Take a seat

I needed a seat after hurrying to avoid 3 inquisitive horses. I am not brave , they are so big and these were very curious or lonely.   Bizarrely, this memorial bench is in the middle of fields. It reads "Mel 1947- 2009 "Left early for no good reason".    Looks out of place surrounded by sheep and cows but Mel must have liked it. 
And looking at the photo more closely- what is that box high up on the trunk?