After 43 years in his job, paramedic Bob Morgan might have been expected to relish the prospect of retirement.
But the 61-year-old, one of Wales' longest-serving ambulance men, found himself unable to face the prospect of giving up, and is back in his old post.
Even when he packed in work in Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent, he spent a month working part-time.
"After all this time the thought of actually finishing frightened me to death," he said.
"As I was happy in my job I didn't see any point in leaving."
His working life began at British Rail as he was too young to follow in his father's footsteps by joining the ambulance service in Newport.
"I always tell trainees that no matter what treatment they provide for patients they will always be remembered more for their attitude"
He then gained driving experience by working for a chain of local shops and joined Newport Council's parks department.
In 1965 he joined the ambulance service, which at that time was also run by the council.
He said: "Anyone with a St John Ambulance or Red Cross first-aid certificate got an extra three shillings a week, which is amazing when you consider how things have changed and the level of skill and knowledge required these days.
"It's also frightening to think that most ambulances then were single-manned."
After training in 1969, Mr Morgan was based at the Albert Street depot for 10 years before becoming station officer. Among his roles was divisional officer for Gwent, and he was transferred to Cardiff where he served for many years before returning to Gwent.
He said: "Over the years I've attended numerous serious incidents, but one particularly nasty one was a few years ago when a double-decker bus hit a low bridge.
"There have been dramatic changes in the service over the years but I always tell trainees that no matter what treatment they provide for patients they will always be remembered more for their attitude."
Mr Morgan's wife, Patricia, is also an ambulance technician in Monmouthshire, and has two years until she retires.
He said: "At that stage I'll probably go as well."
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