said.

"I have been in Tambo Upper for 25 years, and this would have to be one of the driest springs we have had.

"This has been a good soaking, and most of the dams are getting to the full mark, so this should see us through to Christmas."

Rather than pelting down as predicted, the rain fell softly and slowly, soaking into the parched paddocks rather than cascading off the surface and vanishing down the nearest creek.

By sundown yesterday you could almost see the fields going green before your eyes in the country between Sale and Orbost.

Up to 160mm of rain over parts of Gippsland, but the weather bureau ruled out any flood threat, reports the HeraldSun.

Even under the low, grey skies it was a beautiful sight.

State Emergency Service officials were even happier, hardly believing their luck.

With memories of two disastrous floods in as many years, they were dreading the worst.

Read more on the HeraldSun online.