The next step was to look at stock blanks and had semi selected 3 from a plain but well grained one to a nicely marked 1/4 sawn one to a flat sawn one with more grain but no colour but after a conversation with Brian (from NZ Walnut Supplies) I bought this blank..

The other side is not as well figured but I think that if I set the stock well to the right side of the blank I will cut back into a bit more figure.

This is the walnut supply outlet http://www.nzwalnut.co.nz/